Simba Camp (Day 1)

The following pictures and videos show our continued Day 1 hike enroute to our first camp, Simba Camp, 2,671 meters (3,552 ft).

Bill and two Guides trekking through Kilimanjaro’s rain forest. It was a relatively hot day. Even though it was a rain forest the air was still filled with dust stirred up by the constant wind. Not so much at the lower elevations but more so as we continued to hike higher into the mountain side.

One of 12 Porters assigned to us 4 climbers hiking alongside. Many of the Porters were incredibly fit and able to carry our overweight duffel bags up the mountain. Many times, along the trail, they would pass us and setup tent at our next camp destination waiting for us to arrive.

This is how I was guided up the mountain. The Senior Guide, Elias would hold the specially carved walking staff at one end in his left hand and I would do the same at the other end. As I sense the Staff veering left, I would veer left with it. As the Staff veers right, I would veer towards the right. If the Staff elevates or veers downward, I will know that I need to prepare myself to climb up or down the hiking trail. On the way to the 2^nd camp, I was also held by Winfred, the 2^nd Sr Guide, in my left arm to prevent me from tripping over any unexpected rocks or roots along the trail. This was the guiding mode Elias and Winfred took from 2^nd camp onwards as you will see en route to 2^nd Cave, the next camp site after Simba Camp.

Salim and me crossing a bridge. 

En route to Simba Camp we passed by a village with children. Small villages are scattered throughout Kilimanjaro mountain itself. The villages are sustained by farming or the younger men and boys would support their entire village by portering or guiding in Kilimanjaro’s tourism industry.

Salim resting after several hours of hiking. We’ve not reached Simba camp yet.

At this rest stop was our first Out House. It will prove to be one of the best maintained out houses on the mountain as we hiked to the higher camps.

We’re getting closer to Simba Camp. You can see this in this video.

The Porters had hiked ahead of us with all our luggage and tents and food and had setup camp ready to receive us. We had the royal treatment as we entered into the camp.

As you can see, we weren’t too worse for the wear on our first day of hiking. I was in the forefront seemingly still fresh from hiking about 4 hours up a reasonably sloped hill to reach Simba camp. 

The same can be said of our climbing team. They had even setup a “mess” (food) tent for dinner. 

While in the mess tent, I gave a short report of our first day.

In addition to the cook, we were served by a waiter who also probably assisted with the cooking. Our waiter served us breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks throughout the entire journey to the top.

We had popcorn for snacks. At other times it was roasted peanuts.

...and, for dinner, we had spaghetti and meatballs, African style. We were fed very well As part of the full dinner throughout the climb there would be salad, soup, chicken or pork for the main course, along with rice, potato or pasta. We would have choice of bacon, eggs, sausages, toast, cereal or porridge for breakfast. Lunch would be provided in a plastic lunch box given to us daily with sandwich, fruits, drink and, yes, even desert, cookies or brownies. We were well fed.

 Salim and I feasting on the first day's dinner.

Next post: Day 2.