Title image - BAI takes you to: Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro Expedition Dispatch

August 18, 2012 – Midway Point on Our Climb: Part I

It is the 18th, but it is the evening now, just pass 6pm. I am calling you from the Karanga camp on Kilimanjaro, at elevation 13,200ft. or just over 4000 meters. We just had our longest day. We knew it was going to be a tough day, but we completed it in about 9 and ½ hours from Lava Tower. It is a good sign for this team because 3 different people came up to me and said, near the end of this long challenging day, that it was the best day. Remi told me that, Stephanie told me that and Liz told me that and I could see the look on other people’s faces that they agreed.

Don’t get me wrong, we were tired, we were challenged but the beauty had a lot to do with what made it special for people even though it was a hard day. We traversed beneath the great breach wall of Kilimanjaro with those spectacular vertical glaciers; we descended down into the Senecio forest with those giant Senecios trees which fascinated Jo and several other members of our team. And then we ascended the famous land mark of most Berg Adventures trip, the memorable Barranco wall. We put on our helmets and we slowly ascended the steep ledge trail. I could see people were a bit nervous but after we get to the top everybody was telling me that it was fun and I think that they appreciated doing something special on Kilimanjaro. They all did great and kind of helped us to just get over the tedious nature of this hiking, the beauty had a lot to do with it and the challenge with climbing the Barranco wall. So I hope you enjoy the photos we sent out from Lava Tower, we are going settle down for a good night rest at Karanga.

Listen to Wally's call

Along the trail to Lava Tower Camp, “which way do we go?"

Left: Stephanie with wild hat at Moir Camp;

Right: Joe needs to fill his water bottles before we hike

Left: David, BAI guide, David began as a porter with BAI years ago, now he is a trip guide; Right: Brian, BAI guide

Suzy was our first birthday girl on this trip, she had her party in the parking lot of Kilimanjaro international airport the evening she arrived in Africa.