Trip Update so far

This is a pre-prepared update, as proper communication from the mountain is difficult. More detailed reports will follow upon return.

Feb 10, 11^th: Kilimanjaro  stay at Ndarakwai Lodge (4200 ft) , situated in the foothills of Kilimanjaro, an eco-friendly permanent tented lodge.  Great views and wildlife on the property.  The lodge is set under the spreading branches of the Acacia tortillis, near an extinct volcanic cone with superb views.

Feb 12^th:  Enter through the Londorossi Gate and through the dense rain forest which is home to the colobus monkey, blue monkey and a vibrant array of exoctic birds.  Lunch at the Morum Barrier gate trailhead. Then descend to the camp (11499 ft).  Views of Kibo, one of the volcanic cones of Mt. Kilimanjaro across the Shira Plateau are breath taking.

Feb 13^th:  Full day exploration of the Shira plateau.  Trek Eastward towards Kibo’s glaciated peak.  Arrive at Shira 2 camp (Fischer’s camp) (12795 ft).  Shira is one of the highest plateaus in the world at  an average of 12,500 ft.

Feb 14^th:   Proceed steadily upward through the heather an on to the barren high altitude desert towards the “Shark’s Tooth” to Moir camp, an isolated and seldom used camp.  The views as usual are great.

Feb 15^th:  We set out on the Northern Circuit route leaving the moorland and into the stark highland desert on a steep ridge off the main trail.  Pofu camp (13200 ft)

Feb 16^th:  Trek through the desert to Kikelewa Caves camp.  We have all that mountain wilderness to ourselves!!  (11810 ft)

Feb 17^th:  Trek towards to a placid mountain lake at the foot of the steeply rising ridges of Mawenzi, Kilimanjaro’s second highest volcano.  The camp here is nestled along the banks of the lake in a protected alcove.  Mawenzi Tarn camp(14210 ft)

Feb 18^th:  Trek across the impressive saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo.  The landscape is spectacularly stark.  The temperature turns cold as we reach the foot of Kibo. At Outward Bound camp today. Early night tonight as tomorrow is the big push.

Monday

"Hey Jas, heard you were going on vacation.  Where're you going?"  This is how the conversations have been beginning over the last few weeks.  "I am climbing Kilimanjaro," I reply.  "Wow.  Cool… (long pause) … Is that in Japan?"
For the geographically challenged here is a short run down of Kilimanjaro:  It is the tallest mountain in Africa.  It is also the tallest free standing mountain in the world.  It rises to 19,340 ft. It is situated in Tanzania.  It is a dormant volcano.  Its last major eruption was 360,000 years ago although some activity recorded about 200 years back.
The bags are all packed again!  I may unpack and pack it again before I leave just making sure that the duffel bag falls within weight limits.  I may have to leave the beef jerky behind.  I have taken enough medicines to start a small bush clinic.  Antibiotics, steroids, diamox and even a few doses of Sildenafil, known to the masses as Viagra.  Now don't anyone get any ideas, Viagra decreases the pulmonary artery pressure, which increases with high altitude pulmonary edema.  Now if only I will remember to pack the ibuprofen: most invaluable for the severe headaches that accompany acute mountain sickness that is almost inevitable at altitude.  Sutures, steri-strips and a few odds and ends no self-respecting surgeon would be caught without have all been packed.  The big dilemma has been whether I should take a shaving set or not.  That question has not yet been answered.
Haven't been sleeping well for the last few nights.  Its not the altitude, at least I don't think so.  Its probably the anticipation.  Tonight's the last night of acclimatization in the tent.  It goes back on Wednesday.  I hope it was worth it.  I mustn't forget the poncho.

Just a few days more

The batteries are all charged, the bags are mostly packed and Wednesday is just a few days off.  Can't wait to be on the mountain.  I just worry about the weather.  I don't have much time in Detroit between flights and knowing Delta/Northwest I am bound to be cutting it short.  I still have to waterproof my jacket.  That's happening tonight.
I have this old GPS, one that was given to me when I left Savannah, GA, by Drs. Lord and Hammen.  Eleven years out and it still works.  I take it to Africa on every hunting trip and it's accompanying me this time too.  I plan to use it with my camera to geo-tag the pictures.  I might have a more useful idea where certain pictures were taken.  I have never done geo-tagging before, but I am going to give it a try this trip.
The Hypoxico tent is working well.  I am up to 16250 feet.  I am going to leave it there for the remaining few days.  Last night my pulse-ox was down to 84%.  By the morning it had come up to 87%.  And for the first time I really did not sleep well at "altitude".  I woke up some time around 4 am, restless and I wasn't sure why.  Not until I checked the pulse-ox.  84%, Wow.  They get seriously agitated at the hospital with a reading like that.  The restlessness persisted till the morn.  My hope is that the Hypoxico tent does what it is advertised to do.
Bought a pair of shades today: just a shade darker and a little less hair and I could pass for Stevie Wonder with those shades on!