[pct-l] Mount Kilimanjaro

[Mike Welch]

The Machame Route (Whiskey route) was 5 days up.  They bring you down in 2 days!  The 5 days included an extra day at Karanga Valley which, again, I highly recommend for acclimatizing and rest for the final push up from Barafu Camp.  I was 63 when I did it which was 2 years ago.  It sounds like your a bit older so you'll definitely want the extra day and to go up slowly, pole pole, (Swahili for going slow) and the Machame route provides that opportunity. 
I contracted directly with a company called Zara (Tanzania Adventures).  Porters will carry all the heavy stuff and for us PCT hikers that is one neck of a luxury.  Of course for us old timers, you may want to refuse the porters service and hike the way real men used to hike.  Remember the 20 pound boots we used to hike in.  I wore bricks for insoles.  And the canvas backpacks at 25 pounds each with nothing in them!  I used to stick a Coleman stove in there with a gallon of gasoline for fuel.  I'd take that Coleman stove out, pour gasoline all over it and just set the whole damn thing on fire.  Then I'd bring out the hot dogs.  These youngsters just have no appreciation for the way things used to be on the trail.  Man, now if I could just remember where I put my copy of the "Tibetan Book of the Dead".  Oh well,  hope your climb goes well, Mountain Mike 
--------------------------------------------
On Sun, 5/25/14, Reinhold Metzger <reinholdmetzger at cox.net> wrote:

 Subject: Re: [pct-l] Mount Kilimanjaro
 To: "Mike Welch" <encinomw at yahoo.com>, "PCT" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
 Date: Sunday, May 25, 2014, 10:23 AM
 
 
   
 
     
   
   
     Hey Mike,
 
       Thanks for the advice and Info.
 
       How many days did the "Whiskey Route" take?
 
       
 
       JMT Reinhold
 
       -----------------------------
 
       
 
       On 5/16/2014 3:43 PM, Mike Welch wrote:
 
     
     
       
       
         
           
             
               I
                   climbed it 2 years ago and took the"
 Whiskey Route"
                   paying for an added day to
 acclimatize.  Most people
                   who don't make it to the top don't
 because of altitude
                   sickness. The last 4,000 foot climb is
 strenuous, but
                   doable with proper acclimatization and
 strength.  Just
                   take it slow.  I think the term
 was "pole pole", but
                   I'd have to check my notes. 
 I'm in Idylwild right now
                   completing Sections A&B of the
 PCT.  Communicate
                   with me off line if you want any other
 info and when I
                   get back to Alaska I'll check my
 folder of stuff.  It
                   was a great adventure!  Mountain
 Mike  
               
                 
                   
                     
                        On Thursday, May 15,
 2014 12:56
                         AM, Reinhold Metzger
                         <reinholdmetzger at cox.net>
 wrote:
 
                       
                       
 
                       
 
                       Hi gang,
 
                         Karen (my wife) and I and some ski
 club members
                         are planing a trip to 
 
                         Africa
 
                         this summer.
 
                         While in Africa, some members are
 considering
                         adding climbing Mount
 
                         Kilimanjaro to our agenda.
 
                         At 19,340 feet that is one heck of a
 mountain.
 
                         I have been up Mt. Whitney at least
 twenty times
                         but there is a big 
 
                         difference
 
                         between 14,496 feet and 19,340
 feet.
 
                         I am not concerned about myself, but
 I am
                         concerned about Karen.
 
                         She is in good shape at age 71, but
 not nearly
                         as strong a hiker as I am.
 
                         Has anybody on this list climbed
 Kilimanjaro?
 
                         If yes, what is your opinion.
 
                         
 
                         JMT Reinhold