Kilimanjaro Climber's Log

Viewing: 1-20 of 309

rnirschel - Jan 22, 2006 7:06 pm

Route Climbed: modified Western Breach from the Glacier Camp Date Climbed: January 12th 2006  Sucess!

Although we had 6 inches of snow waking us and howling winds - my guide Tobias and I summitted at 8 AM on Thursday the 12th (better than the originally scheduled Friday the 13th.)



We did so in memory of the three trekkers killed on the Western Breach as I set out on the 5th. Headache, high pulse, low oxygen - and the magic of DEX and a hit of oxygen got me up to the top (I was fine until 18000 feet).



A "once in a lifetime experience" as only a fool would do this twice. Great views, deeply spirtual, physically very hard, emotionally much harder.



Do it - if you are prepared - attitudinally.

mrsilly

mrsilly - Jan 18, 2006 5:52 pm

Route Climbed: Lemosho and Machame Date Climbed: January 6, 2006  Sucess!

I was originally going on the Western Breach route, but because of the unfortunate rock slide at Arrow Glacier Camp we had to change routes and use Machame. The Western Breach is currently closed. I will never forget the winds and cold during the midnight hike. Luckily, I had packed a headlamp for camp usage as I was supposed to make the summit in daylight. This was my second attempt and first success. I will never do this again. Too exhausting! But it was a great experience and one I will never forget.

Jason Halladay

Jason Halladay - Jan 17, 2006 12:10 am

Route Climbed: Machame Date Climbed: 11 September 2004  Sucess!

All seven of us from New Mexico, USA, reached the summit on Sept. 11, 2004 in time to watch the sunrise--it was fantastic! Three of us had the opportunity to explore the summit crater and ash pit as well. The only snow we encountered on the whole 6 day climb was in the summit crater!

kunlun

kunlun - Jan 4, 2006 4:48 am

Route Climbed: Machame - Western Beeach Date Climbed: Dec 31, 2005  Sucess!

Made it to the top on the last day of 2005. It was absolutely fantastic. The glaciers, the crater and the ash pit totally blew me away.

gordonye

gordonye - Dec 29, 2005 12:00 pm Date Climbed: Dec 27, 2005

Route Climbed: Umbwe-Western Breach

Like Dirk said, an extremely demanding trip, especially because sickness, poor weather, and short time-frame come together. The western breach route should be a lot of fun if we had good weather conditions and better acclimatization. Too bad we couldn't see anything from the summit, and had to get down quickly. The hiking was very steep each day but the real kicker was altitude. On the summit day I made it to the top with frequent hollers from our guide and after being relieved of my day pack half way up the Breach.



After hearing about the rock fall accident on the Western Breach route that killed three American climbers and injured 5 others a few days after we had been there, I feel very lucky to have made it to the top safely.

Diggler

Diggler - Dec 29, 2005 3:02 am

Route Climbed: Umbwe - Western Breach (Mweka descent) Date Climbed: 27 December, 2005  Sucess!

Completed with G-mack despite many trials and tribulations...



After G contracted illness night before proposed departure date, we spoke w/ Joel (our guide) the next morning, who said he didn't mind if we started a day late & just shortened the overall trip length to just 5 days (something I would NOT recommend to anyone- give yourself at least 6 days!! Kili's a BIG mountain, & if you're coming from the US, at least, you'll have jet lag, way different weather, & food to adjust to as well!!), we started the next day. Of course, I got the bug that Gordon had 2 days up the mountain! Fever, chills, congestion, coughing & sneezing @ 2,900 m (w/ 2 successive days afterwards of 1,000m gains- ouch!!)



Anyway, 1st camp at cave. Second camp @ Barranco Hut, 3rd @ Arrow Glacier Hut. Started @ 5.32 for summit. Fresh snow on Western Breach. Would have been an enjoyable route, but as I felt like utter dog shit the whole while, I could not enjoy it... Summited @ 11.20 (after it had started snowing (it either rained or snowed each day of our trip except for our final descent day)), left summit @ 11.35. Descended to Millennium Camp that day.



Millenium Camp to base next day. Great adventure!

Juho

Juho - Dec 17, 2005 1:07 pm

Route Climbed: Western Breach (Machame) Date Climbed: September 15th, 2005  Sucess!

So far one of the best experiences in my life. I started from the Machame gate and went up to the summit via Machame, Shira and Arrow Glacier Camps in 5 days. Just to test myself I carried my own gear (13kg) all the way to Arrow Glacier Camp and with the minimum acclimatization it was pretty exhausting.



