Trip Reports

Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Glades - 22 to 31 Aug '15

Written by Leader Harry McAulay, September 2015

This was going to be the fourth ascent of Kilimanjaro for me and the first time that I had followed the Lemosho Glades Route, having previously only done the Umbwe Route. The Lemosho Glades had been highly recommended to me by Thobias, one of the local guides that I had become acquainted with from previous expeditions, as being his favourite route.

We were going to be a small group of five that included me, Gordon plus his daughter Elizabeth and Keith, plus his son Kieran. We all got together in Amsterdam with the two Kís arriving from Newcastle and the rest of us from Heathrow. We all got on from the moment we met and the spirit of camaraderie stayed with us throughout.

I have had problems in the past with KLM not quite getting all the bags to the final destination at the same time as the group. If this happens they usually catch up after a day or two. We were lucky or possibly KLM is improving as the bags and ourselves shot through the arrivals procedure in record time. It really does help to avoid long queues if you get your visa prior to arrival. We were then whisked off to Keys Hotel in Moshi for a well earned sleep after some great pizzas in the restaurant.

Next day was the drive to the start, after meeting our team and the various checks and sorting out what had to be done. The start can be slightly frustrating as there is a lot of weighing of gear and sorting out to do. Everything comes off the vehicles and then has to go back on; as you have a drive, sort out of final loads, then another drive to the actual start. There follows then a short trek to the Big Tree Camp, which is in the forest and the adventure has truly begun.

The trek to the final camp lived up to the expectations that I had of it. It is a great route for acclimatisation and scenery; everyone enjoyed it. The only thing that we could have done without was the dust. However if you go in the dry season expect dust, which believe me, is far preferable to the alternative. My group were a little anxious of the Baranco Wall, which can look intimidating, however even with very little experience of scrambling they floated up it, aided by the skill of Dawson our local guide who knew every element of the route and was on hand to point out the easiest ways of ascending the few rock steps that had to be climbed.

The trekking phase was finished with everyone acclimatising without any problems just the odd headache which was soon dealt with. Summit day was upon us, for this we tried a different approach than I had in the past. Dawson who had done the route many times suggested a later start then usual, that worked for our group. There was, as always on such a big day, periods of tiredness; but after leaving camp at 0300hrs we were at the summit by 0950hrs having passed other groups that had left much earlier. A brilliant effort from all the team, especially Elisabeth the youngest in the group at 16 years old, who showed great determination. It was then after another night on the mountain down to Moshi for a welcome shower, lunch and a beer.

Congratulations to all of my party, you were awesome and made my first Lemosho Glades trip truly unforgettable.

Harry McAulay, Trek Leader « Previous report | Next report »

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