To make matters worse the water filter was at high camp and still 2 plus hours away oh well 4 dollar Kilimanjaro canned beer was the only option and wow did they hit me hard after sitting around with Robin, Garrett, Ethan, Meg, Monica & Lacey looking at my photos on the IPad and a little pop corn in the mess tent grabbed 3 liters of water and crashed.
Up around 0600 the last time to pack and per Lemma a 4 hour hike out, I had already planned to cut that in half.
After a breakfast of 3 hot dawgs & toast I was ready to bolt but I wanted wait until the crew sang and the tips were presented, Randy took off prior to breakfast.
Singing
I left after the last song and the very well groomed decent trail was like a oil slicked road add the rain/humidity it was nasty oh well.
I was in High gear my iPod jamming to my good friend Eric Jerardi and then a local Denver band of days gone by Leboom and who knows what else. My only goal was to beat the porters down I was about 45 minutes into it and still no signs of Randy but out of no where Clem darts past me like I was standing still, I stopped and grabbed my water bottle and kept it out and continued downward. I guess 20 minutes or so later I see Randy and Clem watching what I call a skunk monkey I did not see it and I kept going not looking back. Clem the kewlest Frenchman I have met once again out of no where passes me and I never caught back up. I reached the gate just before 1030 and that was just under 2 hours I was treated by Erika Bloom one of the co-owners of Serengeti Pride Safari and Clem! I also met Lemma's family, Clem and ingested off for a cold Kilimanjaro beer and we parked ourselves where lunch was to be served in a few hours, we were mobbed by the peddlers trying to sell you Kilimanjaro souvenirs or African trinkets. I got my boots & gaiters washed for 2 bucks, Michael the guide sent them back once for still being dirty and I did the same 2 more times. Randy was next to arrive and we all sat around and chatted then we headed over to sign out of the park before the crowds arrived, I stamped my passport and bought a CD of all the songs that were sung over thaw 7 days. Back to lunch and the number of peddlers increased 10 x and they were quite annoying, whitey the lead cook drove them away but that only lasted a short time, I did not help by asking how much ;-). After a hour of lunch more beer we headed over to a bus with our gear, I gave quite a bit of stuff to my porter as well tipping directly besides the split he will receive from the main tip pool, these guYs work way too hard and need better gear - boots that fit, proper head lamps, cold weather and rain gear would be a great start.
As many famous/wealthy individuals that have climbed Kilimanjaro or have it on their bucket list one would think a non-profit foundation would already be in place to provide proper gear for the porters of Kilimanjaro, I am sure this consume some of my time in the future.
On the bus very crowded and we all need showers, I was lucky I got a window seat that opened, only to be swarmed one final time by the peddlers while the driver secured our bags on top of the bus. We finally arrived at the MT Meru Game Lodge, I received to room 12 same as before I stored my bags and went back to the open air lobby area and ordered a beer and 1.5 liter bottle of water while the others darted for a shower and fresh clothes. Just sitting and relaxing and reading a little email was amazing. I went to the room for - much needed shower, the hot water was amazing until it just vanished which normally would of sent me jumping out of the shower, not this time any Water regardless of the temp.
Back to the bar area chatting exchanging contact information, looking at photos and then dinner outside by the fire, I was beat and off to bed by 2130
Location:Arusha - Himo Rd,,Tanzania
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