Philmont Staff Association and Friends Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari Dispatch

June 21, 2011 – Descending to Mweka Camp

The operative word for today was DESCEND! Camp this morning at 18,700ft/5700m in Kilimanjaro’s summit crater was spectacular and cold. We were happy to find hot coffee and tea in the dining tent this morning.

Then we hiked back up and across the crater floor to Stella Point before descending 9000 vertical feet to the forested Mweka Camp. Going down the steep slopes to Kossovo Camp gave us a greater appreciation for how far and how steeply we had climbed yesterday. We passed quickly through Barafu Camp and then had lunch a few miles later at Millenium Camp. From there, we descended back into the forest. It was a long afternoon of hiking.

All the porters and staff met us at camp with a grand cheer. We had such a good time with them. Tomorrow promises a morning of hiking to the park gates and then a drive to our hotel where hot showers and beds without zippers await. It will also mark the disbanding of this wonderful group of Tanzanians who have done so much to make our Kilimanjaro a great success!