Kilimanjaro Expedition Dispatch
August 15, 2016 – Some More Photos From an Amazing Adventure
Kilimanjaro: it is high; it is hard; it is surprising with its varied life zones, climates and landscapes. There is no place like it in the world. It is a challenge to the body, mind and spirit. Our team of friends from Vancouver excelled on this mountain. They never doubted, never gave up and they only stopped smiling occasionally during their arduous five days on Kilimanjaro in the heat, the cold, the rain, the wind and the high altitude equatorial sun.
What a trip! Here are some more photos from the adventure. Congratulations to a great team.
Enduring mystery. The summit of Kilimanjaro rises above the plains and forests of East Africa.
Welcome to Africa, Vancouver Team!
Only a few hours off the plane our brave, optimistic team was set to go.
Our first day took us on an 11 kilometer, 4200 foot ascent through the cloud forest of Kilimanjaro.
Our route was the Umbwe, know to be the hardest on the mountain, but Frank, Tony and Tim were relaxed at a break along the trail.
The second day saw us climbing out of the forest toward Kili’s imposing Breach Wall.
End of the second day. We made it to 13,000 feet at Barranco Camp.
Arnold Kimaro, Berg Adventures Guide and team Choirmaster.
Celebrating the team’s arrival to 13,000 feet.
Keeping the spirit alive at high altitude.
Our camp at 13,000 feet.
Brian and Tommy at Barranco Camp.
The team at Barranco, 13,000 ft.
The majesty of Kilimanjaro from our camp.
The morning of Aug 3, we donned climbing helmets and started out early to climb over the Great Barranco Wall.
Tim Young and the team climbing upward
Tony Ritter on the Great Barranco
Scott climbing on the Wall
Later in the day we climbed on to 15,300 feet.
We checked in at the crowded Barafu Camp. Tony, Tim and Frank take it easy at the Ranger’s station.
Then we climbed on to the seclusion of our special high camp, at 16,000 feet.
Cyprian and Brian at high camp
We woke at midnight, for a 1:30 am start for the summit.
By 5:40 am, still in the darkness, we reached the Crater Rim of Kili, at Stella Point.
The team with the Berg Adventures guides at Stella Point.
And then… sunrise came to the top of Africa.
It is nearly one mile along the Crater Rim to Uhuru Point, the very top of Africa. The entire walk was beautiful.
Frank G. with the glaciers of Kilimanjaro, just a few steps from the summit.
The summit!
What a great success! And our Berg Adventures support team cooked us a celebration cake, which was presented to us when we reached the Forest Camp late in the day.
Frank Giustra slices the cake of the team. Congratulations!