Ash cone in the crater of Mt. Meru
On the way down from the summit of Mt. Meru: We can now see where we walked through the darkness of the night on our way up.
Summit of Mt. Meru, elevation approximately 15,000 ft.
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Morning alpine glow near the summit of Mt. Meru
As we descend we walk back into forest and then into rain forest
Our guide Dismus to the left with his crew of cooks and porters
Guides and porters organizing gear
The start of the trail: This is our assistant cook. He has food and group gear on his head, his personal gear is in the backpack on his back.
Machame Gate: This is where we started our hike to the top of Kilimanjaro, elevation about 6,0000 ft.
Celebration meal of grilled gazelle and wildebeest upon completion of climbing Mt. Meru
Waterfall near the trail on our way down to the park entrance
Ranger with rifle to protect us from waterbuffalo
One of many false summits
Shadow of Mt. Meru at sunrise as seen from near the summit
On top of Little Mt Meru with Mt. Kilimanjaro visible on the horizon
On top of little Mt. Meru
Gaining some elevation on Mt. Meru
The beginning of "The 5,000 Steps", day 2, Mt. Meru
Giraffes along the trail as we start our hike
Mother and very young giraffe
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Pointing at Mt. Kilimanjaro
Early morning shadow of Mt. Meru more defined
Kjirsten & Dismus
Sunrise over Mt. Kilimanjaro
Sunrise on Mt. Kilimanjaro as seen from Mt. Meru
Mt. Meru visible from nearby our first camp
Mt. Kilimanjaro as seen from Mt. Meru just prior to sunrise
Organizing gear for Mt. Meru
The "Baranko Wall" visible from camp 3.: We will climb the 800 foot wall to start tomorrow's hike.
Alpine glow on the Baranko wall.
Sunset from above camp Shira.
Evening clouds lift along the base of the summit peak.
Strange looking plants along the canyon leading to camp 3.
Day 4. After climbing the Baranko wall we are "in the clouds"
Fresh snow on the mountain across the valley.
Trying to wam up inside the tent.: I must have gotten chilled on the last part of the climb through sleet and than snow. I put all of my layers on and than crawled into my down sleeping bag to try warm up. If I am this cold now what will tomorrow bring 4,400 feet higher?
Toilets with a view, actually just a box around a hole in the ground.
High camp at the end of day 4, elevation 15,000 feet.: It is a lot more rugged here. There is no vegetation at this location and it is quite cold this evening with prior sleet and snow.
Once again the clouds clear at sunset for an evening view of the summit.: The true summit is the higher peak to the right. We will traverse to the right for 2 more days and than climb up the rigde on the right to reach the summit.
Kjirsten enjoys one last look before darkness settles in.
Camp Shira (Day 2): There were about 150 registered trekkors at this camp plus about 3 to 4 support people for each trekkor. This made for a lot of people and a lot of tents. This photo shows just one of several camping areas.
The clouds break for our first view of the summit from camp 1: The clouds cleared just in time for the apline glow which lasted just a few minutes.
Sheldon and Dismus discuss the plan for tomorrow and enjoy the views of the evening
This looked and tasted very good for "trail food": There was a very good soup in the pot he is holding. There also was excellent deep fried fish to go with the potatoes and vegetables.
Near camp 1, elevation about 10,000 feet: Notice that the trees are not as tall at this elevation, we have passed out of the rain forest to more of a sub alpine climatic zone.
