Kilimanjaro Expedition Dispatch
February 16, 2011 – The Climb Begins
Our extremely knowledgeable and friendly
guide, Julius, will climb with David and Joanne
every step of the way.
Today is the morning Joanne and David will walk through the park gates of Kilimanjaro “Lemosho Route”.
Yesterday was a warm up day hiking up to the waterfall on Mt. Meru. Nothing like walking through tiny villages and beautiful, lush green forests, to an amazing tall waterfall. This day is meant for adjusting to a little more altitude and stretching the legs from two days of travel before starting our climb up Kilimanjaro.
Today, after a restful sleep, Joanne and David started their climb. With their guide Julius, they will learn about the mountain culture, flora and fauna, and have their first night sleeping among some of the oldest trees and Calibus monkeys at Big Tree Camp, 9,200ft/2,804m.
They will experience the conflicting contrast of the landscape, going from the lush rainforest up to the alpine dessert where it feels like you are standing on Mars.
The first two days on the mountain, the phone coverage is limited, so we will be hearing from them in the next couple of days when they recap and catch up with their stories of their adventure so far. Stay tuned!
David and Joanne's goal: to stand on the top of this very high and famous mountain—Kilimanjaro.
The vegitation you walk through on Mt. Meru
Colours along the way to camp I
Left: The waterfall we visit is a breathtaking sight; Right: Big Tree Camp