Mt Kilimanjaro Expedition 1978

Base camp in grounds
of Marangu Hotel

The mountain

 

The gate-house at Marangu
(1700m)

A tropical rain forest stroll

The first hut (Mandara) at 2600m

The last trees at around 3000m

A moorland rest stop

Mawenzi Peak (summit 5120m)

Second hut (Horombo) at 3700m

Giant groundsel everywhere

Last water + oxygen at half-ration

Across the saddle, at 4500m, between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks

A moonscape portrait

The third and final hut (Kibo) at 4680m

Glacial scree rising 960m for 3.3Km

Final near-vertical climb up to crater rim

The summit, Uhuru Peak, is 210m higher and 1.5Km around the rim to the left.

John Reader wrote in his book Kilimanjaro in 1980: "I had taken five and a half hours to reach the crater rim and the climb left me devoid of all sensation except a compelling tiredness. There was no sense of achievement, no exhilaration, no energy, no enthusiasm to do anything, no desire for anything except a lot more oxygen. I stretched out in a warm sheltered spot, put my hat over my face and fell asleep". Although I could not put it better I did manage to continue a little further to take this photograph of my companions below.

Looking down on the way back

Back to the second hut for the night

The end

Back at base camp