Swahili Fun

Poa Kichizi kama ndizi – crazy cool like a banana
Yeap that's me!

Noamba bia baridi sana tafadhali – I would like a very cold beer please

Habari? – How are you?

Mzuri sana – Very well
Na wewe? – And you?

Jina langu ni Juliana – my name is Juliana

Lala salama – Sleep well

Hakuna matata – no worries


I hope i get to see one of these little bushbabies this time around!!!

Tickets are confirmed! Wooohooo! Killi here I come!!!

24 JUL 11 - SUNDAY 

DELTA 9349 COACH CLASS EQUIP-BOEING 777 JET

LV: AMSTERDAM 1020A NONSTOP MILES- 4278 CONFIRMED 

AR: KILIMANJARO 745P ELAPSED TIME- 8:25

BREAKFAST SEAT-15D 

OPERATED BY-KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRL

Training around town...

I'm getting really excited about the trip, days are just flying by!  I can’t believe I leave Denver in 79 days!!!!

I’ve been breaking in my Kili boots and they are starting to get a little more comfortable.

I was told to buy whatever brand felt comfortable but to get the warmest ones with Vibram soles.  After trying about 6 pairs I decided to go with the Asolo ones.  I need to put many more miles on them to get my ankles used to the boots.  I’ve been hiking around golden quite a bit, trying to get some miles around the Mesas and Green Mountain.  

I’m looking forward to starting on some of the 14ers once the snow has melted more though, that will be way nicer! 

Thank you Amber and Lizzie, well and Dechlan for coming along on hikes with me ;-).


*Funny tidbit, when I went to REI to look for boots I had just got down from a hike wearing my old hiking boots.  By old I mean I got them as a gift about 12 years ago, they have REI stamped on the side.  I had REI employees coming around to check out my vintage boots, it was pretty funny, they all thought it was the coolest boot!  :0)

Kili Facts

- Rising 19,340 feet above sea level, Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and the world’s highest free-standing mountain.

- Kilimanjaro lies 205 miles South of the equator and stands on Tanzania’s northern border with Kenya.

- The structure is composed of 3 volcanoes: Kibo (19,340 feet), Mawenzi (16,896 feet), and Shira (13,000 feet).

- Kilimanjaro supports 5 major eco-zones: rainforest, heath, moorland, alpine desert and glaciers.

- With the exception of the summit zone, wildlife is potentially encountered throughout the lower parts of the climb. You may see eland on the northern slopes; black & white colobus monkeys, Sykes monkeys, and tropical boubou in the forest belt; and birds such as sun birds, augur buzzard, mountain hawk eagle, lammergeier and white-naped ravens.

- The name Kilimanjaro has no certain origin, but one of the most popular theories is that it came from KILMA NJARO meaning “shining mountain” in Swahili. The shiny snow on the peak led nearby residents to believe that evil spirits guarded the mountain. This myth could also explain why some referred to NJARO as a demon that caused cold.

- Because they saw fellow tribe members attempt the climb only to disappear or to return deformed from frostbite, the Chagga people—who live at the base of the mountain—for centuries had no desire to climb the mountain they believed was full of evil spirits. 

- In 1889, German geographer Hans Meyer and Austrian mountain climber Ludwig Purtscheller were the first to climb Kilimanjaro.

Trek Details

JULY 26 – Machame Gates to Machame Huts.

The drive from Moshi to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame (located on the lower slopes of the mountain). Once we reach the park gate, climbers are requested to make their final preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen arranging their packs containing the food, water, firewood, and other equipment. Leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail. Lower down, it can be very muddy and very slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea. We continue until we reach the Machame Hut and camp here, at 2,100 meters/10,170ft.

Estimated time: 5 hours.

JULY 27 – Machame Huts to Shira Plateau Camp. Leave the rain forest and continue upward, crossing a little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge at 3,658meters/12,000 ft. Reach Shira Hut campsite. Estimated time: 4 hours.

