Climb Day1: December 27 Machame Gate (6100 ft.) to Camp 1 (9750 ft.)

Day1 Trail Map, Machame Gate to Camp 1.

The Adventure Begins … The Machame trailhead was a complete zoo on Thursday Morning. It was a zoo with guides trying to sort out the porter assignments, making sure that the clients had the proper climbing equipment. Inexperienced “greenhorns” were charging up the trail, full-blast, and stopping to take a break 20 minutes later, exhausted. The base camp did; however, have an exhilarating international flavor, and was simply buzzing with excitement.

African Thief

Machame Trail Head Zoo … Figuratively …. And Literally …

We arrived with our Tusker Trail Guides, Eliykim and Liberati. The lead guide, Eliykim was a member of the Rungwa tribe; while Liberati was a member of the Chagga tribe. Both were native Bantu/Swahili speakers.  Although both men were skilled and experienced guides -- Eliykim had climbed Kilimanjaro more than 275 times, and Liberati more than 100 times – their personalities could not have been more different.

Eliykim, was tall, lean, and movie-star handsome, and could have served as a “dead ringer” for a youthful Morgan Freeman. He was gregarious and engaging in conversation. On the other hand, Liberati was short and solid, the characteristic build of the Chagga people. He was reserved but cordial, answering questions politely, but not offering additional information that was not specifically asked. He was sharp as a tack. When asked about the various flora, or the location of a mountain peak, or the camp height, he immediately had that information on the “top of his head.” As I would learn later Liberati also set a mean trail pace!

At Machame Trail head with Guide Eliykim

With our guides leading way, we set out on the long, unrelenting climb from Machame trailhead @ 6100 ft. elevation up to the first trail camp at 9750 ft. The climb was tiring but uneventful; the first hour being a well-graded double track trail, eventually leading to a well maintained single track after an hour or so. Trail was heavily forested, but was well graded and easy to follow. The trail is maintained for the Kilimanjaro National Park, and the Tanzanians have done quite an excellent job. Our hiking group initially consisted of myself, the guides, and Tusker climbing partner Leighanne Hahn from Richmond Indiana and three French-speaking climbers from Switzerland. Unfortunately, we did not get their names and we lost contact after the first day of climbing. 

Our Guides Eliykim and Liberati (Bad Hombres!) and “Climbing Gals” Taking Lunch

The trail penetrated some “serious green” with dense jungle surrounding on both sides; it was impossible to glimpse a distant view. At first the air was dense, humid, and warm and the heat was oppressive. The heat gave way a pleasant spring-like temperature, at least until we reach base camp – then soon after stopping, it got cold fast! Typical high-mountain weather. As I stood there shivering I tried to remind my-self that I was in the deep tropics and almost standing on the equator – my wishful thinking did no good! All–in-all though the group was in good spirits and it appeared that the increased altitude and fast initial pace was handed well by the group. Personally, I felt amazing and wondered secretly if this trip was going to easy – I would be wrong!

Some Serious Green!

Camp 1, Machame Camp!