Approach: We left the lodge at 11:00 p.m. by
jeep to go to Marangu Gate, 1,970m high. The entrance of
the "
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park " is materialized by a corridor
leading to the passport control and to the counter where we signed the ad hoc register.
The return was five days later.
Mandara hut, 2,742m: The stage is 10Km through a
cultivated plateau and a dense forest. A tropical rain fell during the
3-hour walk on a muddy and slippery path. At the refuge, the sun
came out and dried clothes and shoes. The refuge is composed of a
dozen constructions with 60 beds.
Horombo hut, 3,720m:
New progress through the tropical forest, then a path through tall
grass with a vegetation of giant groundsels and
lianas cascades. The 18Km way was made in 5 hours with a stop every
hour and lunch. The pace was given by the "Chief", a
tall pleasant black fellow speaking approximate English.
The refuge is 120 beds with running water!
Kibo hut, 4,753m: A desert and volcanic plateau led to the
following refuge. On the trail, a signpost indicates "Last point of water".
It was necessary to fill the flashes for 24 hours. At the
pass, the "saddle of the winds", the panorama on a lunar world was
exceptional with a unrestricted view on Kilimanjaro. The way is 13km in
a 5-hour walk. The afternoon was occupied by a nap, dinner at 6 a.m., then
back to the sleeping bag.
The refuge is a military standard quartering, it has only 60 beds there.
Uhuru peak, 5,895m:
The wakeup was given about midnight for a departure around 1 a.m..
The walk was with our headlights for a zigzag progress with pause
every 10 minutes on a very stiff slope made of scoriae in a snow
landscape. Around 6 a.m. Gillman's point,
5,685m was reached at sunrise. The group decided to
continue as far as the real top, Uhuru peak, 5,895m high.
This last part took two hours outward walk and return. I was
exhausted.
Horombo hut, 3,720m: The descent was very painful
on the unstable ground. We passed by Kibo
hut the porters awaiting us with our luggage and we
continued as far as Horombo hut. The 31Km
were made in a 7-hour descent. We were so tired that we walked
like automats.
The staff of the refuge welcomed us as a heroes according to
the Tanzanian tradition.
Marangu, 1,550m: The 28Km way was made in 6 hours.
At Marangu Gate our "chief" gave the ten participants,
who had all reached Uhuru peak, a diploma attesting our exploit.
The staff of lodge also welcomed with dignity by a comforting meal. We found
again our rooms to take a well deserved rest. |
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Park entrance |
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Mandara Hut |
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Porters |
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Approach of Kili |
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Once more effort |
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A winner |
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