Enjoying the sunrise from the crater rim on Kilimanjaro

Dates (7-day climbing program)
August 24 - September 1, 2008
January 10 - 18, 2009
September 6 - 14, 2009

Prerequisites
While Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb, it still is a very high mountain with significant elevation gain, variable weather and rough trails. Participants on this climb should feel comfortable hiking on steep terrain that is often loose, and be prepared for 6-8 hours of travel on most days. The day of the summit climb usually involves 7 hours climbing uphill followed by a 6 hour descent to the final campsite. People who are physically fit and experienced hikers should have no problem with the physical challenges presented.

In terms of altitude though, while our pace and longer itinerary for this route will help everyone to acclimatize and be able to enjoy the summit day, some people may find it more difficult than others to adequately acclimate. This generally is not related to overall fitness or experience though.

Reggie, one of our Kili Guides

We also work with a highly respected Tanzanian outfitter to ensure that our guiding and porter staff are both of the best caliber and also to ensure that they are working under acceptable conditions. This combination of local Tanzanian guides working with a professional Canadian Mountain Guide with extensive african experience means you will get all the local expertise and "flavour" in addition to the peace of mind of having a western trained guide with many years of high altitude guiding experience from around the world (Brian has also climbed and guided multiple expeditions to Kili, Aconcagua, Denali, Elbrus, Mount Logan and Vinson Massif, as well as countless expeditions at home in Canada), advanced Wilderness First Aidtraining, modern group equipment and medical supplies.

Our route will take us across the scenic and less-traveled Shira Plateau as our approach to Kibo. This will also allow us a side trip up the Cathedral on the edge of the Shira Plateau to enjoy a unique and spectacular view of the main massif of Kilimanjaro, Kibo summit. After crossing the Shira Plateau we will traverse underneath the amazing spectacle of Kilimanjaro's South face glaciers and ice routes to finish up via the Mweka Route to Uhuru Summit (the highest point of Kilimanjaro).

Our schedule of 7 days allows enough time to comfortably acclimatize while on the mountain and will give us the best chance of summitting while also being able to actually enjoy the ascent! The total length planned for the expedition is 9 days, which includes 1 travel day, 1 logistics day and 7 days for ascending and moving camps.

Day 1 (August 16 and/or August 24, 2008)
Get picked up at Kilimanjaro Airport and travel to Marangu and our hotel base; relax, sort & confirm gear, etc. Sleep in Marangu.
Day 2
This day is spent sorting gear, registering with the Parks service, arranging final details, meeting with our porters and adjusting to the time difference. Also, this day allows for any unforeseen gear or other issues to be dealt with. We will be able to go for a scenic hike or visit the local market in the afternoon.
Day 3
We will drive to the park entrance and trailhead at Lemosho Glades in the morning and begin hiking to our 1st camp in the jungle at the edge of the Shira Plateau just below the treeline. The hike this day winds up and through the Lemosho Glades, beautiful old growth jungle with Colubus Monkeys, elephants and other wildlife to be seen. This day involves about 3-4 hours of hiking.
Day 4
We head up above the treeline and through the moorlands to camp on the Shira Plateau. There are great views during this day looking out towards Amboseli in Kenya. This day has about 5-6 hours of hiking.
Day 5
Our 3rd day on the mountain is spent traversing across the Shira Plateau with side trip options up to the Shira Cathedral and Spires. These are the remnants of the extinct Shira volcano, the lowest of Kili's 3 summit cones. Our night will be spent at Shira Camp at 3,800 m. The length of this day depends on the side trip options, but is between 4-7 hours.
Day 6
On this day we climb up the ridge to the Lava Tower camp at 4,600m for lunch and acclimatization, with fantastic views of the mountain and the Western Breach and Diamond Glacier. Our camp this night is at the Barranco Camp at 3,900 meters.
Day 7
The 5th day on the mountain is spent traversing underneath the amazing south face glaciers and ice routes of Kilimanjaro as we cross over to our high camp at the Barafu Hut camp. We will arrive early here and spend the afternoon and evening resting up for our final summit day.
Day 8
Summit day! We are up very early and on the route to the summit in time for a spectacular sunrise from the crater rim and Uruhu Peak, the highest point on Kilimanjaro at 5,895m. We will travel up the Mweka route by starlight beginning at 12 midnight. Our return will be down the Mweka route as well, past the Barafu Hut and down to Mweka camp just above the jungles for a final night.
Day 9
Our last day on the mountain is a wonderful descent back down through the jungle rainforest to get picked up at the Mweka Gate trailhead and back to the hotel for a celebration with the team members, guides and all of our porters!
Day 10
Depart for home, or join us on a Wildlife Safari to visit 3 of the National Parks in Tanzania.

