The Epic Climb 2009 participants will begin their quest August 28th, 2009.
 Route
Nearly 25,000 people per year attempt to summit the "Top of Africa".
We will climb via the Machame Route, also called the “Whiskey
Route.” It is the second most popular route, considered the most
beautiful, and is completed in six or seven days. A distinct advantage
to Machame Route is that climbers make a relatively quick rise to
elevation in the first few days, making altitude acclimatization easier, and helps greatly in preparing for the summit day.
Tour Operator
We have
contracted with Tusker Trail (www.tusker.com) to be our guides, as
they are among the most experienced and professional trekking companies
on the mountain. Since his first climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in 1977,
founder and African-born Eddie Frank has climbed Africa's tallest
mountain nearly 40 times. Tusker chooses less traveled routes that
slowly wind their way up the mountain, leading to an awe-inspiring
adventure. In our opinion, Tusker Trail is the best tour operator on
Mount Kilimanjaro, offering the following:
- 32 years of experience on Kilimanjaro
- Professional mountain guides that undergo extensive annual
training
- The best climber-to-guide ratio of all tour operators
- Extensive pre-trip planning and tips
- Top of the line equipment
- Gourmet chefs that cater to your dietary issues
- 98% success rate of climbers summiting (the other 2% are
escorted safely down the mountain)
Itinerary
Our 60
climbers will be divided into 2 different groups with 2
departure dates. The first group will begin
their quest on August 28th, 2009 and the second group on
the following day, August 29th, 2009. Both groups will
follow the same itinerary below.
Day 1 – FLY FROM DAR ES SALAAM TO KILIMANJARO
3,000-ft/600-m
After arriving at Kilimanjaro airport, we will check into
our hotel. We spend one night in Moshi allowing you time
to meet with your guides and walk through a detailed
climb orientation and gear check.
Day 2 - MACHAME GATE TO MACHAME CAMP
9,750-ft/2,971-m • 6.17 miles /9.9 km • 4-5 hours
After breakfast, you will be transported to the gates to KILIMANJARO
NATIONAL PARK. We pass banana and coffee
plantations, and stop briefly at a few small shops
en-route for those last-minute supplies. After some
basic paperwork, we start our climb.
The track narrows, and then leads us uphill for about 4
hours through the tropical rain forest to Machame Hut.
Your tent will already be set up for you by our
campmaster, so all you have to do is enjoy the natural
beauty and solitude.
Day 3 - MACHAME CAMP TO SHIRA PLATEAU
12,480/3,804-m • 2.81 miles /4.52 km • 7-8 hours
We start out at about 8 a.m. and leave the last glades
of the rain forest behind. On a clear day you can see
your first close-up of Kibo Peak - from 20 miles away.
Passing the fields of heather, the mountainside
gradually opens up. You might begin to feel the effects of
the altitude, and should walk slowly for two reasons -
because that's all
you can do; and to enjoy the hike. In other words, "stop
to smell the giant lobelia". After 9,000 ft. you reach
the first pass, the first species of lobelia, protea and
giant senecia, and reach Shira in 5 hours.
Day 4 - SHIRA PLATEAU TO BARRANCO CAMP
12,850/3,916-m • 5.62 miles /9.05 km • 7-9 hours
We hike uphill, past the Lava Tower (a monolithic
volcanic rock formation), and slowly trek downhill past
our first Lobelias and Giant Senecias, around Kibo's
spectacular south-facing glaciers. The view of the
towering peaks are spectacular. After descending through
the heather and lobelias we arrive at Barranco Camp.
Day 5 - BARRANCO CAMP to KARANGA CAMP
13,200-ft/4,023-m • 2.60 miles / 4.18 km • 4-7 hours
We spend this extra day to help acclimatize to the
altitude. Our first challenge of the day is to breach
the Barranco Wall - not too tough, but a challenge
nonetheless. Most of the day is spent skirting the base
of Kibo peak over our left shoulder. We descend down
into the Karanga Valley, and climb up the other side,
where we rest up for the night before the tough climb up
to Barafu hut.
Day 6 - KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP
14,950-ft/4,556-m • 2.11 miles /3.40 km • 6-8 hours
The air starts getting quite thin, and you will be
running short of breath. This is a tough, but rewarding
uphill climb to the rocky, craggy slopes at the camp. "Barafu"
means "ice" in Swahili, and it is very cold at
this altitude. We arrive here relatively early. This is
an important part of our plan, as we need to hike up a
thousand feet from camp, so we can acclimatize at around
16,000 ft. before we climb to the crater tonight. We'll
go to bed early because we start our climb at 4:00 am
for the final leg to Uhuru Peak.
Day 7 – BARAFU TO UHURU PEAK TO MILLENNIUM CAMP (12,500
FT.)
Summit: 19,340-ft/5,895-m • 3.5 miles / 5.63 km •
7-8 hours
Millennium: 12,500-ft/3,810-m • 5.95 miles / 9.57 km •
7-9 hours
 Dress
warmly, because we start climbing around 4:00 am, on the
steepest and most demanding part of the mountain. The
sun will rise and warm up the morning. We'll reach the
Crater rim after a 6-7 hour hike. Mawenzi Peak is a
thrilling sight, with the Kibo saddle beneath you, and
the crater's ice-walls looming ahead. We now continue to
Uhuru Peak (1-2 hrs.) This is the highest point in
Africa, and the world's highest solitary peak (19,340
ft). It's the best view in Africa. The descent is
invigorating. It's a good idea to have a little rest
once in awhile as you continue down back to Barafu Camp
(3 -4 hours), and then down to Millennium camp (3 -4
hours). This is where we spend our last night on the
mountain.
Day 8 - MILLENNIUM CAMP to MWEKA GATE to MOSHI
Mweka: 5,500-ft/1,676-m • 6.71 miles / 10.81 km • 4
hours
Moshi: 3,000-ft/600-m • 30 min
In the morning we have a four-hour walk down to the
road, where we meet our vehicle, and drive a short way
back to our hotel. A hot shower and a cold beer await
you, before
you head off to a well-deserved rest in a real bed.
Day 9 - DEPART TANZANIA or continue exploring East
Africa.
sign me up!
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