Last year (March 2012) my wife and I took a trip to Tanzania to climb the highest mountain in Africa - Kilimanjaro. Thought I'd put some photos up.


We spent the first 2 days in Arusha National Park at about 7,000 feet getting acclimatized. This is a fig tree not far from our campsite.



This is our campsite at the end of the first day. Campsite is at about 10,000 feet:



This is the view on day 3. It took us 2 more days to reach the face in the photo which we ultimately climbed on day 6.



This is where we camped for days 4 and 5 at an altitude of 16,000 feet. Took a rest day here to help acclimatize.



Sitting on the edge of the outer crater rim at 18,700 feet. To my left is a vertical drop of 2,700 feet - The breach wall that we just finished climbing.



Standing at the base of the Furtwangler Glacier inside the outer crater of the volcano - elevation 18,700 feet.



This is the view from our tent on day 7. We are camped at 18,700 feet inside the outer crater of the volcano. Temperature that night dropped to 0 F.



This in the inner crater of the volcano. Photo taken from 19,200 feet.



Looking down from the summit into the outer crater where we camped the previous day.



Success. On the summit at 5895m or 19340 feet.

Awesome pictures.

I'm sucking air just looking at the photos.

Wow brother now that was an adventure! Thanks for sharing the incredible photos with us. Congrats to you and your bride on an outstanding accomplishment. Baker

Awesome pics!

Awesome

Tell us how many years of training etc does it take to gear up for a climb like that

4 mile high club?

Was it cold?
It looks cold.
Yeah, I bet it was cold.

Cool pics!

Wow! is all I can say - what an awesome adventure and trip - you will remember that the rest of your lives - congrats!

I hear the drums echoing tonight
But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation
She's coming in 12:30 flight
The moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvation
I stopped an old man along the way,
Hoping to find some old forgotten words or ancient melodies
He turned to me as if to say, Hurry boy, It's waiting there for you

CHORUS:
It's gonna take a lot to take me away from you
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never have

The wild dogs cry out in the night
As they grow restless longing for some solitary company
I know that I must do what's right
As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti
I seek to cure what's deep inside, frightened of this thing that I've become

CHORUS

(Instrumental break)

Hurry boy, she's waiting there for you

It's gonna take a lot to take me away from you
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa, I bless the rains down in Africa
I bless the rains down in Africa, I bless the rains down in Africa
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never have

Well, that's just about the coolest summer vacation....ever.

Depends on what sort of shape you are in to start. I trained for about a year. First 6 months not too hard. Last 6 months I kicked it up to hiking 10-12 miles of hilly terrain with a 70 lb. pack 5 times a week. Also took a few practice trips to Rocky Mountain National Park and climbed a bunch of stuff there.

too cold man

We aren't in Kansas anymore Toto!

Looks like an awesome trip.

awesome pictures

Awesome. Period.

That fig tree looks like its taking a squat...

Awesome adventure to say the least.

Cool pics and story. Thanks for sharing it with us.

I got altitude sickness just looking at the pictures...well done.

What an adventure! Thanks for sharing.

Awesome!