Trip Reports

Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Glades 13 to 22 Feb '16

Our February 2016 team on the summit of Kilimanjaro

Written by Leader Jo Clark, March 2016

Looking around the departure hall of LHR T4 at 4:30am I pushed foward my bright red Jagged Globe bag so that I would be clearly recognised. Rosemary and Ian arrived shortly and after some bleary eyed introductions they went to check in. I was still waiting for Rowena when they returned, and when she did arrive she brought with her the gift of a cold which she would present to the team at various point both during the trek and even on return to the UK.

In Amsterdam we picked up our next team members, finding Moira, Martin and Jo quite easily and finally Rosie. We started the game of ëWhereís Stefanoí which would last for the next 10 days.

Without incident we made it to Kilimanjaro airport where we were picked up by minibus and had a late dinner at the hotel with our remaining team members who had travelled in from various destinations all over the world. We presented ourselves as an international team with 2 Indians, 2 Norwegians, 1 Scottish-Italian, 1 British-Malaysian and 9 British.

After a short nights sleep and some kit organisation we made our way towards the park gate. Weighing of kits bags, food, tents and other equipment happened three times before we were able to start our short walk through the beautiful forest scenery. Big Tree Camp was busy on that first night as routines were established and camp habits formed. Still tired from the journey and many new senses and experiences everyone went to bed as early as possible.

The next day really began to feel like the trip had really begun. A full day of walking through forests, along ridges and up hills. Monkeys, flowers and scenic stops to kept us entertained. With a beautiful open camp and perfect views of the mountain spirits were high and Naina and Jo started a yoga session in a perfect setting.

The detour to Cathedral Peak took the team across the open Shira Plateau with views stretching into the distance both towards the mountain and across the plains of Africa. The scramble up the peak made this a highlight and helped with the acclimatisation making for a better nights sleep for all the team. More yoga took place at this high altitude camp with Naina and Joyoti leading the session and Lin, Moira and I wobbling in various directions.

The next morning we sadly said goodbye to Rosie and Mark, waving them off before turning our attention to a long day ascending to Lava Tower and back down to the bottom of Baranco wall. The wall looks down imposingly over Baranco Camp and was cause for concern among some of the team.

With an early start we were almost alone on the wall and the higher we climbed the bigger the smiles of everyone in the group. Jo, who had been nervous, was in her element, Naina virtually danced up and everyone else was grinning from ear to ear as we reached the top.

After continuing on a pleasant undulating path, Karanga camp, which is beautifully perched on a high open slope, is accessed by one final steep uphill. However, the reward for this was arriving in time for lunch and a relaxing afternoon. As usual, Eivind and Espen couldnít keep still and explored the area while most of the team slept or read.

One more short day and we arrived at Barafu Camp ready for breakfast at midnight followed by the summit bid. With an almost full moon and some cloud cover the temperature was relatively warm and we had good visibility. This made the hours of ascent up the slope to Stella point feel less isolating. With such a well bonded team the support going up and down the line is what helped everyone through the night to sunrise and on to Stella Point. That and the warm cups of tea during our brief breaks.

There were moments of doubt and pain and questioning during that long summit night. However, it was the strength of the team and the support they gave each other that helped everyone attempting the summit that night to achieve their goal. I was almost impressed watching the strength and determination that Jo, Rowena, Lin, Moira, Martin and Rosemary demonstrated to overcome their personal difficulties on that night and reach the summit still smiling.

And now that the summit has been achieved, we were able to turn our attention to important events, like Lins Birthday. The descent was long and tiring but the reward was a beautifully baked cake by our amazing Tanzanian chef and a small party before falling into a deep sleep for our final night on the slopes of Kilimanjaro.

The final short day of walking through the forest with all the wonders that come with it, brought us to Mweka Gate, the bus back to our hotel, lunch with the guides, a shower and final goodbyes. With just 6 of us returning on the Amsterdam flight the rest of the team made preparations to enjoy some quality R&R time either on safari or relaxing in Zanzibar ñ a well deserved rest.

Huge congratulations to everyone in the team for taking part in the trek and attempting the ascent of Kilimanjaro. Congratulations to Jo, Rowena, Lin, Moira, Martin, Rosemary, Ian, Joyoti, Naina, Espen, Eivind and Stefano for summiting. A fantastic trip, thank you.

Jo Clark, Trek Leader« Previous report | Next report »

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