- Home
- Expeditions
- Aug 26, 2014
-
-
Email -
Facebook -
Pinterest -
Twitter
-
“Pole pole” on Kilimanjaro
This was the last Kilimanjaro trip of the season and all six clients made to the top. The group arrived on the 9th August 2014. First night at our private camp was very special place to be. Driving in darkness from the airport, Michael said, “Ben, what are we going to see?” “Nothing!” I answered, jokingly. It is very dark but we could see some lights in the villages, and in the park before camp we saw a waterbuck and three rabbits. So perhaps I was wrong, as we did see something!
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FTanzania-289_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=cfb9ebb12d7d84a2c927a0a4bae8b4f5 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FTanzania-289_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=3cb6739b7756ba44bb80871d28475b16 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FTanzania-289_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=abac00a82569f11011577aa3f2c0084c 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FTanzania-289_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=55920adba0df1e9561b67ad2545c6f48 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FTanzania-289_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=147062e688a6fcb1169e524e17ecbfe0 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FTanzania-289_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=2a968a23d7a97a03a92b3e536b13ff78 1009w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FTanzania-289_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=b6640c5076ca7b9ad485334cb57d4667 1009w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FTanzania-289_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=9030930351b4750f73fb512d84223228 1009w)
Tanzania at night. Mountain Madness collection
The morning of the 10th, the group were introduced to each other and met properly. The sounds of animals during the night and to be able to see them in the day time was amazing. As the Trip Leader, I did the trip briefing and it seemed like everyone felt happy to be with such knowledgeable guides. The best part of the briefing was explaining the history of the Tanzania that lots of people do not know, clients are always happy to hear more about my beautiful country. The group also learned some of the Kiswahili words that we could use along the trail.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FKili-Dawn-silhoette-from-Me_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=06d29b7bc65fb41f32bb495fc7eb1b81 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FKili-Dawn-silhoette-from-Me_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=8f6f440012dc5e2031e8c2f3c5c95b73 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FKili-Dawn-silhoette-from-Me_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=a2c14ad95c7d93474b7402d4acad2d11 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FKili-Dawn-silhoette-from-Me_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=863245a49a0d0172f620f6e94e60bd88 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FKili-Dawn-silhoette-from-Me_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=04af23eab4825bc47e4793b0ac12562b 965w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FKili-Dawn-silhoette-from-Me_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=bd6328d8ac7e462b39f08c2898b2d7b1 965w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FKili-Dawn-silhoette-from-Me_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=4e6eb3c4612f8d8829a41c5ca37109cd 965w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FKili-Dawn-silhoette-from-Me_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=b120e188c1d8c7d5e1a463dbe396cb16 965w)
Mount Kilimanjaro at dawn as seen from Mount Meru. Mountain Madness collection
The group had a chance to hike to the waterfalls to the base of Mount Meru. Not only did we discuss the history of the waterfalls but they learned a lot about the tribe that lives near that mountain (Meru tribe). If that was not enough we then had sundowners, which was outstanding because we had troop of baboons at every angle very close to us and the cape buffaloes on the other side. Michael said, “what a spectacular day!”
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-1_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=72065083447cc6e8fc010d45f2d5b890 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-1_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=9c0cc9a0937e86b88c7242d4f48d2194 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-1_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=f336efc03686da7ef44227d810a5ad94 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-1_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=08b2264e7f17fbba98b40f6e42014960 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-1_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=b48f611e8a86f18cd607c60bd969299d 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-1_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=1ae02fc17e7c6c29cc8e05344143aea9 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-1_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=ac434a9769906343bda314713327074c 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-1_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=5d300afef156d290b01540fb4e85ed60 1024w)
The group at the Mount Meru waterfalls. Ben Mality photo
Climbing Kilimanjaro from day one was very nice as you learn a lot from the guides and porters. Most porters did not speak English but you could tell that they were happy working with Mountain Madness. Hiking in the Montane Forest, it is always fun to hear and see monkeys and birds. It was so nice to see animal tracks at the Shira Plateau. These were tracks of elands, cape buffaloes, jackals and mountain duiker.
The Western Breach was the best part of the climb as you see the best part of the mountain. The rock formation and the landscape below were amazing. It was the best way to get to the summit and the clients were particularly impressed after seeing the crowds on the opposite side of the mountain during the descent.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=0bf5165639609da2e388fd4901e9ddda 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=bf2584014a3fb15c20fe23aac8c732af 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=bf3b40349b28d34ee88db02d4e5856b7 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=0d734e4136ddcd2225daf9c42648d317 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=019becf4ff5156d0a4d73c387e6468e2 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=7bece186de112b8e7485de650a4521ff 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=b2ef5ef0c90e3132be5ea76a367077f2 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=a7a762b6eb7f1eeac173a36739cbe70b 1024w)
On the trail. Ben Mality photo
The ash pit, or summit crater, was an amazing place to go. The team explored the crater and had so much fun taking pictures of the impressive glacier. I took a moment to explore the second rim of the inner crater. It was exciting to see the wet sulphur and smoke rising from it. It is an excellent place to see, though, with the sulphur fumes, you have to be careful not to be there too long otherwise you will get a slight headache. I wish the rest of the clients had decided to come with me! It is the place that very few people get the chance to see. Come with Mountain Madness and you will be able to go there and see.
The Furtwangler Glacier near our camp is melting quickly. It was sad to see how it gets smaller every time I go there. I hope more people will come to see it before it disappears.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FCrater-Camp-Sunset-2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=c2f8daa2e9dd73f60092da4625979727 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FCrater-Camp-Sunset-2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=76a4d4dcea6141ad516cdebf97243bc8 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FCrater-Camp-Sunset-2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=d30000842c31feae7692ddda97c7c66f 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FCrater-Camp-Sunset-2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=176ff729061bf7d17d244e5fa395babd 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FCrater-Camp-Sunset-2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=dda9976e9a14fffa9138ea7ac27149f5 965w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FCrater-Camp-Sunset-2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=22ce3cf88ca4f5dbd1bc8519b478d592 965w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FCrater-Camp-Sunset-2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=6d8cf1bcf0e6276d0434c50028141ef8 965w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FCrater-Camp-Sunset-2_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=314d30fad42b1aef3aa1468ad9aeb3e9 965w)
Crater Camp. Mountain Madness collection
Crater Camp was cold but the hot water bottles that were given to the clients made a big difference. All slept well and summited quickly on the following day. People who started from the other routes at midnight did not look as healthy and rested as our clients. They were tired and froze the whole night while we had a short climb to the summit (1 hour). Our team had 100% success! “Pole pole” means slowly in Kiswahili, and it is the key of success on the mountain. The group had two young ones, Thomas (14yrs) and Nicola (15yrs) and all made to the top of Kilimanjaro (19,340ft). For sure it was a strong group and I am happy that all made to the top.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-3_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=8cf8286ef593344c0eeb109f2d4299f0 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-3_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=a0f424e88af84a701b751cb2ca29b428 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-3_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=12c60cc07c05fb1ab090a36a523a4cc7 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-3_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=461cf987861b20a7ebfc11413f033116 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-3_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=62fb639fde6f42e3bcb4eaba061299f0 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-3_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=2698507add458a01aab188dc2fc78a2e 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-3_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=5f02bdbf5b74e4a3eb3919a956890974 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F14AE0808K_BenMality-3_1024px.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=1c517ecfde3c80e10d560376680f66bc 1024w)
Showing off the Mountain Madness zip hoodie. Ben Mality photo
~MM Guide Benhadad Mality