JULY 28 – Shira Plateau Camp to Barranco Huts via Lava Tower. From the Shira Plateau, we continue east, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast towards the Lava Tower. Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction, which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,876 meters/16,000ft. Continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,860 meters/12,664 ft, set up camp.

 Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day. Estimated time: 6 hours.

JULY 29 – Baranco Huts to Barafu Camp. Leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley (4200m/ 13,780 ft) where the route connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4,600meters/15,100 ft. This completes the South Circuit, which offers views of the

summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and

prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are seen from this

position. This section can also be divided into 2 separate days, where a camp could

be made in the Karanga valley. Estimated time: 8 hours.

JULY 30– Summit Day!!

Early morning, we continue our way to the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5,985 meters/19,635 ft.

This part of the climb takes about 6 hours. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. At Uhuru Peak, we have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite at 3,100 meters (~10,170 ft). This part of the descent takes about 5 hours. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. Beer and soda may be available for purchase at the Mweka Hut -- the only place on this route. Estimated time: 11 hours.

*I leave Denver on July 23rd, arrive at Kilimanjaro Internation Airport on July 4th, evening.  The full day of the 25th is just for recovering from long flight.  

Equipment List

 *Looking at all of this transports me to the mountain!  So exciting!!!

Equipment List

Climbing Equipment

Ski or Trekking poles, adjustable two or three section. 1 pair.

Headlamp, spare bulbs and batteries.

Footwear

Running or tennis shoes. 1 pair to wear around camp and also for safari.

Trekking Boots. 1 pair of warm, sturdy trekking boots in which you can wear a light synthetic

sock under a heavy sock comfortably, either wool or synthetic. Shoes should be very Water

Proof and very Warm.

Gaiters. 1 pair used to keep rocks out of shoes and boots dry.

Wool or Pile Socks. 3 pair heavyweight wool or synthetic socks (wool is warmer) to be worn

over the liner socks. When layering socks, check fit over feet and inside boots. Remember to

keep one fresh, dry pair of socks available at all times. It is very important to buy new socks

regularly as they lose their cushioning over time. Socks with padded shins are especially nice

with boots.

Liner Socks. 3 pair of smooth thin wool, nylon or Capilene to be worn next to the skin. This

reduces the incidence of blisters and hot-spots and makes the outer sock last longer before

needing to be changed. They should fit well with your heavyweight socks.

Technical Clothing

2 pair Lightweight long underwear. Tops & bottoms, Capilene, other synthetic or wool. No

Cotton. Lightweight is preferable as it is more versatile (worn single in warmer conditions and

double layer for colder). Zip-T-neck tops allow more ventilation options. One set of white for

intense sunny days and one pair of dark for faster drying gives the most versatility.

Fleece/Synthetic jacket. Mid- to Heavyweight pile (Polartec 200-300 depending upon cold

tolerance). A full-zip version is easier to put on and has better ventilation than a pullover.

Fleece/Synthetic pants. Lightweight pile (Polartec 200) with full separating side zippers

(This is very important for ventilation and for ease of dressing up or down when conditions

change in the middle of climbing). Suggested: Feathered Friends, North Face, etc.

Down or Synthetic jacket. Medium to heavy weight with hood.

Shell jacket. Gore-Tex, must have good hood. For the jacket we highly recommend a long front

zipper, a roomy rather than snug fit and underarm zips which go well below the armpit.

Shell pants. 1 pair Gore-Tex with full separating side zips. Shell Jacket and pants must fit

over pile insulation

comfortably.

Handwear

Light synthetic gloves. 2 pair pile or similar quick drying material. Should fit comfortably

inside heavy mitts.

Mitts with Gore-Tex shells. 1 pair each. A good pair of ski mittens/gloves work well.

Headwear

Balaclava. Look for a simple lightweight model.

Warm Lightweight pile/wool hat. Hat should cover ears.

Baseball cap or other sun hat. One with a good visor to shade the nose and eyes. Synthetic is

nice as it dries quickly.

Bandana. Used to shade your neck.

Glacier glasses. 100% UV, IR, high quality optical lenses designed for mountain use, must have

side covers, leashes, and a nose guard is particularly helpful. No more than 8% light transmission.

