2 Months until the Snows of Kilimanjaro (OT)

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Camster (Rhymes with Hamster)

Social climber

Jul 21, 2013 - 11:51pm PT

Rongai?

Lots of elephant poop, which is pretty cool.

Have fun.

Camster

Vegasclimber

Trad climber

Las Vegas, NV.

Topic Author's Reply - Aug 16, 2013 - 03:14pm PT

Hey all, thought I would post an update!

We are close to a month out, and all we have left is to get our visas. I got my shots three days ago and my arms are still aching :-| stupid needles.

We haven't been able to get much hiking in, but what we have been doing has all been 8k and up, and are doing fine. My fiancee has been working out in the gym regularly the last 6 months and is now out hiking me haha.
Had to hike up Trail Canyon on Charleston a couple weekends in a row to do PSAR and keep people out of the wildfire area, and then spent two more weekends up there teaching Wilderness First Aid classes.

Next weekend we will be heading up to Charleston Peak as a day trip, as they finally re-opened the North Loop trail. Should be a good hike.

Only gear I have left to get is a Patagucci merino shirt and R1 pants. I was hoping they would be on summer sale, but the shirts got sold out right away. Such is life I guess. Ammon has graciously offered me a 50% off coupon but I will need to go to Reno to shop at the nearest store - not sure if I can swing that yet.

Had some trouble with the boot selection. I ordered a pair of La Sportiva Trango S Evo's, and they just weren't a good fit for me. Then I bought a pair of Asolo Fugitive GTXs and just couldn't get them to break in - had blisters on my heels which never happens as I have been wearing boots for years. I would love to just wear my side-zip combat boots, but no way am I going to trust those zippers on a hike like this - and they aren't waterproof.

Ended up taking the Asolos back and got the Salomon Quest 4D GTX, and finally found a good boot. Super comfortable and great support - almost too good. The only issue that I have is that my left ankle is mostly scar tissue, and the boot forces it into a normal orientation which makes it ache a bit. I can deal with that though.

Only down side is that the other couple that is coming with us elected to go to Tanzania to scuba dive rather then go on the safari, which cost us some money. But the trekking company is trying to get another couple to go with us so that we can get the price back down.

Speaking of the trekking company, so far I have been really happy with Zara. They have been awesome about communication and helping us get everything together. We aren't usually the type of people that hire guides or go on guided tours, but I have to say it's kind of nice to have everything set for us and not have to lug a full pack every day.

I know a few people that have posted on the thread have been up there - would love to see some trip pictures if you would like to share. Onward!

Vegasclimber

Trad climber

Las Vegas, NV.

Topic Author's Reply - Aug 23, 2013 - 12:40am PT

Final monies paid, visa applications in the mail. Just figured out the tips, at standard rates it's going to be about $400 pp. Ouch! Guide, two assistants, and 4 porters per person, cook, waiter. I feel like a putz with all this support staff crap. Too usd to doing things on my own I guess.

Went to California for my birthday weekend and the weather change made my arthritis flare so bad that I am just now starting to walk normally again. NOT a good sign but I will push through it, pain is temporary and anytime I think about it, I think of guys like Sean and my buddy Cosmic who deal with so much more and tell myself to harden the f*#k up.

Have to admit though, starting to get a little nervous. Never in my life thought I'd be doing something like this!

Vegasclimber

Trad climber

Las Vegas, NV.

Topic Author's Reply - Sep 5, 2013 - 11:06pm PT

2 weeks to go!

Final gear is prepared, and putting together checklists to make sure we won't forget anything. Medical stuff is all done, and the visas are in the passport.

Already have my first purchase planned, which is to get a panga. They won't let me bring a knife through Customs, but if I buy and carry there it's just dandy. Go figure.

The airplane ride back is 18 frigging hours on one leg, with a stop in Rome. If I had known that earlier, I would have elected to stay over a day or two to at least see part of it...such is life.

Berg Heil!

Spider Savage

Mountain climber

The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles

Sep 5, 2013 - 11:10pm PT

Rome is okay.

