What's left to do before the Journey Begins?
Leaving for Tanzania, Africa in 44 Days

Still to do:

1. Complete final shot of Hep A & B on July 20
2. Pickup Malaria and Diamox pills from Dr. Towne w/o Aug 1st.
2. Finalize list of items to take with, complete gear at REI
3. Confirm pickup at Kilimanjaro Airport to be taken to Arusha Hotel
4. Meet team in Nairobia on August 24th, Fly to Kilimanjaro Intl Airport
5. Begin Trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro on August 26th

Stay Tune, more to come......

Temperature Difference while ascending Mt. Kilimanjaro

Due to Mount Kilimanjaro’s proximity to the equator, this region does not experience the extremes of winter and summer weather, but rather dry and wet seasons. January and February are the warmest months, April and May are the wettest months, June and July are the coolest months, and August and September are the driest months. January, February, and September are considered to be the best months to climb Kilimanjaro in terms of weather.

The journey from the gate to the peak is like traveling from the equator to Antarctica in a matter of days. This is because the routes to the Uruhu peak cross different ecological zones. Throughout the climb, temperatures vary considerably with the altitude and time of day. Mount Kilimanjaro has five major ecological zones, each approximately 3,280 feet (1,000 m) in altitude. Each zone is subject to a corresponding decrease in rainfall, temperature and life as the altitude increases. At the beginning of the climb, at the base of the mountain, the average temperature is around 70°F to 80°F (27°C to 32°C). From there, the temperatures will decrease as you move through Mount Kilimanjaro's ecological zones. At the summit, Uruhu Peak, the night time temperatures can range between 0°F to -25F (-18°C to -26°C). Due to Mount Kilimanjaro's great height, the mountain creates its own weather. It is extremely variable and impossible to predict. Therefore, regardless of when you climb, you should always be prepared for wet days and cold nights.

Let the Journey Begin in 8 (WK), 6 (D), 4 (H) - Itinerary

Chicago to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Flight 1            Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Departure:       20:30        Chicago, USA - O'Hare International, T5

Arrival:            19:25 +1   Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Intl, T1

Flight 2            Friday, August 24, 2012

Departure:       09:30        Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Intl., T3

Arrival:            13:20        Nairobi, Kenya - Jomo Kenyatta, TI

Flight 3            Friday, August 24, 2012

Departure:       18:00        Nairobi, Kenya - Jomo Kenyatta, TI

Arrival:            19:10        Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Current Status
Tanzania visa now in hand. All travel plans are now in place. Leaving for Kilimanjaro on August 22. Hepatitis A and B shot scheduled for this Thursday. Workout program exceeding expectations. All systems moving forward to reach for goal in less than 9 Weeks.

Countdown - Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Leave for Tanzania, Africa:

9 (WK), 6 (D),  11 (H), 29 (M)

Yellow Fever shot has been completed, Visa application is in process, Scheduling follow up appointment for other shots and med's for the trip during month of July.

Machame Route is the way UP!!

The Machame route, known as the "Whiskey" route, is now the most popular route on the mountain.

Machame approaches from the southwest and descends using Mweka, rewarding climbers with views of the expansive Shira Plateau, a scramble up Lava Tower, a climb up the Great Barranco Wall, and a traverse underneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Icefield. The descent occurs on the Mweka route. We will be sleeping in supplied tents at designated campsites, and eat

meals either outdoors or inside a large dining tent. Our staff prepares all meals and sets up the tents.

Climbing the Machame route is more difficult, but not technically difficult.

Mostly it is simply a longer and often times steeper trek. It covers more ground and involves more ups and downs. It wears you out more, takes more energy, not more skill. But it offers much better acclimatization!

This is the Itinerary of our 7 Day Trek

Tanzania: background information

Some 80% of the population depend on subsistence level farming.

Credit: WaterAid / Alex Macro

Over 30 million people populate this East African state, four times the size of the UK.

Geographically, its diverse countryside and coastlines are unequivocally beautiful. The Ngorogoro Crater and Mount Kilimanjaro feature particularly, and there is a unique abundance and diversity of wildlife, especially within the Serengeti National Park.

The climate ranges from tropical near the coast to temperate in the highlands, whilst the land consists of coastal plains, a central plateau and highlands in the north and south.

Some 80% of the population depend on subsistence level farming, and Tanzania remains one of the poorest countries of the world (156 of 174 in the UN's Human Development Index), with huge external debt.