Kilimanjaro Climb Day 2 - Mti Mkubwa -> Shira 1

in #travel7 years ago (edited)

Hi everyone,

Here is day 2 of our Kilimanjaro climb which is from Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 camp; out of the rainforest and onto the Shira plateau.

Day 1 Linky

Day 2 Statistics
  • Total Distance 4.86 miles/ 7.8km
  • Total Time 5hrs 42 mins
  • Altitude gain - 2840ft / 865m
  • Final altitude 11600ft /3535m

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Click here for Viewranger link

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The day started as we trekked out of the rainforest where we came across more Colobus monkeys in the trees above us, they have a very distinctive call which makes it quite easy to find them. As we moved out of the rainforest, the landscape changed dramatically. The cover of the trees disappeared and we became surrounded with giant heathers

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The temperature started rising without the tree cover and our pace slowed as the climb began to increase in gradient so we started taking on more and more fluids. That was good in one respect as it reduced the weight on our backs, but didn't help with our need to pee all the time. The need to pee is compounded because we were taking tablets to combat the symptoms of altitude sickness, one of the side affects of which causes you to go to the toilet rather more than usual. Going to the loo on a mountain is not the nicest of experiences, especially for women and usually involves squatting over a hole in the ground that they call a "long drop". Some are not so long!!

The journey across the Shira Plateau did afford us one thing though; our first view of Kilimanjaro on the hike. It literally takes your breath away and no picture can do it justice.

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After nearly 6 hours trekking, we finally made to it Shira 1 camp where our tent had been set up by the crew and we were treated to dinner and a wonderful view of Kili from our dining tent. I set up the camera for a sunset timelapse while we ate and you can see that in the video at the bottom of this post.

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After dinner it was the usual health check by Deuss and Evance (they check your pulse and oxygen levels and chat about how you feel). There were no symptoms as yet - tomorrow would be a different story for me though!!



Thanks for reading, day 3 coming soon..

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Mt Kilimanjaro has been on my bucket list since long before I new what a bucket list was. I'm excited to follow your climb and dream about when it is my turn. I don't really know what about this mountain has captured me but it sure is a breathtaking view of it from the camp.

It is the most amazing thing i have ever done and the view only gets better the closer you get. The summit climb was the hardest thing i've ever had to do, but you'll have to stick around for another 6 days to hear all about that :)

I'll be here for more than just 6 days! Looking forward to the next leg of the climb. And even though no picture can do the beauty justice I'm glad you are sharing, and in my imagination I'm not looking at pictures but am actually there in person. And one day I will be!

This is what I was waiting for! YES day 3 please come fast. Loving it and so jealous of You guys ehehheh :P

Love climbing and hiking, hate heat. Rather you than me! But definitely a once in a lifetime experience, thank you for sharing!

Oh it got a LOT colder! Just warm in the day while were at lower altitudes.

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