We are kicking off another exciting Kilimanjaro expedition! Welcome to the June 18th crew!
We acknowledge that, for many, reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro is a lifelong goal and the culmination of many months of training and years spent dreaming of standing on the Roof of Africa. We are honored that these climbers chose us to guide them on their journey!
The expedition consists of:
- Climber: Veronica Robertson
- Climber: Ashby Robertson
- Climber: Charlie Robertson
- Climber: Kim Martino
- Climber: Christopher Martino
- Climber: Emmett Murphy
- Climber: Dalton Rutledge
Led by their amazing guide:
- Lead Guide: Todd Rutledge
We are excited to follow along as the team begins their journey to ascend the iconic slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in a quest to stand atop the highest summit in Africa at 19,341 feet (5,895 meters). Kilimanjaro, whose name is believed to mean “Mountain of Greatness” in Swahili, is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, rising dramatically from the plains of northern Tanzania. Unlike most major peaks, which are part of larger mountain ranges, Kilimanjaro stands alone as a massive dormant stratovolcano, a geological feature that gives the mountain its unmistakable silhouette and its place as one of the most recognizable peaks on Earth.
Kilimanjaro
The adventure of climbing Kilimanjaro begins the moment you step on the plane, because simply getting to Tanzania is an adventure in itself! Once the team arrives in country, they will gather at their lodging near the mountain to fine-tune equipment, run through final preparations, and meet the local porters and support staff who play an essential role in every Kilimanjaro climb.
From there, the team will travel to the trailhead to officially begin their expedition. Our team will climb Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route, widely considered one of the most scenic and successful routes on the mountain. Starting on the western side of Kilimanjaro, the Lemosho Route begins in remote, untouched rainforest before traversing across the mountain and eventually joining the popular Machame Route higher up. The traverse gives climbers a longer, more gradual approach to elevation, which significantly improves acclimatization and helps maximize the team’s chances of a successful summit.
Lemosho is also one of the most beautiful ways up the mountain. The route winds through Kilimanjaro’s famously diverse climate zones, taking climbers from lush rainforest at the lower elevations, up through heather and moorland, into the otherworldly alpine desert, and finally into the icy, glaciated terrain of the summit zone. Few mountains in the world offer this kind of variety in a single climb, and watching the landscape change from one zone to the next is one of the most memorable parts of the trip.
Acacia trees in Tanzania
Over the course of the expedition, the team will stay in a series of established camps along the route, gradually gaining elevation and giving climbers the time they need to acclimatize. After days of steady climbing, the team will arrive at Barafu Camp, the high camp from which most summit attempts on Kilimanjaro begin. Summit night typically kicks off in the dark hours before midnight, with climbers ascending under headlamp through the cold and thin air toward Stella Point on the crater rim, and then on to Uhuru Peak, the true summit, where they’re often rewarded with a sunrise from the Roof of Africa.
Elephant in Tanzania
Throughout the team’s expedition, please keep in mind the adage “no news is good news” when it comes to updates from the field. Satellite phone reception and connectivity in the mountain’s more remote camps can be limited, and on some days fatigue from a long climb or simply the rhythm of expedition life will mean we won’t hear from the team.
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Family and friends are encouraged to leave comments for their loved ones on this expedition. Please keep in mind that climbers will not be able to see posts or comments until they return from the mountain at the end of the expedition.
Don’t forget that you can subscribe to this expedition’s Field Reports by entering your email address in the form to the right. That way, you never miss an update!
WE WISH THE BEST OF LUCK TO OUR KILIMANJARO TEAM!
PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR MORE UPDATES ABOUT THEIR PROGRESS ON THE MOUNTAIN.
