Vacationitis

def'n: vacationitis: "It is a fairly normal condition which is a result of ones immanent departure from "town" and headed to somewhere else. It can happen whether one is leaving for the weekend or for a week or longer. It can happen whether you are going across town to stay in a hotel or out of state for a much longer vacation."

Let me tell you, when you are about to head on a more epic vacation than normal, it's even worse. I think I've memorized my itinerary, have Google Earth'ed Kilimanjaro more than once this week, and have just checked the weather in Tanzania.

*SIGH*

Anyways, 8 more days.

Hmmm...I notice that there isn't a Wikipedia or Wiktionary entry for vacationitis. I think I may need to make one up.

Critical Test Succesful

No this has nothing to do with finding out whether my blood has enough oxygen carrying capacity for high altitudes or anything.

Instead, I test packed my duffel bag today. Important findings:

1) It is really full of stuff. Funny how packing clothes for a 2 week trip and multiple climates will do that. Mostly it's a reminder that I was way too cheap almost 10 years ago and should have bought a down sleeping bag instead of the way-too-bulky synthetic.

2) I have a surprisingly comprehensive collection of outdoor gear and clothing. Well, mostly clothing.... not a camp stove to be found, but then again, I'm not cooking on this trip.

3) It all fits! All my stuff for the hike actually does fit in the duffel, including all costs, clothes, sleeping bag/pad, etc.

4) It's a little heavy: my not completely accurate assessment of weight of bag + contents clocks in at 34 pounds, slightly over the 30 pounds per porter limit. Not sure if this means I'm paying extra, or whether I'll be pulling my sleeping bag out on the mountain.

5) It barely all fits; as in my trekking poles, daypack, hiking boots do NOT fit (or at least wouldn't easily). This means I'm good for the hike, but not for air travel. I sort of expected this, but it means I'm definitely bringing a second piece of checked baggage so I can get all that stuff in this one, and have a small piece to use and keep in town.

Anyways, good stuff to know. Now I just have a few other things to get (sunscreen, snacks, etc) and I'm ready (gear-wise) to go in less than three weeks!

General Update

I haven't kept this up very well, but here's a basic update:

Point One, Uno, the Key:

I leave in 6 weeks. Tomorrow. Scary.

Woo!

But seriously, mega-prep still to be done. I've bought most of my stuff... a few small things still hanging out. I'm working out regularly. I still want to get more in shape, and little lighter. I need to do a few more hikes, although I'm reasonably confident in my boots, and like my pack.

Also a major point: The trip is now paid for. Yay!

So, all in all, not bad, just lots of double checking, and continued focus on fitness and final prep. But still mainly daunting that it's ONLY 6 weeks away!

New Daypack

During my recent return to home (Calgary, woot!) went with the fam to MEC to pick up some gear... always tough shopping for this stuff in Memphis, which is not exactly an outdoor pursuits hotspot.

Anyways, long story short, my new daypack (the MEC Gladerunner) is apparently a "freeride daypack" so now I can hike my snowboard up mountains in the winter. All I know is that it does what I want, is the right size, and fit really well.

New Hiking Boots

Vasque - Zephyr GTX

Finally got around to buying new hiking boots last weekend... much more serious than the current cross-trainer-ish type hikers than I've been wearing the past couple years.

These also replace my way-old non-waterproof heavier-than-heck all-leather boots that I basically never wore.

And yes, I need to break them in - although I did go for a light 3.5 hour hike the day after I bought them and had no problems, hotspots, blisters or anything, so the time spent in the shop trying them on and entertaining/scaring the other customers apparently paid off.

One of those "why I'm going" pictures

This is from a blog by some Brits from Yorkshire of their climb back in January.



Appropriately labeled "The view from our tent".

Heck yes! And that's at Karanga Velly camp, around 12,000 feet in altitude, day 4 of the same route (at the beginning at least) I'm taking.

Drat.

It's important to note that opportunities for really cool experiences like this don't come without sacrifices. In this case, there's lots of supposed sacrifices (training, planning time, etc.) that are actually worthwhile things in themselves. And obviously there's the cost (major coin).

