Maybe It's The Water

Mount Kilimanjaro, Machame Route, Tanzania

Saturday, February 15th, 2013

Day #2 – Machame Hut to Shira Hut
Time Started: 0830
Time Ended: 1415
Maximum elevation Reached: 3930 metres (12,893 feet)

Camp Elevation: 3830 metres (12,565 feet)
Total Distance Hiked: Approx: 5 kilometres (3.1 miles)



I'm heading there.....but have to rise early in order to get a view of the summit. The clouds seem to role in later in the day.

Today we got a feel for what the next few days are going to look like. Frankie woke us up promptly at 0700 with a gentle “Hello” followed by a “you’re welcome with warm water for washing”. Once again two bowls of clean, warm water were waiting for us outside our tent. At about 0730, we were greeted with another “hello”, followed by a “you’re welcome for breakfast” and breakfast was served.

Breakfast today consisted of millet porridge (something totally new to me…..it’s kind of tastes sweet……I like it), scrambled eggs, bread, sausage and fresh papaya. While we ate, our camel packs were filled with some wonderful Kilimanjaro spring water (they boil it overnight for us and then it is nice and cool to go into our bags in the morning). We’re told no one has ever gotten sick from the water. Once we ate our fill, which for me was probably not enough (it's just too early but trust me they want you to eat a lot……..we burn a lot of calories during the day and loss of appetite is a symptom and a contributor to altitude sickness) we were packed up and back on the trail.



And the trail begins to get a bit more adventurous. But these guys make it look so easy.

The porters are very systematic with their set-up and taking down of the camp. At least I assume the set-up looks as organised as the take down but we didn’t see that part. On this day the porters left after us, yet they passed us on the trail and had camp set up by the time we got there.

Not a bad view at all if I do say so myself.

In the meantime, we were slowly making are way up the hill. Arshad lead today (well took turns with the assistance guide, Abraham) and we took a much slower pace. Yesterday we moved a little fast and Arshad lagged behind a little (he mentioned he was a little tired and day one is not so intense so our quicker pace was ok) but on this day he would not allow it. We learnt the Swahili words “pole pole” (pronounced like pole-y) which means “slowly slowly”. A nice slow pace is very important to once again try to avoid altitude sickness.

Looking back down at last night's campsite.

But we're going this way. Very often the trail is very narrow so we needed to stop and let the porters go by. Even with all the gear they were moving much faster than we were.

Another beautiful spot to take a rest.

Drinking a ton of water is also very important, which became a little more difficult as the day went on. I mentioned how people warned us about the grossness of the bathrooms on the mountain, however no one mentioned how infrequently they appeared along the trail. The boys obviously had no problem with this but for Lola and myself it was a little bit different. Toilets appeared at the lunch spots but that was about it and it wasn't always that easy to find shelter behind a tree or bolder either. I'm kind of glad we're here during the low season or it would be a lot harder to time things between parades of porters going by. I know Debi is snickering right now but it's not that funny.

Lunch time!!! My favourite time of the day. I ate so much and they always gave us plenty of food. My appetite was never that big at breakfast but I assure you by lunch and dinner I was ready to eat everything in front of me.

A few of the little flowers along the way. As we get higher the flora gets sparse but these certainly did brighten up the hill today.

That's Lola, Greg, Arshad and Axel heading up the hill. Not to worry I'd be catching up shortly.

We managed to push through the day however and safely made it to Shira Hut. It was a much different spot than yesterday. Not so many trees and much more exposed to the elements. You could definitely feel the temperature change as well. Arrival at camp was the same as yesterday, water for washing, tea and popcorn and then we had a short little nap. Boy do I like napping.

After that fantastic nap we headed up a little further with Abraham to check out the Shira Caves.  It was not a very far trip up the hill but we managed to get view of the Shira Camp….which is along another route. i'm sure you are aware there is more than one route to the summit. We picked the most popular.

The water coming down near the little cave.

That's me, Abraham and Greg in the cave. I must mention to you that Abraham (who I'm pretty sure is in his early sixties) has been hiking the last few days in a pair of jeans while wearing an old pair of loafers. Seriously, these mountain guys are crazy!!!!

Did you just see the picture of the cave? Anyone interested in sleeping in them? Not me that's for sure.

A look at the camp site at Shira Hut. Not a lot of cover like the last camp and a little bit colder.

In this picture you can just make out Shira Hut on the left, the camp in the background and yes that is a helicopter landing pad in the foreground. There is also a helicopter pad at the next camp but that's as high as they go. Higher than that emergency evacuations are done to one of these helicopter spots by porters carrying you.

Some of the man made rock formations that decorate the area.

Looking down the valley. So beautiful.

They look cold.

Dinner tonight…..also fantastic I have to add. Fresh cumber soup, herbal pancakes, beef, pilau rice, green beans and fresh mango. Arshad took a break from tour guide duties to cook the rice as there is a bit of a method to it (or so I’m told). We also learnt a little bit more about our wonderful mountain guide. His name is of Indian origin because his grandfather is actually from India. Not a common name here on the mountain but easy to remember.

Eventually it was time for bed…..well not even that late, Lola and I seem to be going to bed very early thus far. We did get a chance to check out a sky full of about a million stars……and a far off lightening storm. Let’s hope those storm clouds stay far away.

Day #2 in the books.

5 to go.

Julie