Day 2 - Mkubwa camp, Shira camp 1

Facts
Starting altitude (Mkubwa camp) = 2,750 m
Campsite altitude (Shira camp 1) = 3,500 m

No of hrs walking = 3 + 2.30 + 1.15 = 6 hrs & 45 min
Distance covered = 14 km

After the breakfast, we started walking at 8:15am. The trail was mainly through the forest. We saw a beautiful black bird with burning red feathers. We hiked through a stunning forest path under the trees that were covered with this fluffy, feather like things hanging from their branches. I don't know what they are called.

The trees with fluffy stuff hanging from them

Can you see the porters? This is where we came out of the forest
and saw this beautiful scene.

We were all so happy when we got out of the forest. Inside the forest you don't have much view, so it was such a treat to see the scene on the right. Wilibard showed us the path the porters were taking way up ahead of us and told us that that is where we were going as well. It was steep for sure and they looked like tiny ants. The other guys were moaning in a joking way... But to me this was part of the hike and what made it more interesting. There was nothing to complain about..  "pole pole... and we'll be there in no time..." :)


After 3 hours of hiking up the steep mountain,we stopped for lunch. They had given each of us a lunch box to carry. I was happy to eat, not just because I was hungry, but mainly to have a lighter rucksack after eating all that. A cool breeze was blowing which was very refreshing.

The guides having their lunch

This is where we stopped for lunch

After the lunch break, we started off again and then all of sudden and without any prior notice, it was there right in front of us. The beautiful, stunning, magnificent snow-capped Kilimanjaro. We all got so excited. It did look far away and I couldn't believe that in a few days time, I'll be right at the top of that majestic  mountain.

The first sight of Kili made us all so excited

Our first glimpse of Kilimanjaro

The first photo with Kili

Just minutes before the Shira 1 camp site

After 2 and a half hours we reached Shira 1 camp site at 2:30 pm. It was situated in a beautiful location with the impressive Kilimanjaro overlooking us. 

Shira 1 camp site - The yellow tent on the left is mine :)

Shira 1 camp site

Shira 1 camp site
My group - From right: Eitan (Tony!), Ryan, Scot (Ryan's father) 

After some rest, Wilibard called us for an acclimatization walk. In order for the body to get used to the altitude, we had to hike to an altitude about 200 m higher than were we were going to sleep. This way the body could adjust itself better and we would be having less problem sleeping. This wasn't the most fun part of it, since we were already tired and the body knew that by doing this walk, we were not getting any closer to the target. This is when your mind plays tricks on you and you'd feel more tired than what you are. After about 1 hour and 15 minutes, we got back to the camp and ready for the hot dinner.

This was the second night we were sleeping in a tent, but it was much colder than the first one. I was wearing my warm trousers, a thermal top,  a fleece jacket and a hat and I was still shivering! My sleeping bag was supposed to be suitable for -16 C as well!! I was wondering how would I survive the following nights, as day by day we were going higher and higher, which meant harsher and colder weather!