I reached the summit just after sunrise with only a couple of people there at the time and the views are absolutely spectacular. I truly recommend the Machame route (instead of Marangu) as you can see the Shira plateau, Lava Tower and Arrow Glacier from Western Breach which are the highlights of the ascent.

luckykat

luckykat - Dec 8, 2005 6:00 pm

Route Climbed: Rongai Date Climbed: 04 November 2005  Sucess!

Yes! I made it to the top. The whole team has written up their stories on our website.

http://www.mcdougalladventures.com/adventures/kilimanjaro-climb

Enjoy! Hope it helps those of you who come after!

timfoltz

timfoltz - Dec 8, 2005 12:40 pm

Route Climbed: Marangu Date Climbed: Summer of 2001  Sucess!

Great Climb, mostly a long hike up and down

vbc285

vbc285 - Dec 3, 2005 4:30 pm

Route Climbed: Marungu Route Date Climbed: June, 2001  Sucess!

Three days up and two down. Awsome climb and experience. One down and 6 to go!!!

Jaybird-99

Jaybird-99 - Nov 22, 2005 2:08 pm

Route Climbed: Western Breach (via Lemosho) Date Climbed: February 24th, 2005  Sucess!



Have a look at my trip report journal.




It is best read as the pdf file as it has quite a few pictures and graphics.







emilie

emilie - Nov 11, 2005 6:50 pm

Route Climbed: Machame Date Climbed: September 15, 2005  Sucess!

Went with Duma Explorers and highly recommend them - excellent value for the cost. This was the toughest thing I have ever done, mainly because I was sick the entire time (and not altitude sickness). We had cold frosty weather at the top with no view, but I didn't care - I made it to the top of Africa! :-) The descent was actually the toughest part for me - 15,000ft in a day and a half on rock (snow is much easier on the joints).

rossjmac - Oct 28, 2005 2:45 am

Route Climbed: Marangu Date Climbed: 17 September 2004  Sucess!

Sue and I summited just before 6 in the morning and 3 minutes before sunrise.... Very cold but what a beautiful view of the light hitting the Serengeti with Mount Meru keeping watch in the distance... A very rewarding climb!

MikeW

MikeW - Oct 25, 2005 4:41 pm

Route Climbed: Machame Date Climbed: July 2003  Sucess!

First big one and a beauty. We spent 7 days on the mountain, had time to acclimatize properly on the Machame route. Climbed the Lava Tower, reach Uhuru Peak and skied down the scree slope, a lot of fun!

kac - Oct 2, 2005 5:40 pm

Route Climbed: Lemosho Date Climbed: July 1, 2005  Sucess!

Had good luck with weather on top -- wasn't very cold, never had to fully zip my outer layer. Made it to the top with my friend Greg Fletchall and his son, Matt (age 12). Coming down was long and difficult. Many thanks to our guides Freddie and Charlie and the Marangu hotel, which arranged the climb.

Ken Cameron

krissydog

krissydog - Sep 27, 2005 2:00 pm

Route Climbed: Umbwe/Western Breach Date Climbed: Sept 18 2005  Sucess!

I reccomend the Umbwe route, we had only one other group on the route for the first two days. The Western Breach is a nice challenge too. Good climb, good time.

mymirage77 - Sep 24, 2005 4:56 pm

Route Climbed: Lemosho/Western Breach Date Climbed: September 19, 2005  Sucess!

Climbed with Kiliwarriors!!! They were awesome ... big thanks to Justin, Gideon and the others for guiding us to the top. All in our team of 5 made it to the Summit. Just be prepared as the descent was very challenging for several in our group. Can't say enough good things about the Kiliwarriors.

TodoVertical

TodoVertical - Sep 22, 2005 2:50 pm

Route Climbed: Marangu (Guiding) Date Climbed: Sept. 13th 2005  Sucess!

Typical september days. All seven of us reached Uhuru Peak !!

mnsurvivor

mnsurvivor - Sep 9, 2005 11:35 am

Route Climbed: Lemosho/Western Breach Date Climbed: July 7, 2005  Sucess!

Great trip with Kiliwarriors and Faraja as our guide, Hosea our assistant, Kanini our camp manager. I was here in April 2004 with a different, well-known company, but this was fatastic! Great company, guides and porters. It isn't always about the summit, even though I made it twice, but about the experience on the mountain and the men that take you there. None better than Kiliwarriors.



Many people on the summit slogging in from Marangu at this time of year. Saw evacuated people. Scarey. Even though people of marginal fitness, like myself, can make it to the summit, you need to know it is a serious altitude and things can happen suddenly. Be prepared for that!

gert

gert - Aug 21, 2005 6:55 pm

Route Climbed: Machame Route Date Climbed: Dec2001  Sucess!

Wonderfull hike - will do it once again .............

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