However, there are actual sacrifices involved... the sort of thing that Warren Buffett crossed with any economist could call "the opportunity cost for psychic satisfaction".

In this case, my trip dates eliminate the possibility of doing two really great things: First, some of my favourite people here are spending the Labour Day weekend in a beach house. Without me. Major suckage, as my high school self would have put it. Secondly, the Austin City Limits Music Fest is the final weekend of the trip... meaning of course, that I will not be seeing Bob Dylan, Joss Stone, the White Stripes, Killers, Arctic Monkeys, Block Party, Bjork, etc, etc, bloody etcetera at this time.

Bleh.

Ah well, it'll be worth it, surely.

Poles

And no I'm not talking about our friends from Poland...

REI Product Page

Alright... so I'm not a small guy. I'm not getting any younger. I insist on running despite these things. So I don't have great knees.

However, I try not to be outright stupid about things... and in addition to adopting a 'knee friendly' running stride, I'm also perfectly OK with poling my way up - and especially down - hills.

However, this grand dream has been put off - until now. I always held off on buying a set of trekking poles, even though I know they're for my own good. Two main reasons:

1) They look goofy
2) They're for old people
3) They're expensive

OK, three main reasons, but points 1) and 2) can be bucketed under "vanity" together pretty easily. Besides, the ones I'm getting are sort of tech-y looking. Sort of. And Paul Klein's Mom was a wicked fast hiker and SHE used them... she'd just go poling by everyone half her age, with that smooth pole flicking noise they'd generate. So that takes care of #2.

As for #3, they're on clearance, man! And better last a lifetime or I'm holding REI responsible.

Headlamp

REI Product Page



Alright - as I've been laid up the past couple days, I figure this is a perfect opportunity to delve into the mysterious world of backpacking gear for the first time in a few years. After all, I now NEED some things, cool gadget-ish things that I always want but don't buy because I don't really NEED them.

Except now... I do.

So, first out of the gate: a decent headlamp.

Man these things are WAY cheaper and better than they used to be! Funny what years of technological progress will eventually get you in consumer value!

So, why this one? After a bunch of reading, I seemed pretty settled on a hybrid incandescent/LED lamp. In terms of functionality, LEDs of course give you really long battery life (which is why they'll eventually take over industrial and home lighting in the future) but lag on throwing off volumes of light any kind of distance (why you aren't seeing LEDs in car headlights yet). So, a hybrid seemed the way to go.

However, reading enough reviews of the newer "super bright" LEDs pushed me in that direction... I figure how much light do I really need? I'll be packing a flashlight as well anyways, and the lighter weight / longer life seemed appealing.

So, I ended up with the headlamp pictured here. And of course, I had an REI coupon.

Vehicles

While I'm at it, here's a couple pictures of the companies safari jeeps - nice looking Toyota's with pop-tops!




And yes, I'll be happily surprised if they look this new and this clean when we see them in September ;)

Packing List

Below is the suggested packing list from my outfitter. What's fascinating to me - and to be honest, kind of depressing - is how little of this I have. One would think, that after years of camping and hiking I would have pretty much everything here... but I don't.

On the other hand, I do have most of the clothes, and a decent sleeping bag. I've also been needing to get some trekking poles (gotta watch those knees!) and a better headlamp.

Glacier glasses? Maybe a one in a life use, so we'll see...

Anyways, more to come, and good to have an excuse to do some fun shopping!

My Dad is already blocking off time when I go home in July for a trip to Mountain Equipment Co-op to take care of most anything I need.

The real fun is the insane pharmacy we'll all be carting up the mountain - I think I'll need a porter just for the meds! I'm looking forward to talking to my PCP about some of this ;)

Kilimanjaro Packing List

Clothing
- 2 synthetic shirts, long sleeve

- 2 synthetic t-shirts

- 2 pairs of synthetic hiking shorts

- 1 pair of synthetic trekking pants

- 1 pair of warmer hiking pants

- 1 or 2 pairs of fleece long underwear/ trousers

- 1 pair of leg gaiters

- 1 pair of socks per trekking day, with at least 2 pairs of lighter (synthetic) socks and 3 pairs of heavy wool/synthetic blend

- 1 pair of underwear per day

- 1 warm fleece jacket

- 1 goretex rain/wind shell

- 1 pair of goretex rain/wind pants

- 1 poncho

- 1 fleece sweater

- 1 pair of fleece glove liners.

