Kilimanjaro First Day on the mountain Machame Gate

 Kilimanjaro Machame Gate and Camp

A minivan piled high with bags on the roof collected me from the Bristol cottagesf ot the onre hour tansfer from the city to the Machame Gate. Poker fro the office was in the front chatting to the driver, William my guide and Eduardo the chef were in front of mr and behind were six grinning faces, my porters, but it was too dark to see the clearly

It was hayhem at the gate as there were dozens of minivans and groups of porters, all getting ready to set off up the mountain.

Bags were packed and repacked... 

                                        

...and then everything was carried to the weigh-in.

The weigh-in scales and each pack s carefully weighed as porters are only allowed to carry 20kgs plus their own rucksack

Items were added or removed to ensure the orrect volume and weight.

The guide than had to sign in with his group of porters.

The queue behind us, all one big party in identical corporate ski gear of yellow and black.

The Machame Gate at 1,800 metres.

The bags were weighed again and inside the hut is an airport type scnner to ensure tht you aren't carrying weapons into the national park.

One of the varied plants along the route.

The greeting board at Machame Camp at 2.835 metres.

The rangers hut at the camp.

My tent with the porters tent in the background. The cloud had rolled in and it was starting to rain.

My first hot meal on the mountain, crispy tilapia fish. roast potatoes and a selection of vegetables.