The Mwalimu Nyerere/Mt. Kilimanjaro Charity Climb 2011 (post 6 of 15)

Tuesday 20 September 2011
This is it! The first day of the Mt. Kilimanjaro climb and, following a surprisingly regular occurrence every year, I was the last person in our group to leave my room, having stayed up working late into the early hours.

Again, I was the reason why the truck taking us to the drop-off point made two stops in Moshi town: for rental of additional gear, and for flu medication.

At Londrossi Gate of the Kilimanjaro National Park the place was crowded with visitors and porters. I had never seen such a large number of hikers.

The trek from the the drop-off point to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp

After a four hour trek to Mti Mkubwa we found the camp crowded with tents.

Next: The Seven Hills' challenge

Related post:
http://blogkili.blogspot.com/2012/01/the-mwalimu-nyereremt-kilimanjaro_9748.html
http://blogkili.blogspot.com/2012/02/the-mwalimu-nyereremt-kilimanjaro_23.html

The Mwalimu Nyerere/Mt. Kilimanjaro Charity Climb 2011 (post 5 of 15)

Monday 19 September 2011
I was one of the first clients in the CRDB branch Bank in Moshi when it opened, having survived Moshi with only four thousand shillings yesterday because of an ATM card that is defective.

Jaffar Amin called to inform me of his arrival as I was having breakfast and I picked him up and we headed to the Springlands Hotel. I told him I was relieved he had managed to join the climb because Jim Becket's documentary depended on his presence.

At Springlands Hotel Jim had arrived with Jim Whitney, the cameraman and his son August who resembles one of the younger European princes. I don't know whether I get the impression from his haircut or whether it is his height. I hint some resemblance.

Andrea Wobmann was also present, rearing to go and with her constant jovial mood.

I attempted to stay up working late, as usual on the eve of a Kilimanjaro climb, but felt unwell from the flu-like symptoms induced by what I suspected was a night spent in a hotel room with a Gypsum ceiling.

Next: The climb begins

Related posts:
http://blogkili.blogspot.com/2012/01/the-mwalimu-nyereremt-kilimanjaro_4.html
http://blogkili.blogspot.com/2012/01/the-mwalimu-nyereremt-kilimanjaro.html

The Mwalimu Nyerere/Mt. Kilimanjaro Charity Climb 2011 (post 4 of 15)

Saturday 17 September 2011
I stayed up late typing on my laptop until 06:45 A.M. and then tried, without success, to sleep.

I boarded the afternoon flight from Mwanza to the Kilimanjaro International (KIA) Airport and arrived in Moshi in the late afternoon.

Jaffar Amin sent a message to inform me he was on the 09:00 A.M. Kampala Coach bus to Moshi via Nairobi to join this year's Mwalimu Nyerere/Mt. Kilimanjaro Charity Climb.

Next: An incident with Gypsum

Posts related to this one:
http://blogkili.blogspot.com/2011/12/the-mwalimu-nyereremt-kilimanjaro_19.html
http://blogkili.blogspot.com/2012/01/the-mwalimu-nyereremt-kilimanjaro_9748.html