These boots are made for walking

Hiking boots are probably the most important thing during your climb up Mount Kilimanjaro.  In South Africa, we don't really get a wide range of snow boots.  Our weather is pretty mild in comparison with the Northern Hemisphere.

When I started preparation for this adventure, I tried on ONLY 2 pairs of boots.  I don't know why... I mean there are so many boots on sale and I just looked at 2 different ones.

Firstly I believe that the boot needs to be high.  It protects your ankles (the last thing you need is a sprain or strain on the highest free-standing mountain in the world) and it keeps you warm.  Secondly, the shoe needs to be waterproof.  Not water resistant, WATERPROOF.  The other thing you don't want is a boot soaked in water.  They don't dry out - even in normal weather let alone freezing temperatures. Thirdly they should have soles that are tough and can grip successfully.  You will spend 6 to 8 days on your feet so the soles need to be strong enough for you not to feel each and every small rock after 2 hours.  Gripping is important especially on the way down. Finally, I believe that boots need to be light weight.  Each kilogramme you have to lift feels like ten at low altitude.

Cape Union Mart had a few options to choose from however at the moment (Dec 2014/Jan 2015) they only have 1 men's boot that may be able to do the job.  And not even the staff is convinced.  Let's hold thumbs that their new stock will arrive soon!

I went for this one.  The Salomon COSMIC 4D 2 GTX®

This is the men's version and I took a size larger than I usually wear.  You don't need to wear these in like in the old days.  If you buy them the day before you start your climb you will be able to climb without issues.  This make of shoe is small.  So if you have a wide foot or high bridge it is not for you.  That's why you need to try on a few.

They did a really good job.  This is them after the climb. I replaced the laces with elastic laces.  Too many people spoke of fingers not being able to lace boots because of cold so I went for an elastic. My feet were so ice cold during the summit.  So I don't think this boot will do in colder temperatures.

I think if it rained then I would have had wet shoes.  They say that they are waterproof but I am not convinced.  I didn't test water on them though...  I did not have any blisters and only my toes were a bit sore on the last day.  My socks were too tight.

In future, I may think about Keen boots.  They are wider and warmer.

I am sure there are many boot options to go for. Just try them all on and think about them being warm and waterproof.  It is a pity you can't take them back if you test them in water :)

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Day 4 and 5 (Summit) 2 and 3 July 2014

Our guide woke us at 23:00.  We rushed to get our remaining gear on and gathered in the tent for tea and biscuits.

We started the climb about an hour or so later.  We could see the headlamps of the groups that had already started.  It looked like stars! Winding up and up. Our group took it slow.  It was difficult to move with all the clothes and of course no oxygen.  We slowly made our way in the dark.  The temperature was not too bad - we even took off one layer.  We kept seeing the groups in front of us getting closer - so we must be doing well!

All the time guides were encouraging.  They adjusted gloves, hats, headlamps and took day packs from us.

The water really freezes on the way - I couldn't believe it - it didn't feel THAT cold?? My Rehadrat had turned to slush and my water pipe's nozzle froze - I had to chew it a bit for the water to get out.

Ye, h sunrise at last!  But oh no we weren't even close to Stella Point! We pushed on.  It felt a bit easier when we could see where we were going but also more difficult because we could see how slow we were going.

At last at around 08:00 we reached Stella Point.  Our group had split up in the meantime.  A few had fallen back and would only reach Stella.

After some time, waiting for a few of the team we pushed on.  It is not a good idea to wait too long - rather take a minute or 5 and carry on with the journey.

It took us over an hour to walk the last bit to Uhuru Peak.  I felt so alone at a stage - nobody in front of me and nobody behind me.  I just kept on going.  You could see the sign and it seemed so close. I waited for a while so that I would not summit alone. Everybody was exhausted.  Finally we made it!  2 guys were waiting for us with 2 guides.  WE MADE IT!!

Wow what a feeling - it was still so unreal.  We tried to take a few group pics and the first group members started feeling ill.  The guides started walking down.  The best way to feel better is to go DOWN.

I also felt like I needed to start walking.  It is still difficult but I felt less breathless.  As we went down the ground became more loose and sandy.  I ski'd down!

When you get to a stage the road ahead looks flat - ITS NOT! You go down down down.  I think we arrive at 14:00 or so - after being on my feet for so long, I felt so relieved to get to the tent!  I had time to wash my face and hair and get on some lighter clothes.  The others came down in drips and drabs but mostly about 10 to 15 minutes after one another.  We had to pack our stuff and WALK SOME MORE!

Because our group took a bit longer we only needed to get to Millennium Camp.  None the less, we still needed to get going to reach it before dark.

We had lunch, and started walking.  Our porters came running past us to set up in time.  It took about another 2 hours to get to the next camp.

We arrived and had dinner.  The air was cold and still thin but the group felt much better. After dinner we fell into bed and slept until 07:00.  It was difficult for me to find enough breath to sleep well but the group all had a great night's rest.  The next morning we needed to go very far.  Our guide gathered us together and said that it would be hard but that we needed to push on.

Read more

Route Overview:
Distance:  15 km (5km plus 10km)
Duration:  4-6 hours
Descent:  2075 m

www.africanreignsafaris.com

Day 4 - Machame - 2 July 2014

Our group was like a well-oiled machine by day 4.  Packed, breakfast served and ready to climb by 07:00.  We started off with gloves and hiking poles and only after a short walk the guides told us that poles would not be needed.... what was waiting for us????

I didn't do too much reading before we arrived so I had no idea what was up ahead.  I just followed the guide. We started climbing over boulders and ledges.  It was so much fun!  We slid past large rocks on ledges - the ledges were moderate - not too high and not really narrow. It was like playing around on a big playset.  I think everybody enjoyed it. A degree of fitness is definitely needed to enjoy this part of the journey - but if you are not too fit, you will still make it.

After the climb, we reached a plateau with great views and had a snack and water.  Onward!! from this point on it was down down down.  A difficult down I must say. The ground was like powder and you don't really have spots to grip... hiking poles help a lot! But stepping carefully is essential.

After reaching the valley, we had to go up again.  Wow, and what a steep up!! Once you stop you can't get yourself to start again - so don't stop! Up up up, porters passing you up up up some more!  When we reached the top we found our lunch tent waiting! (Karanga 3930m) After a short wait, we had to head on.  Here was more dust and more rocks.  We were now on our way to base camp.  Barafu camp (4681 m).

But before we reached the camp there were more uphills.  It felt like walking on broken slate tiles.  Everywhere you look there were rock towers that people built.  There's not much cover so every large boulder would be a bush toilet - but at least we beat the traffic so that was ok :)

Our sunbeam during the whole trip welcomed us on arrival - only to see that it was not the camp :( Another up up up!!

We pressed on and finally arrived at Basecamp - Barafu Camp.  You could see the summit!  And now we had to calm down and go to sleep!  How was this possible :)

The group had a quick dinner of soup, pasta and vegetables.  We tried to sort out our things for the summit.  It was difficult - racing breath and adrenaline rushing.  We put our heads down and slept for 4 hours....

Read more about the summit

Route Overview:
Distance:  4 km
Duration:  4-5 hours
Gain:  678 m

Summit
Distance:  5 km
Duration:  7-8 hours
Gain:  1222 m

www.africanreignsafaris.com