KILIMANJARO EXPEDITION 2010
Brief Introduction
At 19,340 feet, snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is Africa's highest peak. It is the world's tallest walkable mountain, and what a walk it is. We go through 5 different climatic zones to reach the summit. Follow Kilimanjaro, “The Roof of Africa,” has long held a romantic lure in the minds of travelers and adventurers. Ernest Hemingway may have described it best when he famously wrote in his short story, The Snows of Kilimanjaro - “…and there, ahead, all he could see, as wide as all the world, great, high, and unbelievably white in the sun, was the square top of Kilimanjaro and then he knew that there was where he was going.” Standing at 19,340 ft (5,892 meters), and looming infamously over the African plains, Kilimanjaro is the continent’s highest mountain.
Climbing Kilimanjaro offers an experience like no other. The trek begins on the African plains and continues through several climate zones, including cloud forest, heath and heather, moorland, and finally alpine desert. Some people liken the journey to walking from the Equator to the North Pole in a single week. Personally, you will be challenged by Kilimanjaro’s altitude, temperature and weather extremes, and your own uncertainty, but in the end you will have a surreal experience and a story of personal growth. Climbing the mountain will also give you the opportunity to unplug from the stresses and distractions of day-to-day life and become a little closer to nature, yourself, and your fellow man.
The climb itself is not technical and the summit is accessible to anyone who is reasonably fit and has the ability to push themselves in the face of some adversity. Kilimanjaro Expeditions strongly recommend spending no less than 6-7 days on the mountain to allow for both proper acclimatization and to fully experience the serenity of the mountain’s landscapes.
Team Members
Gaurav Sharma, Rajasthan
Harnam Singh, Rajasthan- MM Babu, Andhra Pradesh
- Nichi, Africa
Climbing Schedule (Tentative)
- 5th August, Flag off from Churu & Report at Jaipur.
- 6th August, Stay at Jaipur and Shopping, Press & Media Works for expedition.
- 7th August, Trip to Delhi.
- 8th August, Flag Off by Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Afternoon Flight to Mumbai.
- 9th August, International Flight from Mumbai to Africa.
- 10th August, Trek from Machame Gate (1490m) - Machame camp (2980m).
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 18kms - 11th August, Rest & Acclimatization.
- 12th August, Machame camp (2980m) - Shira camp (3840m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 9 kms. - 13th August, Shira (at 3840m) to Lava Tower (at 4630m) to Barranco camp (at 3950m).
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 kms - 14th August, Barranco camp (3950m)- Barafu camp (4550m)
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 13 kms. - 15th August, (Summit attempt) Barafu camp (4550m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Mweka (3100m)
Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 7 – 8 hours to descend to Mweka
Distance: Approximately 7 kms ascent - 23 kms descent. - 16th August, Mweka camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 3 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 kms. - 17th August, Flight to India.
Latest updates on the expedition
- 5th August, Departure from Home Town Churu with blessings of Family members and District Administration. Flag Off by Distt. Collector Dr. K.K. Pathak.
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6th August, Flag Off by C.M. of Rajasthan Sh. Ashok Gehlot from CM House, Jaipur.
- 6th August, Flag Off by National Adventure Foundation, New Delhi.
- 8th August, Take Off for Tanzania (Africa).
- 10th August, Start Climbing from Rongai Route.
- 15th August, Summit the Mountain at Morning 9:00 am. Hosted the Indian National Flag "Tiranga" on the of african mountain Mt. Kilimanjaro on very special day Our Independence Day and make India Proud.