If you wear contact lenses we recommend packing a spare pair of glasses—it is a good idea to

have these with “photo-gray” or equivalent light-sensitive material so they can double as

emergency sunglasses. If you wear glasses we recommend prescription glacier glasses (gray or

amber). Talk to your eye care professional to find out where prescription glacier glasses are

available. Regular sunglasses are not dark enough and do not provide any side protection from the

sun.

Personal Equipment

Backpack. A daypack big enough to carry water bottles, camera, lunch and extra clothing.

3,000 cu.in. max.

Water Bottles: 3 liters minimum capacity. Wide mouth bottles required. Two 1 liter & two .5

liter recommended.

Pee Bottle (1 Liter). For cold nights in the tent. Large mouth, clearly marked bottle.

Pee Funnel (for women). For cold nights in the tent. It is a good idea to practice, practice,

practice.

Sunscreen. SPF 30 or better, 2 small tubes. Make sure that the sunscreen is not older than 6

months. Sunscreen older than six months loses half of its SPF rating.

Lip screen. SPF 40 or better, at least 2 sticks. Not older than 6 months.

2 Bottles of Water Purification tablets or purifier. Suggested Iodine or AquaMira (Noniodine)

Small personal first-aid kit. (Simple and Light) Aspirin (Extra Strength Excedrin is best),

Antibiotic ointment, Moleskin, molefoam, waterproof first-aid tape, athletic tape, Band-Aids,

personal prescriptions, etc. The guides will have extensive first aid kits, so leave anything extra

behind. Please let your guide know about any medical issues before the climb.

Sleeping bag. Expedition quality to at least 100. Down is lighter and less bulky, but more

expensive than synthetics.

Closed Cell foam pad. 1 full-length closed-cell foam.

Self-Inflating pad. 1, 3/4 or full length w/repair kit. No Ultralights.

Traveling

Large Boundary Bags. 1 or 2 for transporting and storing gear. These waterproof bags are

made by Cascade Designs and are needed to keep your clothing dry during transport. If all your

gear will fit into one bag then you will need only one. A second small duffel can be nice for

storing things at the hotel during the expedition. Also, trash bags work well enough to keep

things dry.

Plastic bags. To line stuff sacks to keep gear dry and line pack. Trash Compactor bags are best.

Small pair of binoculars.

Trail snack food items. Bring your favorite energy bars, GU packets for summit day, drink

mixes etc.

Travel clothes. Loose fitting cotton trousers or shorts and short sleeve shirts work well during

the day. Bring a light jacket for town & safari. Evening time can be cooler. We recommend TWO

pairs of trekking pants. Safari lodges are quite nice, so long pants and a nice shirt are

recommended for dining. Bathing suit for hotel pools.

Toiletry bag. Include toilet paper, soap, Wet Wipes toothbrush, towel, Purell hand sanitizer,

foot powder, dust mask, ear plugs etc.

More information on Kili

Machame route

Total hiking distance: Approximately 100 kms

Kilimanjaro - Machame/Mweka Route

Southwestern side of mountain

6 day trek/climb

Summit at 19,635 ft/ 5,985 meters

Start altitude 5,718ft

*At the summit, Uhuru Point, the night time temperatures can range between 0 and -15 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to -26 degrees Celsius). Due to Mount Kilimanjaro's great height, the mountain creates its own weather. It is extremely variable and impossible to predict. Therefore, regardless of when you climb, you should always be prepared for wet days and cold nights.  

*Also known as the “Whiskey” route, the days on Machame are longer and the walks are steeper. The Machame route is considered a relatively difficult route, and is better suited to more adventurous folk and those with some hiking or backpacking experience. You need a minimum of 6 days for this route, although seven days is recommended. The Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied as it passes through a variety of landscapes.

Wooohooo!!!

Here we go friends!  I have two more weeks of classes for this semester and then it's all preparation for Kili and my senior year photojournalism assignment!  I'm really excited for all of the training this summer.  It will be a nice change!