Part One - Travel Tales - Climbing Kilimanjaro

Terry and Michael had arrived in Africa on May 28, five days before commencement of their Kilimanjaro climb, to allow sufficient time to get over jet lag and to become acclimatized. The time was spent on safari in the area of Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Park, finally ending up on June 1 at the Hotel in Moshi where gear was sorted out and they readied themselves for the challenge ahead.

Before sunset, Felix, the gentleman who would be their guide and protector for the next six days, arrived. Felix is fifty-three years old and has plenty of mountain experience ... a great comfort. Felix asked if they had this-and-that kind of equipment and seemed to be pleased Terry and Michael were well equipped. They would meet again in the morning.
Michael and Terry toasted the mountain with their last beer (until their return) ... suitably the beers name was "Kilimanjaro".
June 2

It was a morning of nervous excitement. Felix arrived shortly after breakfast.
Terry and Michael would meet the rest of the crew at the park gate. Joining Terry and Michael on their climb would be a seven person support team ... Felix, their guide, an assistant guide (needed, should Terry or Michael have to come down while the other continued), a cook and four porters (one which would also serve as a waiter).
This was Day 1 of the climb and as Michael had done each morning on the West Coast Trail, he took a picture of the two of them ... father and son.
Final equipment check. Felix insisted that Terry and Michael rent heavy duty duffel bags for their backpacks which will be carried by the porters on their heads.
It was a fine, dry morning, with some scattered cloud, when they climbed into the van which would take them some 45km from Moshi to Park Headquarters at Marangu Gate on the eastern side of Kilimanjaro - the start point for the climb.
After weighing packs (clients are limited to 15kg each), a final check of supplies and equipment is made and then porters, cook and assistant guide move out. Felix, Terry and Michael complete the necessary paperwork, present passports and shortly after 11:00 they too are underway.
Spirits are high ... the adrenalin is pumping ... were full of nervous anticipation ... with just a touch of apprehension.
The trail is wide and climbs gradually through a lush forest of towering eucalyptus trees. Bonus - few flies and even fewer mosquitoes.
Stopped for a bagged lunch break around 13:30 - what we dont eat is distributed by Felix to support people we meet who are descending the mountain.
Although porters are carrying most of Terry and Michaels gear, Felix is carrying his own.
Terry and Michael drink more than their usual amount of water as dehydration at high altitude can be most dangerous.
They are also taking altitude sickness medication (which acts like a diuretic) so the two combined make for frequent "pee" breaks.
Arrived Mandara Hut, elevation 2720m, at approximately 15:30 under partially overcast skies.
Although the A-frame sleeps four, Michael and Terry will have it to themselves tonight.
Unpack. Abraham, our waiter/porter, delivers a basin of warm water which is well received. This is followed by a bit of relaxing over coffee, tea and popcorn before Jacabo, the assistant guide, arrives to take Michael and Terry up to Maundi Crater.
Its a 15 minute hike above camp and offers great views of Northern Tanzania and Kenya.
On the way back, we see numerous Colubus monkeys. They are beautiful black monkeys with long white hair around the face, white from the shoulders back and bushy white tails.
Back at camp, Abraham calls Michael and Terry to supper just before 19:00 and it is attacked with vigour. Its been a good day.
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