Kilimanjaro Expedition Dispatch
August 8, 2009 – Jan, Amanda and Rob Arrive at High Camp
Hello, this is Jan calling you from Kilimanjaro. It is the end of day 6 and I am standing high at Kosovo camp. The clouds have all cleared, the moon hasn’t come up yet but I can see the glowing lights from the town of Moshi below.
Last night we had our best sleep yet. It was busy at the camp, and it was a challenge to climb out of that camp. The “Barufu” camp is more crowded, but we only stop there for lunch. We arrived at our private Kosovo camp (our high camp) just after noon. It has to be the most glorious camp site, it is absolutely fantastic here!
The eighteen porters we have, the cooks and guides are all in good spirits. They welcomed us again with their rounds and rendition of the “Jambo” song despite losing their elite singer, who had to leave us last night. Unfortunately his father passed away and he went back down the mountain to be with his family.
The camp site, as I said, is glorious. We are well above the clouds during the day and the clouds have lifted now. We can almost touch the occasional airplane that flies by because we are so high. With the sweeping panoramic view, we can see Mt. Meru, Mwenzi (the third of three volcanoes on Kili), and the largest glacier Kibo behind us.
Everything is going well. Tomorrow we are heading for the top and we will report after.