Kilimanjaro Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

 I woke up in the early early morning and was so excited that the clouds had parted. The stars were absolutely amazing and I got my first glimpse of the mountain I came to summit. I was so excited for clear skies. Little did I know the rest of the way would be beautiful I just had to get through the first very wet day.

My morning selfie so I could evaluate how I look:)

Finally above the rain forest clouds!

Today we were going to hike 5.6 miles and climb from 9,900 ft to 12,600ft. What the guides didn't tell us was that we would be hiking straight up. No switchbacks. It was like climbing really tall stairs for many many hours. It was't too bad physically but mentally it was challenging because the up never ended. Right when you thought you were looking at the top you would get to that point, walk 20 yards on flat ground and then continue going straight up. You gain elevation very quickly in Africa. I was grateful that we didn't have to go down this way. Going up it really wasn't bad but it would have been very hard on my knees to go down it. Pictures do not do a good job of showing how steep something is!

Rock Cairns with Kilimanjaro in the background.

There is the mountain I am trying to get to the top of.

Taking a short break on the uphill.

The weather was amazing. My body felt great. I didn't do a lot of long hikes to prepare but I had done plenty of short steep hikes. My body was responding well to the demands placed on it. I felt great and was much more excited to be on this journey during day 2 of hiking.

We made it to the sign that says we are at camp!

It was a great day.

We enjoyed time in the tent visiting. It was so warm I spent time outside soaking in the African sun. There were crazy ravens all over camp scavenging food. I ended this day feeling so grateful for a healthy body and the opportunity to be here fulfilling a dream. And the sunset was an amazing ending to a great day!

Killimanjaro Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp

 We got up to an alarm so we could shower and have breakfast before we left for our hike. The porters, guides, and cook met us on a bus at our hotel. Here we are with all our stuff.

We hopped on and we were off on this crazy adventure. It was about an hour bus ride and I was starting to feel a little nervous. What did I get myself into? At this point there is no turning back but it was/is a little scary.

We made it to the Machame gate where we ate an early lunch, used the restroom, put on our rain gear and took some pictures before we started our trek.

I am smiling but I am also reminding myself that I am a little bit of a crazy person. The rain didn't help. I hate hiking in the rain. It was wet and chilly, bad way to start an adventure.

From the get go our guide was very strict about hiking slow. It was so annoying and so so so slow. That was really hard on the first day. We were hiking 6.8 miles and going from 5,900 ft to 9,900 ft. It was long and slow as we stayed behind our guides.

We were hiking through the African rain forest.

The real MNP's are the porters. They carry everything to make sure the trip is as easy as possible for all of the tourists who visit their country. I am so grateful for them. They carry a very heavy load and hike very fast. It is hard work but a decent job in Tanzania.

There were so many different and cool trees in Africa.

We knew we were at camp when we saw the sign. Every camp is marked by these fun signs. We were wet and tired and happy to be done for the day.

It was fun to get to camp and see all the other tents. This picture doesn't do it justice but there were tents everywhere.

When you arrive in camp your tent is set up, your belongings on your bed mat, a porter takes your day pack, hot drinks are waiting in the mess tent along with a snack. It's nice to get to camp and not have to do anything but relax.

Popcorn and hot chocolate were ready for us in the mess tent.

Day one was a success. I didn't love hiking wet all day but I survived. I went to bed early because once the sun went down it got cold fast and I was exhausted. My sleeping bag, known as the cloud, was waiting for me. I love that thing and it worked all it's magic on this trip!

I am going to Africa!!!!!!!!

 Last year I had planned on hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa. COVID was the dream wrecker for that. It was unfortunate because I had plane tickets and a tour selected. I also felt like I was in pretty good shape. It was disappointing when it became a reality that it was not going to happen. Luckily I was able to make it happen this year. And it was lucky. There were some extra expenses because of COVID. Tanzania has a red do not travel alert form the US government, so that made me a little nervous. But everything fell into place and I got to go to Africa.

