Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Debs from SOUTH AFRICA writes:

Imagine flying high above the clouds over Tanzania and suddenly seeing, peering out from under her morning snowy white duvet, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, so close you can almost reach out to touch her.

Standing only 3 degrees south of the equator, she sports a solid cladding of glacial ice. Formed about 1.5million years ago, Kilimanjaro sours above the plains of the Ngorongoro like a majestic ballerina in her cotton tutu.

The most scenic route up is via Machame, which progressively winds up clearly laid paths through a forest of wild violets and red-hot pokers. Starting in comfortable temperatures, you head through paths of moss and lichens, which hang on towering trees, clothed in a blanket of mist. Above the forest line, the vegetation changes to scrubland with huge lobelia’s and giant daisy bushes, blooming like overgrown pompoms. Towards Shira ridge, the terrain becomes more rocky and soon melts into an expansive alpine desert, decorated with large deposits of volcanic rock and fine grey dust. Glacial ice pours off the summit, stretching ice like fingers down to a height of about 4800m. At this point, you have breaktaking views of Lava Tower. The crater of Kilimanjaro houses one of the most circular volcanic vents in the world, Ash Pit, and looming above the crater and Furtwangler Glacier, stands Uhuru Peak. At 5895m above sea level, it is the highest point in Africa, and the highest freestanding volcano in the world. A sunrise summit on a crystal clear day, and you will feel like you are standing on top of the world. With only 5 or 6 days of trekking behind you and a gold certificate in hand, it’s an experience that will live with you for a lifetime and an achievement to constantly reminisce over... glomed@mweb.co.za

2006-01-11