T-minus 2 days till Mt. Kilmanjaro

Its almost time for our climb and the nerves definitely haven't subsided. I keep thinking in the back of my mind that I have plenty of time left to prepare when I am really leaving tonight for Nairobi. I guess it will all become reality when we strap on our packs and head out. I thought it might be of interest to some to have a detailed version of the hike day by day. Our hike officially begins Sunday which corresponds to Day 1 on this schedule. Pictures and memories from the experience to come!

Day 1
Machame Gate (1490m) to Machame Camp (2980m)
Distance: 18 kms
Time: 7 hours

The day starts early with a 45 minute drive from Moshi to the Machame Gate at Kilimanjaro National Park. After registering you will enter the forest almost immediately. Rain is likely and the trails can be very muddy at times. Meals and overnight at the camp.

Day 2 Machame Camp (2980m) to Shira camp (3840m)
Distance: 9kms
Time: 6 hours

You rise early from Machame Camp and climb an hour or two out of the forest. From here you hit moorlands and the route becomes much more gentler. From here you will be able to see east and the glaciers along the Western Breach. Meals and overnight at the camp with temperatures dropping well below freezing.

Day 3 Shira camp (3840m) to Barranco camp (3950m)
Distance: 15kms
Time: 7 hours

The route turns east into semi desert with a rocky landscape. You will hit 4630 m elevation at Lava tower where some climbers will begin to feel the symptoms of altitude. From here you will descend to camp following the climbing motto of climb high sleep low. Expect a beautiful sunset in the valley as you arrive at camp.

Day 4 Barranco camp (3950m) to Barafu camp (4550m)
Distance: 13kms
Time: 7 hours

After spending the night at the Great Barranco wall, you will make you way up this expanse which proves easier than it sounds. At the top of the wall enjoy views of the glaciers. The last stop for water is at the Karranga Valley as Barafu means "ice" in Swahili and there is no water to be found at this campsite. The campsite isn't for the weak of heart as it is situated on an exposed ridge. Be careful to scope out the site before dark to avoid dangerous falls during the night. Bed will be early as the summit attempt begins at midnight.

Day 5 Barafu camp (4550m) to Uhuru peak (5895m) to Mweke camp (3100m)
Distance: 7kms ascent 23 kms descent
Time: 8 hours to Uhuru and 8 hours to Mweke

After waking at midnight you will ascend into heavy screened terrain towards Stella point. From Stella point it is approximately another hour till summit. Depending on weather and conditions you will spend a limited amount of time here. The walk back to Barafu camp takes about 3 hours and you can "ski" down the rock screen if you like. At camp enjoy a short nap and then lunch. After lunch set off to Mweke camp which is located just inside the forest. Expect mist and light rain overnight.

Day 6 Mweke camp (3100m) to Mweke gate (1980m)
Distance: 15ks
Time: 3 hours

Its a short morning hike to the gate followed by a drive to Arusha. At the gate hikers that summit receive a certificate and must sign in the official register. Overnight will be in Arusha followed by a drive to Nairobi the following day.

Preparing for Kilmanjaro

We're now 9 days out until the start of our trek. I am starting to feel a little better about the hike although I am still very nervous. I have been trying to workout every night to increase my endurance level. I have never walked for 8 plus hours straight so I do not know what to expect.

This past weekend I was able to try out some of my new (borrowed) gear. I loaded down my back with sleeping bag and sleeping pad and we set off for the hills around Kisumu. This time we managed to find the correct route (On my birthday we veered off trail a bit) and made it up to the top in little over 2 hours. Coming back down was much quicker and a bit drier as it did not rain on us this time.

A few things I've learned on this hike:

1. Hiking packs are amazing and meant for hiking! Don't be cheap and use a regular backpack. You just can't beat the waist strap that elimates most of the pressure off of your back.

2. A basic first aid kit is key. I managed to slip going up and banged up my knee pretty bad. We had a first aid kit yes but it was this fancy army one. No I do not need an IV thank you. A basic alcohol wipe will do.

