The Ascent of Kilimanjaro Starts...

..tomorrow, 20th January. Wish me luck! I shall be following the Machame route, taking 6 days with an option on 7. The weather is described as unseasonal, in that they are experiencing rain and snow in what is usually a dry time of year. Still, I've been to Nepal in the monsoon ("definitely finished" says Raju), so nothing can faze me! I'm looking forward to it. I will currently be travelling "alone" in so far as that is permitted, i.e. with a guide, a cook and two porters. Ah well, if you can't make friends, you can always buy them.


Photo from Britannica

The spiel from Wiki:
Kilimanjaro with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawensi, and Shira, is an inactive stratovolcano in north-eastern Tanzania. Although it does not have the highest elevation, Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain rise in the world, rising 4,600 m (15,100 ft) from its base, and includes the highest peak in Africa at 5,895 meters (19,340 ft), providing a dramatic view from the surrounding plains.

Observation from me:
5000m climb with no bars along the way. This one's going to be tough!

Full report in a week or thereabouts.