Big tree camp
On this beautiful Saturday morning 15 climbers from various parts of the world were all stuffed in a small minibus with max capacity for 10 persons, no air condition neither seats for everyone, however there were no grumbling, as we all knew this would be the last luxury we would experience for the next many days. Three long adventurous hours of the “African massage” before we finally arrived to Londorosi entrance gate were we stopped to register for the climb and indulge in lunch.
The weather was perfect for lunchbox picnic and was complemented with fresh fruit and juices. While munching away on bananas we got to know the rest of the 6 persons who would be our fellow companions for the next 8 days. A unique situation. Sitting here at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro among a group of totally strangers from all over the world, whom all have flown in from far away places for the same one and only reason, to be part of it, to experience it, to live and to leave this beautiful part of the country behind with a sense of accomplishment.
After lunch our luggage was weighed for the max 15 kg for our porters to carry and we met our porters who would look after each individual luggage. My porter was Joel. He seemed very tiny and I was wondering how on earth he was going to carry my luggage to the top of the mountain and preferable have it ready before our arrival, but time after time Joel ran past me on the muddy trail with my luggage on his head while I was dragging my feet trying to reach camp and every time the tent was ready shortly after our arrival and luggage placed in our tent to our surprise. Thanks Joel.
Around 4pm we started out our first leg of the journey with destination “big tree camp” with approximately altitude 2400 meters. As we were a couple of hours behind schedule the pace was fast as we needed to reach camp before dark. It was awful. I am by no means a fast walker in the first place and then have to half run up hill for hours in baking sun in Africa with a big backpack strapped to my back was it my only belongings I ever have owned.
I was drenched in sweat, hungry, tired, thirsty and the growing feel of acid in the legs. I was wondering how I have ended up on this running-hills-in-Africa-excursion. Despite the speed of a cheetah we were still running the hills in the rain forest at 8pm and the night was turning from dark to a pitch black. I was stumbling but we finally reached camp by 9pm, we checked in, had dinner and I collapse in my sleeping bag and the last thing I recalled was the raindrops stated to fall.
On this beautiful Saturday morning 15 climbers from various parts of the world were all stuffed in a small minibus with max capacity for 10 persons, no air condition neither seats for everyone, however there were no grumbling, as we all knew this would be the last luxury we would experience for the next many days. Three long adventurous hours of the “African massage” before we finally arrived to Londorosi entrance gate were we stopped to register for the climb and indulge in lunch.
The weather was perfect for lunchbox picnic and was complemented with fresh fruit and juices. While munching away on bananas we got to know the rest of the 6 persons who would be our fellow companions for the next 8 days. A unique situation. Sitting here at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro among a group of totally strangers from all over the world, whom all have flown in from far away places for the same one and only reason, to be part of it, to experience it, to live and to leave this beautiful part of the country behind with a sense of accomplishment. 
After lunch our luggage was weighed for the max 15 kg for our porters to carry and we met our porters who would look after each individual luggage. My porter was Joel. He seemed very tiny and I was wondering how on earth he was going to carry my luggage to the top of the mountain and preferable have it ready before our arrival, but time after time Joel ran past me on the muddy trail with my luggage on his head while I was dragging my feet trying to reach camp and every time the tent was ready shortly after our arrival and luggage placed in our tent to our surprise. Thanks Joel. 
Around 4pm we started out our first leg of the journey with destination “big tree camp” with approximately altitude 2400 meters. As we were a couple of hours behind schedule the pace was fast as we needed to reach camp before dark. It was awful. I am by no means a fast walker in the first place and then have to half run up hill for hours in baking sun in Africa with a big backpack strapped to my back was it my only belongings I ever have owned. 
I was drenched in sweat, hungry, tired, thirsty and the growing feel of acid in the legs. I was wondering how I have ended up on this running-hills-in-Africa-excursion. Despite the speed of a cheetah we were still running the hills in the rain forest at 8pm and the night was turning from dark to a pitch black. I was stumbling but we finally reached camp by 9pm, we checked in, had dinner and I collapse in my sleeping bag and the last thing I recalled was the raindrops stated to fall. 
Pyha Søs og Helen. I må på afslapningsferie med indlagt massage bagefter. Knus
ReplyDeleteWow!! So sorry to hear about your first challenging start. Hope the remaining distance will be tolerable. " Africa is not made for sizzies" Take care and be safe, Welma
ReplyDeleteLis and Helen, I still remember talking with you guys about your climb while onboard and now you guys are almost on your way to conquor it. Truely inspirational, you guys are making me believe that life is not that boring after all. Im following your blog regularly..Looking forward to your return and to hear all fun from you...Kudos to both of you. Manish.
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