Fluge Global Adventures

Awake at midnight and prepared for the ascent, the teams’ headlamps guided them, until the predawn light reflected off the African plains. Following a distinct ridge, the team approached the crater’s rim, and then traversed northwest along the rim to the main summit at 19,340’, the Uhuru Peak (Mt Kilimanjaro in western terminology). From the peak’s view, the team could see the Bismarck Towers, rock pinnacles along the rim and the hanging Rebman Glaciers.

As the sun rose over Africa, the group indulged in the panorama of incredible views. To the north, with its unique twin summits, stands the second highest mountain on the continent, Mt. Kenya (17,056’/5199m).  The southern exposure reveals the sprawling plains of Tanzania, East Africa, and the Mawenzi Peak.

After enjoying the view from top, the team descended Barafu, packed up camp, and began the traverse down the Mweka route on the southern side of the mountain.

The next morning was unlike any other.  The team awoke below the towering mountain as the sky promised them another exquisite sunrise. The group descended through the lush green landscape of the Mweka route into the thickest jungle they had yet encountered. The team found themselves trekking through primordial environments, with towering 20 foot-tall fern trees that gave it an eerie prehistoric feel.

After reaching the Mweka Gate, the FGA and AA team drove back to Arusha.  After reaching the capitol, the group commemorated their victory over Kilimanjaro with a celebratory dinner.

The team climbed to the 14,800 barrier, crossed the ridge, and viewed the plains far below. They ate lunch while admiring the ancient glacier ice of the Breach Wall before dropping to their 12,800 feet elevation campsite (for sleeping and acclimization purposes) at Great Barranco.

The next morning, FGA, AA, and porters awoke to begin their climb up over the Great Barranco. The team topped out at about 14,500’ before dropping to their camp at the Karanga River at about 13,000’. This completed another day of acclimatization as they passed below the largest ice and rock face in Africa, the famous Breach Wall. The Breach Wall climbing route, known as ‘The Icicle’, was first climbed in the early 1970’s by Reinhold Messner. Daytime temperatures can reach (80°F), while evening temperatures often drop below freezing.

As the climb continued, the team hiked for about 6 hours from the Karanga River to their high camp at Barafu (14,650’). As they made their way through beautiful and rarely traveled regions, the group entered a high desert plateau, littered with volcanic boulders. Looking to the south, were the desert plains as the pinnacles of the towering Mawenzi Peak. At Barafu, the team began the preparation for the summit attempt. While their cook staff prepared food, the climbers spent their time packing and preparing for the early morning, 2:00am departure.