Greetings from high camp at 15,100′ on Kilimanjaro!

Since our last update we have been moving steadily higher putting ourselves in position for our summit attempt tomorrow.  Along the way we have seen amazing scenery and experienced everything from sunny days to rain.  Sitting here at high camp we have a clear day with clouds forming below us.  Our spirits are high and we’re very psyched to be ready to attempt the summit in the morning.

Our plan is to wake in the middle of the night and hike by headlamp with the intention of getting close to the crater rim at sunrise.  We will then traverse the crater rim to Kilimanjaro’s highest point they call Ururu Peak at 5895m/19,340′.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we attempt to reach the “Roof of Africa”!

Below are some pictures depicting the last few days…. Enjoy!

Kilimanjaro Team Reaches Camp 1

Greetings from Camp 1 on Kilimanjaro at 3000m/9842′.  After a good breakfast at our hotel we drove to the park gate at 1800m/5905′.

Kilimanjaro is the only place in the world where it is possible to pass through five temperate zones in as many days.  Locally they name these zones as follows:  Cultivation Zone, Jungle, Moorland, Sub-Alpine, and Alpine.  Our climb today took us through the Cultivation Zone and into the upper end of the Jungle Zone.  We had a little rain today as we walked.  This made the jungle smell fresh and sweet.  The canopy overhead gave us partial protection from the rain.

Although Kilimanjaro is not known for having an abundance of animals it is possible to see a few neat forms of wildlife.  There are also several varieties of wildflowers including the Kilimanjaro Inpatients.  The jungle surrounding Kilimanjaro is the only place in the world where this pretty red and yellow flower grows. Look for more coming soon!

Kilimanjaro here we come!!

Kilimanjaro (5895m/19,340') from near the village of Moshi, Tanzania.

On December 14 SMI founder Kurt Wedberg arrived in Tanzania with Heather Krug and Robyn Stern.  Robyn is a Creative Director who’s biggest account is Purina and Heather is the CEO at Bear Grylls Ventures.  This trip has been planned for close to a year now.  Many hours of planning, conditioning hikes, acquiring gear, and rearranging lives have gone into the preparation for this climb.

December 15 was spent acclimating to the Tanzanian countryside and getting prepared for a 7-day climb to the Roof of Africa beginning on December 16.  We will try to keep you updated on the progress of our climb as often as possible.

Here are a couple pictures from today’s adventures:

Heather and Robyn taking in the scenery on a walk through some local rice fields outside the village of Moshi.

A local Tanzanian carrying hardwood from the forest behind. He will use this for heating and cooking in his home.

Bananas growing near the rice fields. There are an estimated 80+ different types of bananas grown in East Africa. Some are used for cooking and others can be peeled and eaten.

They harvest rice twice each year in these fields. In the foreground a local farmer is tending to groups of starter plants that will soon be transplanted to the empty fields behind.

Rice farmers pause to greet us as we walked by their plot of land. The people in Tanzania are some of the friendliest people we've met anywhere in the world.

Tanzania is abundant with over 1400 varieties of beautiful flowers.

Tanzanian children from the Chagga tribe are always a joy to be around. Today they enjoyed following us on our walk.

Kurt cutting open a fresh mango. Sampling the local fruit is one of the fun fringe benefits when visiting Tanzania.

Kurt climbing a vine in the forest.

A Black & White Colobus Monkey yawning high up in a tree in the forest.

Kilimanjaro looming high above our hotel. We're excited to start up it tomorrow!