No turning back... Kilimanjaro is a go

My wonderful friend Mica and I are planning to take on the 19,340 foot Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa on June 16-23, 2014. I'm betting Mica's friends and family are thinking, "What would possess her to do something so crazy?" My friends and family are not at all surprised because they know that I love crazy!

We've selected an 8-day climb via the Lemosho Route. Here's the basic itinerary that Climb Kili has for us:

Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa; 7,742’ ∙ 3 mi ∙ 3-4 hrs

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira Camp; 11,500’ ∙ 4.5 mi ∙ 6-8 hrs

Day 3: Shira Camp to Moir Camp; 13,650’ ∙ 6.3 mi ∙ 6-8 hrs

Day 4: Moir Camp to Barranco Camp; 12,950’ ∙ 6.2 mi ∙ 5-7 hrs

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp; 13,200’ ∙ 2.2 mi ∙ 3-5 hrs

Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp; 15,200’ ∙ 3.4 mi ∙ 3-5 hrs

Day 7: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp; 19,340’ ∙ 13 mi ∙ 12-14 hrs; A midnight start to conquer the highest point in Africa by sunrise.

Day 8: Mweka Camp to Exit; 5,400’ ∙ 3.7 mi ∙ 3-4 hrs

Click on the link if you are interested in the full video description: Climb Kili, 8-day Lemosho Route

One of the benefits that comes with choosing Climb Kili on this adventure is that they send emails home of our daily progress on the mountain. So, for daily updates during the climb, check out Mica's blog: Long Sleeves in a Short Person World. Her husband, Thomas, will be posting these hopefully-all-positive progress reports. Thank you Thomas!

Wish us luck!!!

Horsetail Falls

May 17, 2014: Horsetail Falls, Twin Bridges

Horsetail Falls is clearly visible while driving west on Hwy 50 between Lake Tahoe and Sacramento. It's easy to observe it from the road, but it's well worth the short hike to get a closer view.

 

I went with my friends, the Webbs. The girls were such troopers. There were some smaller cascades and waterfalls along the way which obviously required posing for photos.

We hiked roughly halfway up the falls. A relatively easy 3-4 mile round trip excursion.

Click here to see more photos of Horsetail Falls.

Cottonwood Lakes Basin

May 10, 2014: Cottonwood Lakes Basin, Lone Pine

Turn at the only stop light in Lone Pine, CA and head toward Whitney Portal. Most people will continue straight toward the Mt. Whitney trailhead, but by turning south on Horseshoe Meadows, then climbing a few thousand feet above the valley floor over a span of 20 or so miles, past some beautiful flowering desert lupine, the trail to Cottonwood Lakes awaits.

The trail is at an elevation 9,000 to 11,000 feet, but besides that is only moderately difficult. It starts by passing through the forest along a creek. Then, the trail slowly climbs and the forest fades into an alpine region with few trees and low growing tundra. The mountains come into view.

Meander a little farther and you reach the Cottonwood Lakes Basin. There are five Cottonwood Lakes to see (and others as well if you want to venture off the main trail).

A very much enjoyed six hour adventure in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains!

Click here to see more photos of Cottonwood Lakes.

Arizona Road Trip

In preparation for Kilimanjaro, I thought I better get my butt into gear and do some major hiking.

April 29-May 1, 2014: Havasupai Indian Reservation, Grand Canyon.

Day 1 started at the Hualapai Hilltop.

8 miles down into the the canyon you come upon Supai, a small Native American village that can only be reached by foot, horseback or helicopter, and their very scenic outdoor basketball court.

Then another 2 miles to the campground passing Old Navajo Falls

 

and ending at Havasu Falls where I enjoyed an afternoon of much deserved rest and relaxation swimming in the falls.

Day 2 was spent exploring down river. At the far end of the campground is a treacherous descent to Mooney Falls (not recommended for anyone with a fear of heights).

 

And a few miles further is Beaver Falls, where I rewarded myself with some more swimming in the crystal clear pool at the bottom.

Day 3 was the grueling 10 mile climb back to the Hualapai Hilltop through the heat of the desert. The pack mules passing me every so often provided desperately needed breaks on the way to the top.

 

All in all - Highly recommended!!!

May 2-3, 2014: Kachina Peaks Wilderness, Flagstaff.

Two excellent days of camping and hiking just north of Flagstaff. Humphreys Peak drew me to this area, but to my surprise the other trails are just as breathtaking.

The road to the Inner Basin trailhead was still closed for the winter, so instead of an easy 5 mile jaunt, it turned into a 10-11 mile round-trip hike.

An excellent shot of Sunset Crater National Monument on the way down.

The climb along Humphreys Trail to the highest point in Arizona (at 12,633 ft) is roughly 9.6 miles round-trip and 3,500 ft of elevation gain. Really not too bad as long as you aren't in a hurry. However, when you add slushy, slippery snow for almost 3/4 of the trek, it becomes a little more difficult.

The last 100ft or so before you get to the peak

and then you've made it. And these views are your reward!

Would do it again in a heartbeat!

May 5, 2014: Santa Catalina Mountains, Tucson

Just driving up Sky Island Parkway to Mount Lemmon is rewarding, but get out and explore a little to see even more beauty.

The Butterfly Trail up to the summit of Mount Bigelow offers a wide range of sights.

Click here to see more photos of my Arizona Road Trip.