Kilimanjaro Expedition Dispatch

August 2, 2016 – Amazing Views of Kilimanjaro on Our First Day on the Mountain

We arrived at our forest camp on the Umbwe Trail at 9,800ft, almost 2,900 metres, about 6:30, actually 6:10pm yesterday evening. Six hours after we began walking, wow what a beautiful walk it was!

This cloud forest, at this elevation on Kilimanjaro, is probably shrouded in mist and cloud at least 300 days a year.

Yesterday we had perfectly clear skies above, it was still shady walking through the thick forest and it was extremely beautiful. Quite unusual, we had amazing views of Kibo, our goal on this trip. The big mass of the main summit of Kilimanjaro with the glaciers coming down.

A bit awe inspiring and intimidating perhaps, I saw Frank G. standing there a couple of times just marvelling at the beauty and the wonder of this place. It is really, truly a privilege to be here. Now this morning after a nice breakfast served by the crew in our tent, sit down breakfast, the porters are singing as they packed up our big duffel bags; they will start out the trail and we will walk slowly, ascending behind them all the way to the Barranco camp, at the base of the breach wall.

The team looks great, very tired last night, I can tell you that, from travel and a long hike but they slept well and they look bright and fresh and ready to go this morning.

Listen to Wally's call

The Umbwe trail is a beautiful and a remote way to reach the summit. The beautiful vegetation is always changing along the trails

Moving through the forest

As we climbed higher we had great views of Kibo - the main summit of Kilimanjaro