Group sizes on this expedition are kept small to increase the enjoyment of all members of the team, and to improve the chance of success for all. There will be a maximum of 4 members per each guide, with a maximum of two guided groups per trip. On the summit day there will be one guide for every 2 climbers.

• Boots - sturdy leather backpacking or light mountaineering boots (1 pr)
  
• Approach shoes - shoes for the lower mountain approach and around camp (1 pr)
  
• Sleeping bag - good to minus 10 Celsius range (1)
  
• Sleeping pad - Ensolite or Thermarest type (1)
  
• Backpack - internal frame, approx. 30-50 litres (1)
  
• Light weight hiking pants (1 pr)
  
• Hiking shorts (1 pr)
  
• Expedition style outer shell jacket with hood - Gore-Tex style (1)
  
• Full-zip outer shell pants (or bibs) - Gore-Tex style (1 pair)
  
• Thermal underwear for summit day - top and bottom, Poly-pro, Capilene, etc. (1 pr)
  
• Insulating pants - fleece or pile (1 pr)
  
• Lightweight gaiters - optional, good for keeping scree out of boots (1 pr)
  
• Gloves (medium weight) - wool or poly-pro (1 pr)
  
• Expedition style gloves or mitts w/removable liners (1 pr)
  
• Socks - synthetic, wool or wool blend (2-3 pr)
  
• Warm parka - down, fleece or pile (1)
  
• Sweater or vest - wool, fleece or down (1)
  
• Toque/warm hat - wool or fleece (1)
  
• Hat with sun visor (baseball cap, etc) (1)
  
• Bandannas (1-2)
  
• Glacier style sunglasses with side shields and nose shield (1 pr)
  
• Headlamp with extra batteries
  
• Personal kit - (toothbrush, foot powder, skin cream, pee-bottle, etc.)
  
• Personal 1st aid
  
• Misc. personal items (camera, book, cards, journal, walkman, blister kit, medications, etc.)
  
• Water bottles/hydration system - minimum 2 litres. No hydration systems for summit day, they will freeze - traditional water bottles only
  
• Sunscreen and lip screen (min. 30 spf & waterproof)
  
• Collapsible ski/walking poles (1 pr)
  
• Large duffel bag with lock (1)

When organizing your equipment, remember that the conditions on Kili will vary from +30 and humid on the lower mountain, to possible lows of -20 degrees Celsius on summit day. Outer clothing should be capable of venting, and you should be able to get in and out of it easily. Inner layers should be able to dry easily and retain warmth when damp. The first and last day will be spent in a rainforest on the lower slopes and often is quite wet. Take into account your own personal "warmth rating". If you know that your hands don't warm up easily, or your feet are always cold, keep that in mind.

Participants of this trip should plan on arriving in Tanzania no later than on Friday August 16th (trip #1) or Saturday August 24th (trip #2). Return flights can be booked for any day AFTER the posted last day of the expeditions.

For arriving flights, please arrange to fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania. If you are joining Canada West Mountain School on our Mount Kenya trip, then you may wish to consider returning via Nairobi, Kenya. Please contact our office directly to discuss travel plans.

When you register, a pre-trip package of information will be sent to you, as well as follow-up discussions via phone and email to ensure you are well prepared for your adventure!