- 1 pair of cold weather gloves or mittens

- 1 pair of light windproof gloves

- 1 warm hat

- 1 sun hat

- 1 balaclava

- 1 pair trekking boots (medium weight, waterproof)

- 1 pair of walking/camp shoes

- 1 pair UV-blocking sunglasses with side-gussets

Other Equipment

- 1 soft (no hard frame or wheels) duffel bag or backpack (porters will carry)

- 1 daypack

- Plastic bags of different sizes (to protect clothes against rain)

- 1 warm mountain sleeping bag (10 degree rated (F))

- 2 trekking poles – highly recommended

- 1 head lamp (with extra batteries and light bulb)

- 1 emergency foil blanket

- 1 pocket knife

- 3 One-liter water bottles, or substitute with hydration pack

- Sun block. We suggest the highest possible SPF rating

- Water purification tablets / or filter/pump. We recommend tablets as the best and most fool-proof way to purify water.

- 2 bandanas

First Aid Kit
Your first-aid kit should include the following:

-Blister bandages /mole-skin

-Small bandages (band-aids)

-Elasticised support bandage (ace-wrap)

-Safety pins

-Small pair of scissors



Medicines in your first aid kit should be discussed with your physician, and should include addressing the following:

-Analgesics (pain killers); Acetaminophen (ie. Tylenol), Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Vidocin*

-Anti-Allergy; Hydrocortizone (ointment), Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (oral anti-histamine)(ie: Sudafed); Epinephrine*

-Antibiotics; Bacitracin (ointment), Erythromycin*, Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride* (Cipro)

-Antacids; Bismuth sabsalicylate (ie. Pepto-Bismol)

-Anti-Diarrhea; Loperamide hydrochloride (ie. Immodium), Tinidazole*

-Anti-Emetics (anti-vomiting); Prochlorperazine*, Promethazine*

-Anti-Vertigo (anti-motion sickness); Meclizine*, Scopolamine*

-Altitude illness medicine ; Acetazolamide* (diamox), Dexamethazone*, Nifedipine*

-Sterile eye drops

-Anti-malarial prophylaxis medicine*



* Prescription medicines

Itinerary

Below is the itinerary for the climb and safari... most interesting is the altitudes, I think!

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Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania or Kenya

A company representative will pick your group outside of the customs gate at Kilimanjaro International Airport. We will pick you at the airport and transfer back to the hotel. No plans for tonight, as most flights arrive at night.

Day 2:
Full day of being in Tanzania

Today you will have the opportunity to go over any last minute questions with the guide and office manager. The guide will review your gear, talk about the trip, expectations, safety, and introduce you to a few people on the trip.

At this point you will also have the chance to leave a bag behind with anything you don't need on the Kilimanjaro climb. Your left-behind gear will be secured at the storage room and will meet you as soon as you back from climb.

It's a great day to explore the local market and get adjusted to life and people in Tanzania. We can arrange for a guide to show you around the town.

Day 3:
Mt. Kilimanjaro Summit Trek - Machame Route
Machame Gate (1634 m/5,363 ft) to Machame Hut (2834 m/9,300 ft)
Hike time: 7.5 hrs
Elevation change: +1200 m/+3937 ft
Estimated distance: 10km/6.21 miles
Final elevation: 3100 m/10,170 ft

Early pick-up and a 1.5 hour drive to Machame gate (5,400’) where trekking preparations take about 30 minutes. From the gate, we begin our trek following an easy track for the first hour through the dense forest. The path continues to follow the ridge, rising steadily with several steep sections. The gradient eases slightly as the forest merges into heather covered ground we will reach Machame Hut in 10 km (6.2 miles) after a 1,200-meter (3,936’) ascent and 5-7 hours of walking.

