Trekking or Monte Kilimanjaro

This time our destination would be Africa, more specifically we were looking forward to the Trekking to Mount Kilimanjaro 5895m altitude, which is in Tanzania, country east of the continent, which has the Indian Ocean as one of its gateways.

Our trip started in 5 of August, the group left Guarulhos with many stopovers planned. We passed through South Africa, Dar Es Salam and finally Kilimanjaro Airport.

From Chile, we stayed in Moshi, town near the start of the trail. It would initially be a trekking 7 dias, but we managed to conclude 6, demanding a lot from the group on the day of attacking the summit and on the last day of descent.

We actually set off for the climb on the day 8, initially the climb required little from the team, We chose the Machame route because it offers the best views along the way.. The climate and vegetation are very reminiscent of the tropical forests of Brazil, very green, clima bastante úmido, mas isso viria a mudar radicalmente a medida que ganhamos altitude. A chegada ao primeiro acampamento foi bastante tranquila, mas assustou pela quantidade de pessoas que estavam fazendo o mesmo trajeto e que ficaram no mesmo acampamento que o nosso o Machame, já a 2835m.

Os guias que estavam conosco se encarregaram de levar todo o equipamento de camping, alimentação e água, além de uma bolsa com materiais de cada montanhista, restava para nós apenas o peso da roupa e uma mochila de ataque. A média é de três guias e ajudantes para cada montanhista, that is, nosso grupo estava sendo acompanhado por 45 pessoas, cozinheiros, guias, carregadores, zeladores dos sanitários químicos, entre outras diversas funções.

Dia 09 como de costume acordamos cedo, our challenge would be to reach Shira Camp 3750m, was pulled, right outside the camp, we faced a very steep climb, what put the class to the test, some have already felt the effects of fatigue, strong sun throughout the journey and the altitude. No acclimatization required, we leave day 10 to Baranco Camp 3900m, although the final difference in level that day was small, during the route we reached 4600m at the Lava Tower camp, where we stopped just for lunch, but the effects of altitude were already being felt by most of the team, the motivation was great and we went ahead as it should be.

Dia 11, still with undigested coffee, we started the biggest climb on an immense stone wall, demanded too much from the team, and once again we were able to count on the support of the class members and local guides, it was quite tiring, but we got over that, that same night we would camp at the last destination on the mountain, Camp Barafu at 4900m.

Our initial schedule would be to begin the attack on the summit at midnight that same day., but due to collective fatigue, We actually left in the early hours of the morning 12, around five thirty in the morning, everyone very tired. Although the food was really good due to the difficulties of the place and the isolation, due to fatigue and nausea, many of us had difficulty eating, and this was greatly felt by some of the group, the consequences would be felt later.

Everyone went for the final attack, almost everyone managed to overcome the absurd unevenness of 1000 vertical meters in a hostile environment, with all extreme parameters like cold, vento, air humidity below 20%, sol, too much dust, no vegetation or shade. The floor derived from the eruptions of the ancient extinct volcano, resembles dune sand, when you take three steps and go down one. But with a lot of insistence and fundamental help from our guides, We managed to reach the top of the mountain for the most part. 5895 metros, the highest point on the continent.

We conquered one of the seven summits on the planet, also formed by Everest Asia 8848, Aconcagua South America 6961, Denali North America 6194, our Kilimanjaro Africa 5895, Monte Elbrus Europa 5642 and Mount Vinson Antarctica 4892m.

After reaching the summit, All we had to do was return to our camp, lack of water, forces, disposition, mental awareness among other diverse problems. Sitting down to rest led us to sleep due to the lack of oxygen. But again our guides who seemed to be on a Sunday tour, carried us back.

We spent another night on that ice, to leave in the morning 13 for another camping stop in the middle of the mountain, but how to get down all the African saints help, we managed to walk more than 25 km, on a vertical descent gradient of 3300m, It was difficult but we did it!!