October 2021 myself and 17 others travelled from different parts of the world to attempt to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro via The Rongai Route.
The Rongai Route is known for its scenic beauty and relative solitude compared to other paths up Kilimanjaro, making it a popular choice for those seeking a more tranquil ascent.
Our journey began at the remote Rongai Gate, located on the northeastern side of Kilimanjaro. As we set off, we were immediately immersed in the lush rainforest, a stark contrast to the arid landscapes found at higher elevations. The Rongai Route is characterized by its gradual ascent, allowing us to acclimatize gradually to the increasing altitude.
As the trail winds its way through the rainforest, the air is filled with the sounds of exotic birds and the rustling of trees. Along the route, we passed little to no other groups of hikers and we were on the look out for any local wildlife, including blue monkeys and colorful butterflies. This route is not just a physical challenge but also a sensory experience, with the sights and sounds of nature providing a captivating backdrop to our trip of a lifetime.
The trail eventually emerges from the dense rainforest, revealing the stunning moorland zone. Here, we were treated to expansive views of the surrounding landscapes, with Kilimanjaro's majestic peaks becoming more prominent on the horizon. The Rongai Route is known for its diverse ecosystems, and the transition from rainforest to moorland showcases the mountain's ecological richness and noticable clean and tidy trails.
One of the highlights of the Rongai Route is reaching Mawenzi, one of the three craters of the ancient landscape Mawenzi, Kibo in the centre and Shira which is no longer obvious aside from a small bump on the horizon. We had a windy night at Mawenzi but on the second to last morning we set off for the long hike towards the beautiful beast of a mountain. For hours we walked slowly towards picturesque almost famous view of Kilimanjaro across "The Saddle". This is one of my favourite memories from the trek.
The final camp before the ascent to Gilman's Peak and then to Uhuru is at Kibo Hut. Tired from the traversing the saddle we rested early and prepared for the challenging summit night. Awake and geared up at midnight, the slow and steady ascent to Gilman's Peak begins under the cover of darkness, with headlamps illuminating the path like an army slowly marching into the darkness to confront whatever awaits ahead. Slowly navigating through rocky terrain and scree slopes as we made our way to the rim of the Kibo crater, Gilman's Peak.
As dawn breaks, the landscape transforms into a surreal, icy wonderland. The glacial formations and the distant lights of the surrounding towns create a magical atmosphere. The final push to Gilman's Peak involves negotiating steep switchbacks and rocky outcrops, testing both physical endurance and mental fortitude.
Reaching Gilman's Peak is a triumph, and the reward is a breathtaking sunrise over the East African plains. From this vantage point, we could just about witness the curvature of the Earth. But the adventure doesn't finish there for true summiteers, another couple of hours ahead with the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro standing as a testament to the indomitable spirit of those os uf who dared to conquer its heights at Uhuru Peak. Descending from Gilman's Peak, was arduous but exhilarating. Arriving at Kibo again as then as we continued down the mountain to Horombo, we each had a deep sense of accomplishment and some amazing memories of an awe-inspiring journey through the diverse landscapes of Kilimanjaro's Rongai Route.
We did this to raise money for The Enjoro Primary School in Tanzania and helped complete the building of two new classrooms for the students.
4 фев 2022
