Kili lite

Having decided that I was not going to climb Kili due to money, time and knee compassion I felt the need to hike ON the mountain, if not UP it.

I set out with my guide (my travelling companion had amoebic dysentery so stayed behind in the comfort of the hotel) and took a dala dala and then a taxi from Moshi to Marangu Gate.

Having sorted out the National Park permit etc we headed up the well-trodden path of the Marangu, or 'Coca-Cola' route, so-named after its popularity and, rather depressingly, the litter that apparently sometimes accumulates there.

The path went up very gently through thick montane forest with beautiful tree ferns and bright flowers growing on tree trunks.  Thick mosses lines the branches and vine hung down from the canopy.  Waterfalls gurgled as they tumbled off the mountain. I plodded on up and, after stopping to removed a couple of large ants that had sneakily scaled my boot, sock and leg before biting chunks out of my thigh inside my trousers, I eventually made it to Mandara Hut, the end of the first day for those going all the way up. By this time the rain had started and the whole area was shrouded in cloud.  I had lunch and then walked up to Maundi Crater from where on a clear day it's possible to see Kibo Peak and Moshi.  I saw cloud, but it was a nice place to be nonetheless.  At this point (above 2700m) the forests had given way to moorland and the vegetation was very different.  The mosses were different but still lined all the the branches of the small trees and shrubs.

Feeling satisified that I had hiked on Kilimanjaro, if not up it, I slowly walked back down to the gate and returned to Moshi. It was quite a hard day's hiking but I was pleased to have done it.