Rongai Route Schedule

Hi Everyone!

I cannot believe it but it is just a few days before we leave for Tanzania to begin the next phase of our journey, the actual climb up Kilimanjaro. We’re scheduled to leave September 7th. The actual climb starts on September 10th and we’re summiting on the 17th.

From my earlier posting, I’d made mention that we will be climbing up the Rongai trail to reach the summit. Check out this video for an overview of the Rongai route.

Here is a detailed schedule of our trek along the Rongai route:

Day 1: Trailhead to Simba Camp 3-4 hrs
Day 2: Simba camp to 2nd Cave 4-5 hrs
Day 3: 2nd Cave to Kikelelwa 4 hrs
Day 4: Kikelelwa to Mawenzi Tarn: 4 hrs
Day 5: Stay at Mawenzi Tarn
Day 6: Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut: 5-6 hrs
Day 7: Kibo Hut to summit and down to Horombo Hut: 14 hrs
Day 8: Horombo Hut back to Marangu Gate: 6 hrs

The above are regular suggested times but on most days we can easily take more time if needed and get to camp before dark. Summit Day will be tough and very long.

All four climbers, myself, Spencer, Salim and his daughter, Safiya will be accompanied by the following expedition support Team:

One Senior Guide

Two Assistant guides

One Cook

One Assistant Cook

Thirteen Porters

For a total of eighteen on the support team.

           

So, we will be well taken care of. Many of the Kili Alumni’s I’ve connected with said the three meals provided by Kili support teams were fabulous. I will let you know when we get there.

Signing off until the next posting.

Bill

Ps. We have a global tracking device, the Spot GPS, lent to us by the Alzheimer Society of BC for our climb. You will be able to see where we are on the mountain via Spot GPS’s web page. Stay tuned to the blog for further posting details.