Packing is a long and careful process for trips like this. You just have to have very specific gear and you can't forget anything.  It took me around three days to pack completely. I am also a total over-packer, which causes some stress because there isn't room on trips like this for anything extra. I had a pile of all my gear in the guest bedroom and I would add to it each day. Finally I brought it all downstairs and started to organize it.

It started to look a little better. The stuff on the left is for the hike. All of that goes in one bag. The stuff on the right is for the safari. All of that is in a different bag.

It all fit into my bags. I had two checked bags and two carry on bags. So much stuff!

Dan and my mom took me and Cyndee to the airport. Our bags filled the entire back of the CRV. That's a lot of stuff!

We flew from Salt Lake to Amsterdam. That was a 9 hour flight and we survived! We had a couple of hours in Amsterdam. We did a bunch of walking and then relaxed before boarding the plan for another 9 hour flight to Kilimanjaro airport.

The flight from Amsterdam was awful for me. My legs were so tight, I was in a middle seat and I was done sitting. My body is not made for sitting. It was terrible and it felt extra long because I was miserable. We finally made it Africa . . . . . and then it took forever to get out of the airport. The plane was huge and so about 450 people got off. We then had to wait in a bunch of lines for different things. One line to sign a health waiver, then a line to pay for a covid test, then a line to print out your receipt for COVID test, then a line to get the COVID test, a line to get your results, and finally the line to get through immigration. There were two-three workers in every line. It took us three hours to get through all the lines and finally have our bags. Then we had an hour car ride to the hotel. Our plane landed a little before 9pm and I wasn't getting to bed until close to 2am. It had been a very long day.

But we were in Africa and we had a day to rest before we started our trek!

Summer!

 Stephanie, Katie and I hiked up raock Canyon to the lookout. The only picture I took was Moki drinking out of the water fountain. She is so funny.

I finally got to go to the temple. The last time I went was February 2020 before COVID became crazy. It felt so good.

After Jacquie, eric and I hiked Nebo we stopped at the Devil's kitchen on the way home. It's a little overlook you walk to that mimics Bryce Canyon. It was actually pretty cool.

July 10th is my Dad's birthday. It seemed fitting that we honor him with milkshakes. Anthony got the rocky road in his favor. We went to Dan's and ate them with my mom, Sam's family and Dan.

 This week I am trying to get ready to go to Africa. I have a lot to get done. I am excited but also a little nervous. All the COVID stuff makes me nervous. I am hoping everything goes well on Kilimanjaro.

Mt. Nebo, The North Summit

 I have been running and hiking with Jacquie Cater in the morning before work for years. We switched to hiking a few years ago, I couldn't keep up with her running. It has been so fun and such a blessing in my life. Last year during COVID it was especially important for me as so many other relationships were put on hold because gathering was dangerous. We still felt like we could hike and I was sooooo grateful. More recently her husband Eric has joined us for our morning hikes. It has been great. We decided to do some longer hikes together on weekends at some point. On Saturday July 10th we hiked Mt. Nebo.

I thought I had hiked MT. Nebo before in 2008. I actually looked back at my blog post about the hike to remind myself of what to expect. In 2008 I wasn't hiking much. Just a few hikes a year. I didn't have Moki yet so I wasn't hiking nearly as much as I am now. Amber Ellis, Julianne Craft and I hiked it together. All I remember from the hike is how steep it was coming down and how sore I was. I was sore for a week. All the downhill muscles were not happy with me:). I assumed there was only one Mt. Nebo hike and thought we did it.

On Saturday I learned I was wrong. We actually did the South Summit in 2008. The beginning of the hike was similar to what I remembered but as soon as we started going uphill I knew it was a different hike. The main difference was there were no switchbacks on the Nebo hike I just completed. You actually go straight up and then straight down. It was still very very steep but it was different. I knew for sure it was different when we got to the saddle. The rock on the peak was a different color and the ridge of the saddle was very sketchy. I wasn't too scared but someone that doesn't like hikes would not want to do this hike. It was crazy enough that I knew it was now a different hike. I had to come home and research what I did in 2008 because I was so confused. Turns out tehre are three peaks on Mt. Nebo. In 2008 I did the South Summit, a little shorter in height than the north summit. You approach the mountain from Andrews Ridge. In 2019 I did the north summit and started at monument trailhead. This time I was hiking in July instead of September and it was beautiful. The flowers were out in full bloom. It ended up being a perfect day for a long mountain hike.

