Beer

Our final day on the mountain took us through rainforest and we experienced our first real rain. The shuttle back to Arusha went a lot quicker and we enjoyed our first beer in.. well just a week.

From Kilimanjaro

The Final Ascent

We started out final climb at midnight and walked through the night to the crater rim, lifted by the singing of our guides. Some were ready to stop but Joshua insisted that only altitude sickness was a good enough reason to turn back and we all made it to the summit. The sign read 5895m and the GPS more or less agreed.

From Kilimanjaro

After a short rest we began the descent.

From Kilimanjaro

After a 17 hour day we finally made it to the nights camp

From Kilimanjaro

First day on Kilimanjaro

Straight to Tanzania

Since the shuttle service we originally booked failed to pick up the others from the airport, we booked with Bobby Shuttle to get to Arusha. Of course this time both shuttles were there to pick us up and some angry words spoken.

The trip to Arusha was longer than expected and bladders were strained until Sarah insisted the driver pull over right away so everyone could pee on the side of the road. In a village. With no bushes.

We caught our first glimpse of the mountain..

From Kilimanjaro

That night we had a pre-departure meeting with Joshua followed by excessive eating at the local Chinese restaurant.

Arrival in Nairobi

Not much to say, got picked up and taken to our crappy little accommodation where I met up with Chris, Michelle, Ray and Sarah. I paid too much for the shuttle.