Category Archives: Kilimanjaro

During the 6 hour moonlit summit ascent, I passed the time focused on my steps and reflecting on the many things I had learned on this mountain.   I was overcome with gratitude not just about my experience but so many ways I have been blessed in my life. Things I learned on Kilimanjaro  AContinue reading “Things I Learned Climbing Kili”

Trip Journal – Kilimanjaro Day 7 – Tuesday, June 21, 2016 – Summit Mweka Camp (10,170 ft) to Mweka Gate (5,420 ft) I woke up feeling like a new person. We had our final ‘wash’ in the water bowls and suited up for our final trek to the gate. After breakfast we had our ceremony with theContinue reading “Trip Journal – Kilimanjaro Day 7”

Trip Journal – Kilimanjaro Day 6 – Monday, June 20, 2016 – Summit (19,341 ft) to Barafu Camp (15,091 ft) to Mweka Camp (10,170 ft) Up at the summit, we spent about 20 minutes taking pictures and looking in awe at the sunrise and spectacular scenery. I had never seen sights so beautiful and was elatedContinue reading “Trip Journal -Kilimanjaro Day 6 – The Descent”

Day 6 -Monday,  June 20, 2016 – Barafu Hut Base camp (15,091 ft) to Summit (19,341 ft) We made it to the SUMMIT! I made sure to blog about our summit ascent immediately upon our return from the mountain.  You can read about it here:  https://nickimonson.wordpress.com/2016/06/22/we-made-it-to-the-summit/

Trip Journal – Kilimanjaro Day 5 – Sunday June 19, 2016 – Karanga Valley (13,852 ft) to Barafu Hut / ‘Base Camp’ (15,091 ft) Last nights sleep was fitful – we are camped on a slope so it was a night long routine of sliding down and scooting up.  Tim described walking around the camp as a funContinue reading “Trip Journal – Kilimanjaro Day 5”

Trip Journal – Kilimanjaro Day 4 – Saturday June 18, 2016 – Barranco Hut (13,061 ft) to Karanga Valley (13,852 ft) Each morning the guides would greet us with lots of enthusiasm!  “How’d you sleep? ” To which we’d reply – Good!  (Which truthfully was more like – sleep an hour at a time then wake, reposition,Continue reading “Trip Journal – Kilimanjaro Day 4”

Trip Journal – Kilimanjaro Day 3 – Friday June 17, 2016 – Shira Hut (12,602 ft) to Lava Tower (15,236 ft) to Barranco Hut (13,061 ft) Windy!! There were high winds across the plateau in the night and temps were cold. So far we are happy with our gear and apart from Nicki’s cold toes we are warm,Continue reading “Trip Journal – Kilimanjaro Day 3”

Trip Journal – Kilimanjaro Day 2 – Thursday June 16, 2016 – Machame Camp (9,301 ft) to Shira Hut (12,602 ft) Leaving camp we came out of the forest into the Moorlands and now had steep rocky terrain most of the day. We set off at 8:15 with Frank while Amos stayed back with theContinue reading “Trip Journal – Kilimanjaro Day 2”

Trip Journal – Kilimanjaro Day 1 – June 15, 2016 – Machame Gate (5,380 ft) to Machame Camp (9,301 ft) Welcome to the Jungle! Today we started our trek. We met our guide Amos (Ah-mos), and boarded a large van with 6 porters in addition to Amos and the driver.  We set off on a 2Continue reading “Trip Journal – Kilimanjaro Day 1”

Day 6 -Monday,  June 20, 2016 – Barafu Hut Base camp (15,091 ft) to Summit (19,341 ft) We made it to the SUMMIT!   Sunday night we had an early dinner, prepared our summit gear, and went to bed early – around 7:15.  We slept in 80% of our summit clothes, and woke up at 10:30Continue reading “We made it to the SUMMIT!”