The big day has arrived! Yesterday we had our gear check. We had two guides conduct this, one who’s name is Aga, and the other guide’s name is hard to pronounce but he said his nickname is “K2” so we are all going with that. They were pretty serious about the inspection, starting at the top of your head you have to show everything you have down to your feet. I passed, thankfully. Aga shook my hand very seriously. This will be the 75th hike to the summit for Aga. K2 has hiked to the top so many times that he has lost count – but he knows it is over 200 times. So this makes me feel like we are in very good hands.
In the afternoon a group of us went into Arusha. It is a typical small town for Africa, very crowded, lots of little shops for tourists. Very very dirty. We went to one shop area and all bought some trinkets. The shopkeepers are very aggressive about trying to get you into their store, and reluctant to let you leave. The haggling is fun, I got to get all serious and dramatic and whittle original $25 prices down to $8 or $12 depending on what I was buying. But there was this one woman who was making beaded bowls, they were quite beautiful. I asked her how much for a particular bow, expecting to hear $25 or $35 and she replied very quietly, “ten dollars” and looked at me with very tired eyes. So I paid her $15, which was all I had left.
I woke up this morning at 4:30 am, wide awake. We leave for the mountain gate at 8:30 am african time. This means we’ll actually leave around 10:00 am. But we are all very relaxed and happy. The group has really gelled beautifully – we stayed at the dinner table last night until around 10 pm talking and sharing stories. So far there doesn’t seem to be anyone that has the possibility of being a jerk. Let’s see how we all do after 5 days of no showers, temperatures hovering at zero and about 50% of the oxygen we’re used to having.
I don’t know if I will be able to update my blog or post anything during the hike. I’ve been told there are a few hot spots on the mountain, and I’ll attempt when ever possible. Photos are unlikely until I return to the lodge on the 25th. But you can view our progress on the website i put in an earlier post, should you be interested.
Much love to everyone!
Categories: Africa
Did I say that out loud? 
It’s 10:30 your time, and I expect you and the group are just about to begin your climb up Mt. Kili. Your excitement is so tangible, that it is spine-tingling just thinking about such an amazing adventure. It’s a relief to know that the guides take the equipment so seriously. But can’t believe someone actually brought an iron! Is there a formal ball up on the top that no one told you about? LOL! Bonne chance today… I’ll be thinking of you hour to hour as you take step by step towards the clouds. Hope the loo facilities meet your approval! 🙂
Kelly, I am comforted in knowing that in addition to the “check-in/OK” and “track progress” icons on the hike tracker website, there is a “help” icon. I am hoping someone at the foot of Mt. Kili has WIFI so they can see this icon if indeed you do need help!
Not to worry, we have emergency gear with us.
Kelly, I’m comforted in knowing that in addition to the “check-in/OK” and “track progress” icons, there is a “help” icon on your hike-tracking website. I just hope someone at the foot of Mt. Kili has wifi so they are notified if you do indeed need help!