Hey, I'm Mike, 20 from Manchester, England.

I was intending to climb Kili for my 21st birthday (March 21st) however since that is the start of the rainy season I have revised my plan and have just accepted that February is going to be my likely climb date.

I would like to use the Machame route and have the extra acclimatization day at Karanga Valley, just to give myself every possible chance of reaching the summit. I have emailed around a few companies after for quotes (just waiting on replies) but I cannot see cost being a huge issue. I am very open to doing a Safari afterwards.

As I said, I'm based in Manchester (North England) but I can get to London very easily so that shouldn't be a problem.

I am quite set on going via the Machame route but I am flexible to a certain degree in terms of dates.

Hope to hear you soon!

Mike Bebbington

(michael_bebbington@yahoo.com)

Hi Mike

I've just booked a Machame climb which starts on 9th Feb to 15th Feb 2010. I booked through Adventure Alternative and so far they have been very good at arranging everything for me. I'm still deciding about Safari afterwards...

Let me know if you would like any further details and I can email them over.

Cheers

Michelle (28, London)

Hi Michelle, Mike,

I'm also very interested in climbing through the Machame route on 7 days, around end of january, begening of february but I'm struggling to choose which company to use (ethical, safe, prices...)
Can you advise me?

Thx

Fred

Hi guys,
I'm Bryan from Dublin, I'm 37, and will fly to Nairobi 31st January, I've 3 weeks to hopefully climb Mt Kenya @ 5000m approx, some 200kms north of Nairobi, should take 5 or 6 days approx, then travel back to Nairobi and hopefully connect with a bus to Kili, where I'm hoping to bribe the officials, or get a really cheap guide to get me inside the park, then I'll go solo from there to the summit and back. Last February I summated Aconcagua @ 6962m in 13days solo, up and down, so reckon Kili will be a piece of cake in comparison, especially as its located beside the equator. I've done some research, and guide companies charge over €2000 to summit Kili, which is a complete joke, as seriously its a walk in the park, there are no technical areas, its simply all about acclimatizing adequately. If I do Mt Kenya first, I'm confident of doing Kili in 5 days up and down, hauling a 25kilo back pack whcih includes a 1 man tent, sleeping bag, cooking equipment and supplies. I'm hoping to rent some altitude equipment beside the national park itslef, and as mentioned, try to get into the park as chaeply as possible, i also understand that the officials there charge $100/day just to be inside, a rip off if you ask me!
Anyone interested otr knows of guide prices etc, please contact me.
Cheers and best of luck to everyone attempting the summit
Bryan

What kind of 'altitude equipment' are you hoping to rent? I personally can't think of any you need. Good boots, clothing to keep you warm and dry, hat, gloves, sun glasses, camera, walking sticks, sun screen, container for water (of course the guides and porters know where to find water, do you?)...

2000 Euros? It sounds like you are looking at high end outfitters for that price. You can go though the Marangu Hotel and do it 'the hard way' and get in with just the minimum cost. Its a pretty well controlled mountain for entry. Plus there are rangers at each camp. You'd probably spend more in bribes to each park official that you came across than you would in just buying a trip. You can get a trip in Moshi for about $1000 USD (maybe less these days) that includes food, tent, crew to carry your gear, etc. The 'hard way' climbs with the Mangaru just cost for park entry fees for x number of days, guide, and the guide's porter. You take care of yourself and the guide just makes it official. Don't know the current cost but less then the $1000.

Hey there anonymous,
Thanks for that info, sounds like you've been there and bought the t-shirt? I'm not 100%, but figure it would be wise to have some down outer clothing for summit day (which hopefully can be locally hired?), I'm not the type to hang around on the mountain for an extra day or so just because of inclement weather, especially if the rangers/officials charge US$100/day! As mentioned, I'm also not the type to pay someone to carry my gear up and back down, what’s the point in that, may as well take a helicopter ride to the summit, jump out and take a photo, if you see my point. I don't want to walk into a shop and buy myself a trophy, I want to fully earn it myself, 100%. It's simply a money racket because it’s the highest mountain in Africa/one of the 7 summits. If your correct, max US$1000 for the provision of a guide/porter inclusive of the daily park fee sounds like a good deal in comparison to 2 or 3 times the amount some companies have quoted me, I'll look out for that for sure and see if there's any further bargaining possible. If you have any actual contact details, please forward the here, thanks and best wishes
Bryan