Kilimanjaro and being a chicken shit: Day 1

Liene Lapsevska
Jul 28, 2017 · 3 min read

There are quite a few ways how to get to the top of the world’s highest free standing mountain. Marangu or Coca Cola route — no, that sounds lame. Machame or Whiskey route — don’t like the drink. Lemosho route — one of the newest routes and promises “beauty, remoteness and high success rate”. SOLD. We also decided to amend the original plan by adding additional day for acclimatisation , making it 7 days and 6 nights.

“Loic, how did you prepare for the climb and to be exact, what do you think of the altitude sickness?” Both me and Jeremy are keen to know since altitude was the second most googled key word for me, just after “hidden germs in bar snacks”. “I have done quite a few long distance hikes, also some in high altitude. However this time I did not take the altitude tablets since there is no 100% guarantee that they work plus they give me ridiculous nightmares and hallucinations at times...”

Jesus Christ, thanks God I didn’t even think of taking them! My only preparation for 3,000m+ environment was a lunch time visit to the Altitude training centre. After learning that a quick course of 3 X 10 min would cost me the same as my hiking boots, I was ready to faint…

So it begins

Kili family — John John, me, Loic, Jeremy, Kisanga

It’s the morning of our departure and our first encounter with the new family — John John (the chief guide), Kisanga (second in command) and only 13 porters that will carry up the mountain all our sh*t. I am still amazed why on earth we need 13 people just for 3 of us.

We shake hands and witnessing ant like movements — suddenly the mini van is full with stuff — tents, food, bags after bags and smiling faces. “Today will be an easy one — nice 4 hour walk to our first camp towards Mt Mkubwa camp site. Moshi town is already high up — 915m and the first camp is at 2,750 m. So boys and girls, welcome to Kilimanjaro!” says Tanzanian Barry White John John.

Snippet of a rather challenging part — sitting in the bus
The Blue Monkey at the first camp — Mkubwa Camp (2,750 m)
The very first steps at the Mt Kilimanjaro Natural park
The Blue Monkey — friendly. As for as the monkies go
Black-and-white colobuses
Reaching the first gate — how nice of them to point out that ONLY 22hrs to the top …

Liene Lapsevska

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Life stories from London

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