As we are taking in everything around us and plodding up the emergency road, not paying attention to much because after all we are in the middle of almost nowhere, an ambulance comes flying around a corner and almost runs ken over. We are all a bit shaken up, we survived the lions on safari and to almost get taken out by an ambulance 20 minutes into our first day of the climb - not good.
1:04 pm - 11,216' : We stop for lunch at the point were we leave the road and start on the Shira trail in earnest. Lunch is a basic affair, sandwich, hardboiled egg, juice, fruit and a chocolate candy bar for dessert.
3:20 pm - 11,380' - 74 F: We have reached Shira Camp One. Camp is all set up when we arrive. We are having hot tea, hot chocolate or hot coffee and popcorn.
Not only is camp set, the porters had everything set up about 30 minutes before we arrived as we could see them set up as we were still ascending.
Ken and I have a two man "A" frame tent. Once both of us are in with our gear it is a tight fit.
We have a large mess tent, where I now write this, that everyone else will use for sleeping each night - a very very tight fit. The climb team is having a good time talking and sharing stories between themselves, all in Swahaili.
The hike to this first camp was fairly easy. There were a number of sections that seemed steep and my heart rate hit 150 (note to reader: my typical 5K race HR is about 190).
We had to cross over a small stream/river twice, Samson said this was the Simba River. Come very narrow path and very steep descent and climbs to cross. We had a good time singing "Hacuna Matada" apparently this is actually a local song that bears no resemblance to the Disney song.
At first we kept saying "Hacuma" and our guide would laugh. It turns out that this means "Virgin".
At the Londorosi gate, we met two other climb groups. One of six going via the Lemosa Route and another two person team also doing Shira.
Here at camp there are about nine other climb tents and their support teams. Not crowded but not isolated.
Samson tells us during the climb that his grandfather was the guide for Hans Meyer in 1889. His grandfather lived to over 108 years old, but because records were very poor he could have been much older.
He also says that the original name of the mountain was "Chaleema Charo" (Chale-Ma-Charo) which meant "Impossible Safari" - safari meaning journey.
The safari was impossible because snow was all the way down to 3,000' and there was no such thing as gear at that time.
5:20pm : After our warm drink and popcorn we set out with Samson for an easy acclimatization hike. We are treated to a wonderful - amazing really - view of Kili.
Samson talks us through tomorrow's day and points out the general route. The Western Breach Summit route is now closed due to unstable rocks. Due tot he melting of the snow and glacier and constant freeze/thaw action the rock face is apparently very loose. This this the route that several climbers were killed on last year.
KEN'S THOUGHT OF THE DAY - Surreal and very excited. No stress at all. Everyone should take a two week vacation away from it all.
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