A beatiful Saturday morning.

 The first 2 miles of the hike are pretty easy. At mile 2 you go up a very steep section. There are no switchbacks and so it is actually straight up to a ridge. I knew as we went up that coming down that was going to be rough. Then you walk on a beautiful ridge for a mile or so before you get a look at the false summit. Pictures do not do it justice. It was straight up to get to the false summit. Probably a mile or so of straight up! I realize in the picture it looks like a gradual little climb. Pictured don't tell the entire truth!!!

After getting to the false summit you walk along the very steep saddle to summit. There are a million different paths so it is kind of tricky. It is also a mix of hiking/climbing.

Somewhere along the saddle looking towards the summit.

We rested at one point to let  some hikers past and watching them climb made me so nervous. They were making it look very hard. We actually talked about if we should keep going after watching them. I am so glad we did. It was not as hard as they made it look.

The summit!!! We did it.

Moki is the best little hiker. I made her carry her own water:)

Summits are for selfies:)

Another selfie on the way down with the summit in the background.

Moki and Koda were pretty tired on the way back. We stopped to get our poles out for the steep sections on the way back. Moki just laid down on the uncomfortable rocks and watched us.

I love adventuring with my dog. She is my favorite outdoor buddy.

It was a long day but so worth it. Going down took just as long as going up because it was so steep. I was so thankful I had hiking poles they saved me from falling numerous times. We hiked for just over 6 hours. I think with breaks and stopping on top the entire thing was just under 8 hours. It was 10.86 miles, and an elevation gain of 3,719ft. I was grateful to not be as sore as I was in 2008. All the hiking I do now has paid off. My calves were the only thing a little sore. Oddly enough they are sore to the touch but not sore when I move. Weird? It was fun to get in a good long hike before I leave for Africa.

California Part 3

 We left Jan and Lou's and headed to Susanville. We wanted to finish the trip at Aaron and Jacklyn's. We stopped in Redding on the way and had dinner at my cousin Cody's house. Aunt Virginia was there and Cody's family. It was a fun way to break up the drive. The kids got to swim and the adults got to visit. Virginia, Cody and Jen made a delicious dinner as well. Again I didn't take a single picture. That seems to be the theme for this trip. It was such a nice visit though.

We were all pretty tired by the end of our trip. Lots of individuals were battling colds and so there was some sickness too. I love Susanville. I was excited to hike every morning. It felt great to be able to fit that in. Saturday, our first day there, we just hung out at Aaron and Jacklyn's. We played games, visited, ran errands, and the kids did the slip n slide.

 Sunday was the 4th of July!!!! We had so many sick people we decided we probably should not show up to church during a pandemic. We watched Music and the Spoken Word and my mom did her ward virtually. Some of us were feeling antsy because we had been inside all day the day before. We decided to take a short trip to Crater Lake. I am not sure if this was a good decision or the worst decision ever. The weather was great in Susanville and we drove to the lake. As soon as we got out of the car there was the loudest thunder. We ended up hanging out on the shore for at least an hour while the thunder, lightening, and rain storm passed. Luckily Aaron and Jacklyn brought a canopy we could relax under.

I am glad we waited it out. Eventually the sun came out and we swam a little. It was a beautiful location. The dogs loved it.

Maybe another time we will get to paddle board on it.

 Emerson is finally becoming a picture taker. He hated pictures for so long but I am loving that he is willing to smile for a camera now:)

That evening we roasted smores and watched fireworks from Aaron's backyard. It was a nice and relaxing evening. Moki sported her fourth of July gear.

 

We all went to bed pretty early because people had been sick and tomorrow was the trip home. The trip home went smoothly. It was so nice to be home. I couch surfed most of the break and it was amazing to be back in my bed. I had a pretty easy week. I exercised, started getting ready for my Africa trip, and spent too many late nights playing games with family (my mom came back to Utah with us.)