Arusha and Kilimanjaro

I'm sitting in the (very nice) office of Good Earth Tours, the company that is taking us up Kili and on safari in the Serenghetti and the Ngorongoro crater. Here's our Kili itinerary again --

August 22: pick up gear (including many layers of fleece, apparently it gets down to -23 centigrade at the top of the mountain and it's pretty chilly most of the way up), head to Machame gate, register, and hike 9,900 feet (which should take 5-6 hours). We've been advised to have a "strong breakfast."

August 23: hike to Shira, 12,600 ft, which should take 5-6 hours.

August 24: hike to Baranco, 12,850 ft, which should take 5-7 hours.

August 25: hike to Karanga Valley, 13,300 ft, which should take 2-3 hours (this is our added acclimatization day).

August 26: hike to 14,910 ft, which should take 2-3 hours.

August 27: Hell Day. Wake up at midnight and hike 6-7 hours up to the summit, at 19,340 ft, spend an hour there, then turn around and spend 5-7 hours descending to Mweka (10,010 ft) and camp.

August 28: hike to Mweka gate (3-4 hours), then head back to our hotel and crash.

After we get back, we'll shower and wash our clothes, then head out for a 5-day safari through the Serenghetti. More on that to come!

As for now, we're excited and apprehensive about the climb (or maybe I'm just speaking for myself). Machame (the route we're taking) is known for its gradual assent and not-too-terrible last day (compared to the other routes), and we're taking lots and lots of layers (and lots of Diamox, our altitude sickness medicine) so we'll definitely make it up. Think of us on the 27!!

Rach