Note: Picture above was taken above Summit Lake in July.

The Machame Route

When folks find out that The Badger is headed to Kili and they realize that I’m actually going to try to summit the dang thing, these are the most common five questions that I hear:

• “How long will the climb take?”
• “How far will you climb each day?”
• “How many people are going?”
• “How tall is it again?” {Followed by an audible gasp when they hear the answer}; and
• “How will you go to the bathroom?” {Yesssss.}

Before I answer, let’s have a quick geography lesson about the great and marvelous Kilimanjaro.  Kili, the highest point in the continent of Africa, is a dormant (but not extinct) volcano in Tanzania. It is one of the famed “Seven Summits” and is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world.  Just LOOK at her!

The mountain is located in Kilimanjaro National Park and may only be climbed with a permit AND an accredited guide.  It has seven established routes (there is also an eighth–the Western Breach–but it is considered to be too dangerous after three American climbers were killed by a rockfall in 2006.  It was temporarily closed but apparently has recently reopened with a route change to avoid some of the more dangerous areas).  If you want to read more about the different routes, please go here: Kili Climbing Routes. We are taking the Machame route, reputed to be the most scenic.

Speaking of guides, our Kili Team has the BEST GUIDE bar none:  Jeff Evans from MountainVision Expeditions.  Read about Jeff–he is a badass’s badass of the highest caliber.  Mountain Vision Expeditions-Jeff Evans 

So now that you’ve been properly educated about the basics, here are answers to the five questions above:

1. The climb will take seven days.  We will depart from the Machame Gate on the morning of September 20 and return via the Mweka Gate on September 26, 2016.  Of course, we don’t summit on the last day, because we do have to come back DOWN–no escalators or elevators.  Summit NIGHT happens on the 25th.  We set out at o’dark hundred (around 1:00 am), reach the summit in 7-8 hours, and then descend for another minimum five hours.  Summit Day will be the final exam and by far the most difficult–yet the most rewarding.  To stand at Uhuru Point would be one of the most epic moments of my life.
2. How far will we climb each day?  See for yourself!  Here is the day-by-day overview.  mvx-kilimanjaro-grand-expedition-september-kili-climb-2016-machame-route Note that The Badger is most freaked out about the Great Barranco Wall, scheduled for September 23.  However, I have it from a reputable source that if I was able to conquer most of the boulder field on Mount St. Helens, I will “dance up the Barranco Wall.”  I, therefore, am looking forward to bustin’ a move up the Barranco Wall.  There will be a photo and maybe even video….  🙂
3. Last I heard, we have 21 climbers in our group, and I believe that includes our guide, photographer, and videographer.  Adding to that 70+ experienced porters and staff, we will be a giant fustercluck of nearly 100 people climbing that mountain.  Gosh!!! I plan to tip my porter very well for having to carry my stuff all the way to the top.  I will only be required to carry as 15-20 pound day pack.  Bless their hearts for taking the heavy stuff.
4. At Uhuru Point, Kili is 5,895 meters (19,341 feet).  {GASP!!!!!}  This is considered to be “extreme altitude.” “Extreme altitude” equals insufficient oxygen:  not because there is less oxygen in the air but because the air pressure at the top of Kilimanjaro is roughly 40% of that at sea level.  As a result, it becomes harder to get that oxygen into your lungs because each breath only allows in about half of what you would get at sea level.  Let there be no mistake:  THIS is the thing I fear most about Kili. Yesterday during our pre-climb conference call, Jeff described Kili’s high altitude as the “great equalizer.”  It discriminates against no one–everyone is subject to getting very sick.
5. And last but not least, bathrooms:  No, there are no flushers on Kili.  We apparently get the pleasure of an occasional drop toilet (basically a hole dug in the ground–NASTY!!!) or a personal cat hole when a drop toilet is not in the vicinity.  And I think our expedition crew brings portable loos (This reminds me–I should probably do an entire post on female urinary directors, something that has delighted me no end!)

So, there you have it.  Set your alarm for September 20, Africa time, and follow along.  I will try to get messages back to civilization when I can, but as of now, I have no idea what that’s going to look like.  Just think nice, warm, oxygenated thoughts for all of us.  Seattle air is going to taste simply delicious when I get back home, and I will never take it for granted again.

By the way, if you have a question, please submit it to The Badger through the Comment section below.  I’d be happy to weigh in. Maybe I’ll even write a whole blog post about it.  Thank you for your support.

Onward and UPWARD,

-Badger