And so the day has arrived. We are so excited, it's doubtful that any of us slept more than a few hours last night. The packing, unpacking and repacking was an adventure of its own. With any luck, we will arrive in Tanzania with everything required to give Kilimanjaro our best shot.
If you care to follow along with us, I have outlined the climb itinerary below. I will try to post an update around February 12 or 13 when we get off the mountian. Until then, thank you for all of your good thoughts, prayers and support. There will be times when we will each face challenges on the mountain, and your positive thoughts will help pull us through.
I will have no phone or e-mail access for the next three weeks except to try to update this blog if possible. I will only be able to read blog comments posted here. If you are friends of Joe and Beth, feel free to leave them comments here as well.
See you on the other side of the mountain!
xoxox, Iwalani
January 29 - February 2, in Amsterdam
Monday, February 2 - Arrive in Arusha, Tanzania
We arrive in Arusha in the evening and will be met by our trip leader who will accompany us on a two-hour drive to a private camp at 6,000’ on the lower slopes of Mt. Meru (14,900’). Late dinner, shower, lights out.
Tuesday, February 3 - Mount Meru Camp
Today we get to sleep in and rest ourselves. A briefing and gear check will follow lunch, and then a short hike. A welcome dinner will be served.
Day 1 on Kilimanjaro
Wednesday, February 4 - Trailhead to Forest Camp - 7,500’ to 9,000’
A morning drive of about three hours gets us to the trailhead where we will meet our porters and guides. After signing onto the mountain, our climb begins.
Hike Time: 3-4 hours
Day 2 on Kilimanjaro
Thursday, February 5 - Forest Camp to Shira Ridge Camp - 9,000’ to 11,300’
Hike Time: 7-8 hours
Day 3 on Kilimanjaro
Friday, February 6 - Shira Ridge Camp to Moir Camp - 11,300’ to 13,100’
Hike Time: 5-6 hours
Day 4 on Kilimanjaro
Saturday, February 7 - Moir Camp to Sheffield Camp - 13,100 to 14,800
Hike Time: 4-5 hours
Day 5 on Kilimanjaro
Sunday, February 8 - Sheffield Camp, acclimatization day 14,800
Hike Time: 2-hour optional hike
Day 6 on Kilimanjaro
Monday, February 9 - Sheffield Camp to Arrow Glacier - 14,800 to 16,000
Hike Time: 2-3
Day 7 on Kilimanjaro
Tuesday, February 10 - Arrow Glacier to Upper Glacier 16,000 to 18,500
Hike Time: 10-12 hours, 4 a.m. start time
This is our toughest day of the ascent via the Western Breach route.
Day 8 on Kilimanjaro - SUMMIT DAY
Wednesday, February 11 - 18,500 to 19,340’
Hike Time: 1.5 hours to the top, then 8 hours descending a steep gravel trail
From the summit, we will descend 9,000’ to Mweka Camp at 10,000
Day 9 on Kilimanjaro - Mweka Camp to Trailhead
February 12, Thu. - sign off the mountain
I will have no phone or e-mail access for the next three weeks except to try to update this blog if possible. I will only be able to read blog comments posted here. If you are friends of Joe and Beth, feel free to leave them comments here as well.
See you on the other side of the mountain!
xoxox, Iwalani
January 29 - February 2, in Amsterdam
Monday, February 2 - Arrive in Arusha, Tanzania
We arrive in Arusha in the evening and will be met by our trip leader who will accompany us on a two-hour drive to a private camp at 6,000’ on the lower slopes of Mt. Meru (14,900’). Late dinner, shower, lights out.
Tuesday, February 3 - Mount Meru Camp
Today we get to sleep in and rest ourselves. A briefing and gear check will follow lunch, and then a short hike. A welcome dinner will be served.
Day 1 on Kilimanjaro
Wednesday, February 4 - Trailhead to Forest Camp - 7,500’ to 9,000’
A morning drive of about three hours gets us to the trailhead where we will meet our porters and guides. After signing onto the mountain, our climb begins.
Hike Time: 3-4 hours
Day 2 on Kilimanjaro
Thursday, February 5 - Forest Camp to Shira Ridge Camp - 9,000’ to 11,300’
Hike Time: 7-8 hours
Day 3 on Kilimanjaro
Friday, February 6 - Shira Ridge Camp to Moir Camp - 11,300’ to 13,100’
Hike Time: 5-6 hours
Day 4 on Kilimanjaro
Saturday, February 7 - Moir Camp to Sheffield Camp - 13,100 to 14,800
Hike Time: 4-5 hours
Day 5 on Kilimanjaro
Sunday, February 8 - Sheffield Camp, acclimatization day 14,800
Hike Time: 2-hour optional hike
Day 6 on Kilimanjaro
Monday, February 9 - Sheffield Camp to Arrow Glacier - 14,800 to 16,000
Hike Time: 2-3
Day 7 on Kilimanjaro
Tuesday, February 10 - Arrow Glacier to Upper Glacier 16,000 to 18,500
Hike Time: 10-12 hours, 4 a.m. start time
This is our toughest day of the ascent via the Western Breach route.
Day 8 on Kilimanjaro - SUMMIT DAY
Wednesday, February 11 - 18,500 to 19,340’
Hike Time: 1.5 hours to the top, then 8 hours descending a steep gravel trail
From the summit, we will descend 9,000’ to Mweka Camp at 10,000
Day 9 on Kilimanjaro - Mweka Camp to Trailhead
February 12, Thu. - sign off the mountain
Hike Time: 3-4 hours
7 comments:
Iwa,
We will be with you all the way!
Carl
Iwa,
Best of luck in your great adventure! Think how few people in the world will actually experience these places. Enjoy!
Janice
Nono (Bethy) and Joe,
I'm almost in tears thinking about you guys!! Abbey and I will look at the blog again tonight, but I wanted to luk how incredibly proud I am of you and your fierce determiniation!! I'm sending some of Abbey's great energy to hoist those last few steps each day!!
Love you lots,
Mary
Joe & Beth--how wonderful--just amazing----getting a little weepy---can't wait to see you guys--Love, jonni, Greg,& Kipp
Iwa, Beth and Joe,
I think of you everyday and check the calendar and the time to see where you are. When I have been at the gym, complaining about lifting that heavier weight, I think of you and you inspire me to forge ahead because nothing of what I am doing compares to what you are facing. I am so very proud of you and wish I could be there with you. Party in Portland upon your return!
xoxoxo Nancy aka Nimba
GOOD LUCK!!! WE ARE THINKING OF YOU ALL!!! LISA & TED
Iwa,
I know these recent days have been your hardest days on the mountain. I am watching and thinking of you and your adventure. I cannot wait to hear what you have to say about all of it. You should be down soon, so I wanted to leave a note in the comments!
Janice
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