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Travel Photo Thursday: Climbing to the Roof of Africa
For our 25th wedding anniversary, my husband (John) and I flew to Tanzania. Our aim was to climb to the Roof of Africa and summit Mount Kilimanjaro. Just before we left, John cracked a rib, but neither of us wanted to cancel the trip.So climb we did – and summit, with few problems but part two of our trip which involved driving the rutted roads of the Serengeti was a different issue altogether and best saved for another blog.
Here are a collection of photos from our climb up Kilimanjaro.
We climbed the Shira Plateau – Western Breach Route – one that not many people do. It allows you to camp just 800 feet shy of the summit on the final night by the Furtwangler Glacier. It’s incredibly beautiful – though most of us also felt incredibly sick – nothing drugs couldn’t cure fortunately.
Driving to the trailhead to begin our trek
Warnings before you start the climb
Controlled bedlam and getting organized before setting out
Our porters on Kilimanjaro
The second night's camp - the first was too disgusting for wordsÂ
Fantastic textured plants
Dramatic skies
Dining tent for cool nights well above treeline
This is what you'll look like, 30 minutes after running the trail - when you're supposed to be taking it slowly
An overnight snowfall, two nights from the summit
On the push to the Crater camp
Looking down to the Crater Camp
An atypical summit shot
Just hours below the summit - back in the land of more oxygen
The Money Dance - at the last camp - after the tips are handed out
The highs of climbing Kilimanjaro
- Our wonderful, kind thoughtful porters
- Traveling through so many ecological zones
- The feeling of elation upon reaching the summit and of course the view from the top
- Unusual plant life along the way
- Excellent food
- Interesting bird life at lower elevations
The lows of climbing Kilimanjaro
- Lots of tent time
- Cold nights – and having to get out of a warm sleeping bag to pee
- Headaches
- The first night’s camp was dirty and crowded
- No showers for 9 days
It’s still an experience I’d recommend to anyone who can get into shape and doesn’t mind camping.
Have you climbed Kilimanjaro? and what kind of experience did you have?
Here is this week’s submission to Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox a website where Nanci offers a chance every Thursday for fellow travelers to post their favourite photos.
Leigh McAdam
HikeBikeTravel
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24 Responses to Travel Photo Thursday: Climbing to the Roof of Africa
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About
I’ve been all over the world – to all continents but Antarctica and to a grand total of 53 countries. I’ve always got some sort of an adventure planned – even if it’s only a weekend. I thrive on change and travel provides that.
Feel free to email me at
leighmcadamtravels@gmail.com
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Such an amazing tree!
Muza-chan recently posted..A Japanese Song per Day: Furil – Sweet Little Love
What an adventure, Leigh, and i have lived it through you
Nancie recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday — February 2, 2012 — Historical Toledo — A Sunny View
Great photos. You always manage to add to my bucket list.
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@Jackie It’s hard to keep bucket lists under control with so many exciting, marvelous things to do on this planet.
@Nancie – Doesn’t sound like you’re heading to Kilimanjaro anytime soon. That’s OK. I get that not everyone wants to sleep in a tent for a week at altitude.
@Muza-chan Pretty cool isn’t it. I don’t know what type it is.
Quite and adventure! Great shots of the scenery and people (including the ailing John). Love the Money Dance shot. i have that reaction to money sometimes, too.
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Beautiful photos! Kilimanjaro is very high up on my bucket list, but no showers for 9 days? That’s a long time, especially when you’re sweating so much.
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Does Dad know that picture’s in there?!
My son and I have had this on our bucket list for many years. We also are considering a less travelled route. Your experience has been very helpful. Thanks for sharing. Outstanding photos.
Barry recently posted..Coulterville – Yosemite National Park – Hiking California
Bravo, Leigh! This is quite a hike and a major accomplishment. It isn’t on my list but I’d give it a try. Nothing like a new challenge.
One of my clients did it with his two sons a few years ago. Finished fine but got sick for a week after he returned to the States.
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Last fall I ran a multi-part story on climbing the mountain around 9/11. Here’s the link to part one of that story: http://ttftr.com/rmMIth
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Wow! Leigh, your adventures are always inspiring. Those warning signs are a bit intimidating but what a great accomplishment. The pictures are beautiful espeically the summit ones.
Mary @ The World Is A Book recently posted..Strolling Balboa Park
hey, he needs to move because I can’t read all the warnings!!!
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Looks like a blast. Thanks for sharing !
What a fantastic way to celebrate your anniversary! Sounds like a great trip. I wonder how many people are scared off by the warning sign? Sounds like some of medication warnings
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Thanks Mike – one of those trips that gives you a great sense of accomplishment.
@Denise – You made me laugh with that comment!
@Mary I think the warnings are less intimidating when you’ve spent a lot of time in the mountains. I’d climbed 35 peaks over 14,000 feet in Colorado so felt that I had the prerequisite experience. I’m glad you liked the summit photo.
It did feel like an accomplishment – and our 9 days on the mountain felt like a long time. The cold beer at the end was delicious -and that’s coming from someone who rarely drinks beer.
@Kristen He does now.
@Barry I think climbing Kili is a very worthwhile goal – and although our first camp was miserable I’m very glad we took the less well trodden route.
I have also written a post on how to pick a route and an operator on Kili – here it is. http://hikebiketravel.com/2952/climbing-kiliminjaro-tips-picking-route-operator/
@Laurel – We were able to have sponge baths – though the hot shower after 9 days was a memorable treat.
I know what you mean about a hot shower being a treat. We spent 4 days riding camels through the Great Rann of Kutch in India once, sleeping in stables and on the ground, no showers, no toilets.
Looks you had quite the experience! I’ve never hiked Kilimanjaro, but want to. Though I’m considering hiking up Mt Meru (close by) instead. It’s not quite as tall, but a bit easier for kids, I hear. That, or wait a few more years.
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