Trip Reports

Kilimanjaro - Western Breach 17 to 28 Sep '16

Written by Leader Sam Leary, September 2016

The Jagged Globe Western Breach team have just returned from a very successful trip to Kilimanjaro. The widest possible experience and age range made for a group of very different individuals but all had come together with the same aspiration, to climb Kilimanjaro by its most challenging route. The camaraderie and team work shown to each other right from the outset made for a fantastic trip. 20 minutes into our trek we were within 20 meters of wild giraffes, water buffalo and warthogs, no fences, just amazing. We dragged ourselves and our cameras away and continued with the acclimatisation climb. All the team managed mini Meru and then the main Meru summit 4,556m. This went really well, although more challenging and demanding than some had anticipated.

After our success on Meru we came down for a well deserved shower back in the comfort of the Keys hotel in Moshi. A brief rest before the main event, we were soon heading out to start our climb up Kilimanjaro via the Western Breach. A steady four days allowed us reach the high Arrow camp. Our in-country team, lead by Frankie, did a fantastic job of organising our trip and the food at 4800m was amazing, chicken and chips! This was to be the high point for Marcus who had done so very well to get this far. Although very disappointed to be going down from here it was the only safe decision we could make. The rest of the team began our final climb at 1.00am. The scrambling got more interesting with height and within 5hrs we were standing in the surreal world of the crater, sand and glaciers, stunning. The last pull up to the summit was hard for everyone, except our local guides, but we were soon standing on the highest point in Africa and we had it to ourselves. It made all the effort worthwhile. A great time had with wonderful people in an amazing place, can't beat that.

Sam Leary, Expedition Leader« Previous report | Next report »

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