3. Treking poles are my new best friend. I always thought these were a little stupid until this weekend. They relieve so much stress on your joints, especially going down. I think they are going to be key on summit day when I'm trying to traverse the rock screen.

Overall it was a good test run. Sure we only climbed 1,000 feet and Mt. Kilimanjaro is 19,341 feet but it was good practice. We also made a gear run to the local market. I didn't really think I would be able to find what I needed but only after 30 minutes of searching, sucess!! 2 pairs of under armor pants, 1 pair of hiking pants, and a down coat. Only $15 for all too!!

My loot!

U.S. Secretary of Health pays CDC-Kenya a Visit

It was a pretty normal workday except for one tiny detail. The U.S. Secretary of Health was paying CDC-Kenya a visit. Now to the everyday folk this may not seem like such a big deal, but for the CDC campus here in Kenya to receive a visit you have to be doing SOMETHING right!

A few weeks earlier we had received word that she would be coming for a day to tour some of the facilities and sit in on some of the ongoing projects. She would also stop by campus in the evening to speak briefly to the staff. Immediately renovations were underway! The downstairs entry got a face lift as well as all four of the on site bathrooms. Now I can't say to what extent these changes were noticed but I know the staff here are grateful for the excuse to renovate. On top of construction changes the grounds were perked up a bit to get the place ready.

The day started to get interesting when we were informed at about noon of a lock down. All personnel were to remain inside of Kisian unless they did not want to return. At about 3:30pm all work stopped and the entire staff was ushered outside under tents to wait for her arrival. The doors were closed at 4:15 and no one was allowed to leave after this. Typical Kenyan time, the delegation arrived about 45 minutes late. I was actually surprised because I honestly thought they would not make it at all (the secretary had to catch a plane at 6:30pm).

After a few introductions, the U.S. Secretary of Health, Kathleen Sebelius, spoke briefly to the group. She talked about our achievements and the progress we've made thus far. She was adamant about the importance of future collaborations between the U.S. and Kenya and stressed the global nature of the work we were doing.

Overall, it was a nice afternoon. Do I think her visit changed my thoughts on public health or affected the work done here at CDC in any way? No. But I do think it was a good reminder of the importance of the government's role in our work. And its kind of cool to say I got to see her too! :)

Photos courtesy of CDC-Kenya

Scuba Pictures

Learning scuba techniques in the pool

An eel peaking its head out. A very colorful starfish.

First breaths under the sea!

Receiving instruction from Erwin before going in.

I made it! First successful dive!!

Photos courtesy of Josh Bast

Preparing for.....Mt. Kilimanjaro

Yep that's right. I'm going to do it (or at least attempt to). We're climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro at the end of this month and I'm pretty much terrified. Let me clarify. In no way do I feel I am in any danger or have not taken adequate precautions in attempting this climb. Mt. Kilimanjaro for being the tallest free-standing mountain in the world and the tallest on the African continent, is generally an easy hike. No its no way a walk in the park, but there is not technical climbing required to summit. I am basically just afraid I will not make it to the top.

On August 21st we will begin our four day assent followed by a two day descent of the mountain. Each day we will be hiking on average five and a half hours with our longest hike being summit day. (6 hours up and 5 hours down) To prepare we've started running aiming on endurance rather than speed. I've been also doing some workout DVDs that I brought with me. They say that you do not have to be in peek fitness to summit the mountain. In fact they claim that working out before hand doesn't really improve your chances. It only makes the climb more comfortable. The real test here will be the altitude. Altitude sickness is the main reasons climbers do not make it to the top. At nearly 6,000 meters above sea level, its high and our bodies are definitely not used to breathing yet alone walking at that hike. We will take altitude medicine as a prophylaxis but the key is to take it slow and steady. And I have absolutely no problem with this philosophy!

I've also been trying to accumulate as much hiking gear as possible for the trip so that I don't have to rent next to par equipment at the base camp of the mountain. I'm so grateful that another American here is very well prepared. Below look at all the goodies she let me borrow!