Anzio is right near the Da Vinci airport and is a cool beach scene.

Some minor bouldering on the sea cliffs north of the harbor, under the ruins of Tiberius' beach house.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Sep 6, 2013 - 01:26am PT

Already have my first purchase planned, which is to get a panga. They won't let me bring a knife through Customs, but if I buy and carry there it's just dandy.

What, they're gonna let you carry a boat through customs? What good is
that gonna do you on Kilimanjaro? Whatever, have a great trip! Oh, and
don't eat no yellow snow, cause that's where the porters go.

ag.Fox

Trad climber

Reno, NV

Sep 6, 2013 - 11:48am PT

Have a blast Travis! Glad you got the good boot fit.
Call me when you get back, I'm itchin for Zion already :-)

Vegasclimber

Trad climber

Las Vegas, NV.

Topic Author's Reply - Sep 6, 2013 - 10:56pm PT

Me too Jon! Looking forward to it, very much.

A panga is a boat type, forgot about that. In this case, it's the standard African bush knife/machete. Apparently I might get hassled if I have a knife in my checked baggage during Customs, but I can carry one in country. Go figure.

Vegasclimber

Trad climber

Las Vegas, NV.

Topic Author's Reply - Sep 15, 2013 - 01:14am PT

Thanks, Sully. I also re read the tale, and do not plan to go out that way either!

We are starting to pack, and are departing Friday afternoon. Even though it isn't really "climbing" content, I am going to try my hand at writing a TR for the first time when we return.

Did our last shopping trip today, so we are dialed in with the gear and essentials. I wasnt too satisfied when I asked about our guides' medical training when I asked - "oh, they carry pulse oximeters" - so I have beefed up my medical kit a bit more to make sure we have anything we might need. I will deal with the couple extra pounds for the peace of mind. Couldn't get any dex but I don't see needing it, but have a short scrip for Prednisone in case things go really bad.

I am taking a note for Matthew with me to be placed at the summit, and a pinch of my "Paul's Ball" so he can go along as well.

This will probably be my last post until we get back, so until then I wish everyone safe travels and adventures. Berg heil!

perswig

climber

Sep 15, 2013 - 06:35am PT

I am taking a note for Matthew with me to be placed at the summit, and a pinch of my "Paul's Ball" so he can go along as well.

Don't know you from Adam's off ox, Vegas, but you're a good man.
Dale

Vegasclimber

Trad climber

Las Vegas, NV.

Topic Author's Reply - Oct 10, 2013 - 03:05am PT

The actual TR is probably going to take a while, so I wanted to post this up. This is myself and our head guide, Rogati. Doubt I would have made it the last 1000 feet or so without his encouragement.

One of the hardest mental and physical challenges of my life. I was kinda surprised that physically I recovered in about 3 days, and would actually be willing to climb it again.

The only down side is that my fiancee had to turn back at about 18,000. She was starting to show some really bad signs of altitude sickness, basically she was falling asleep on her feet and was getting disoriented. I was fine for the most part, other then a serious lack of breath.

More will come once we get all the pics edited, and I manage to find the words that will do the mountain justice.

Brandon-

climber

The Granite State.

Oct 10, 2013 - 08:40am PT

Looking forward to the TR!

Vegasclimber

Trad climber

Las Vegas, NV.

Topic Author's Reply - Oct 10, 2013 - 11:47am PT

Kiss my ass, Burch :P

Walk up or not, 19k+ is no joke. Not to mention the expense lol. Go climb it and tell me what a walk up it is :p

Besides, I don't like that snow/ice/technical stuff you consider fun, I'm not that sadistic :D

Vegasclimber

Trad climber

Las Vegas, NV.

Topic Author's Reply - Oct 10, 2013 - 01:29pm PT

Those are some awesome shots for sure. We may end up doing Kili again so that my fiancee can take another shot at the summit, but it will be way cheaper as I may be doing some work over there for the guide company that we used.

I'd like to do Blanc and the Eiger, but it will have to wait until we (hopefully) move to Europe in a few years.