Kilimanjaro Day 1

August 3, 2024 - Trek Day!

Pick up was at 08:30. Today's temps: 76°F High 42°F Low

Weather: Overcast, 50% chance of rain.  The rain started to drizzle as we were leaving Arusha.

Along our journey, we decided to make a quick stop at a local market, which turned out to be a fun little detour. Among the usual snacks and supplies, something caught my eye—Ketchup Pringles. Bob, being a HUGE fan of the Ketchup flavor, couldn’t resist trying them. They were surprisingly good, but he stills preferred the bold taste of "Canadian" Lay’s Ketchup chips. After indulging in the snack and taking a short restroom break, we hit the road again, feeling refreshed and ready to start our big adventure.

As we neared the West Kili House area, before reaching the entrance, we had an unforgettable wildlife sighting. About 50 yards from the road, we spotted a small group of five giraffes casually munching on acacia leaves from a tall tree. In the distance, we could see two more pods of giraffes, bringing the total to ten. They seemed to be at peace, wandering in the golden light of the afternoon, completely undisturbed by the vehicles passing on the road.

We arrived at our destination around 15:00 and quickly went through the registration process with the Park Rangers. While waiting, we took the opportunity to fuel up. Our snack box lunches were ready to go—simple but filling: a piece of chicken, a hardboiled egg, a banana, an apple, some cold French fries, peanuts, a tortilla, a coconut cookie, and a juice box. As we sat down to eat, we noticed some movement near the reception building; three Mantled Guereza monkeys were casually sipping water from the Ranger Station condensation line. Their distinctive black-and-white fur made them easy to spot, and watching them up close was a rare treat.

Our trek began shortly thereafter. Day 1’s hike was 3.1 miles (5 kilometers), and it took us about 2 hours and 16 minutes to complete, averaging roughly 43 minutes per mile. The weather was on our side—cloudy but without a hint of rain. Along the way, we encountered more wildlife, including two additional Mantled Guereza monkeys, a Blue monkey, and a Dendrohyrax—a curious little creature that looked like a cross between a groundhog and a squirrel, perched high up in a tree. The altitude gain was steady, about +1,225 feet in total, and by the end of the day, our step count was close to 18,000. As we climbed, our guide kept reminding us with the Swahili phrase of the day: “Pole, pole,” meaning “Slow, slow.” It was the perfect mantra as the hike became steeper and my heart rate climbed—probably around 110 to 120 beats per minute during those ascents. Despite the challenge, we felt strong, and the gradual pace allowed us to enjoy the views without feeling rushed.

Back at camp, we were greeted with a pre-dinner snack of popcorn and tea—comforting and warm after the day’s exertion. Dinner followed soon after: a simple yet satisfying meal of fish, roasted potatoes, and vegetable soup. The hearty meal was exactly what we needed to replenish our energy for the next day.

That night, we settled into our two-person tents. For a camping experience, it was surprisingly comfortable, especially with the added "luxury" of a private bathroom—though the squatty potty required some serious squatting! Koby, added a humorous touch to the day. We teased him that he packed a massive "couch" in his bag, which had taken three porters to haul up the mountain! Despite his packing, he somehow managed to forget several key items: his ski parka, pee bottle, a monocular rangefinder, and perhaps most importantly, Aleve and Advil. We all agreed that Koby’s "forgot list" would probably grow longer before the trip ended. In fact, there’s no doubt about it!

While Bob slept soundly that night, some of the others weren’t as lucky. The rainforest had its own soundtrack, with monkeys fighting in the trees and fellow campers snoring in unison. The next morning, it became clear that ear plugs were the secret weapon of the night.  Fortunately, Bob had us covered in this area!

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