Day 4:
Machame Hut (2834 m/9,300 ft) to Shira Hut (3749 m/12,300 ft)
Hike time: 7 hrs
Elevation change: +800 m/+244 ft
Estimated distance: 6km/3.75 miles
Final elevation: 3800 m/12,467 ft

From the Machame Hut, we cross the stream onto its west bank and follow the path up the steep rocky ridge - criss-crossing a few times before reaching Shira Hut at the base of a semi-circular wall of rocks. We will have ascended 900 meters (3,000’) in 5-7 hours and about 6 km (3.72 miles) of walking.

Day 5:
Shira Hut (3749 m/12,300 ft) to Barranco Hut (3901 m/12,800 ft)/or Lava Tower
Hike time: 5 hrs Elevation change: +100 m/+328 ft Final elevation: 3900 m/12,800 ft

From Shira Hut, we hike to Lava Tower (15,000’) and then proceed to Barranco via the Great Barranco Wall. This route offers panoramic views of Kibo peak through Karanga Valley as we hike high and sleep low, dropping back down to Barranco after lunch. Today’s hike will take most of the day.

Day 6: Barranco Hut (3901 m/12,800 ft) to Karanga Valley (3963 m/13,000 ft) Hike time: 3.5 hrs Elevation change: +100 m/+328 ft Estimated distance: 4km/2.5 mile Final elevation: 3963 m/13,000 ft

From Barranco Hut, we climb up through the edge of great Barranco. 95 percentage of the walking today will be on elevation of 4250m. We will break our day at Karanga valley campsite at elevation of 4,000m.

Day 7:
Karanga Valley (3963 m/13,000 ft) to Barafu Hut (4,600 m/15,091 ft)
Hike time: 3.5 hrs
Elevation change: +600 m/+1968 ft
Estimated distance: 4km/2.5 miles
Final elevation: 4,600 m/15,091 ft

Today involves gaining a little more elevation, acclimatizing and resting for the hike to the Crater Camp the next day. You will have plenty of time to rest today and get to see numerous groups preparing for their night time departures. This camp can be cold.

Day 8:
Barafu Camp to Crater Camp
Hike time: 8.5 hrs
Elevation changes: +1190 M
Estimated distance: 7 km
Final elevation: 5790 M

Today you will be the long ascent to Crater Camp, located just 1 hour below the summit of Kilimanjaro. This is an enormous climb, traveling more than 2,500 ft. Camp is set in the wide crater atop Kilimanjaro, in soft sand near the indigo streaked Furtwangler Glacier. This is perhaps the most difficult day and night.

Day 9:
Summit Day!
Crater Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Hike time to Uhuru Peak : 1 to 2 hrs
Hike time to Mweka Camp: 5 to 7 hrs
Elevation changes to Uhuru : +100 M
Estimated distance: 7 km
Final elevation: 5896 M
Final elevation at Mweka: 3100

Today will be the final ascent to Kilimanjaro. From the crater rim, rugged Mawenzi Peak is a thrilling sight, with the Kibo saddle still in darkness beneath you, and the crater's ice-walls looming ahead. We now continue to Uhuru Peak (1-2 hrs.) This is the highest point in Africa, and the world's highest solitary peak (19,340 ft). It is the best view in Africa! The descent is invigorating. It is a good idea to have a little rest as you continue down back to Barafu camp for lunch, and then down the Mweka route to Mweka camp (5 hours). This is where we spend our last night on the mountain.

Day 10:
Mweka Camp to Moshi

Descent time: 4 hrs
Elevation change: -1250M
Estimated distance: 10km
Final elevation: 1828 M
In the morning we have about 3 - 31/2 hours to the gate. After a welcome lunch, it is time to say "kwaheri or goodbye" to the porters. We then get a lift back to your hotel in Moshi.


You will also need to coordinate with the hotel to wash your clothes as soon as you arrive, so they can clean and ready for your safari that begins the next day.

You will meet your safari guide today.

Day 11:
Moshi – Lake Manyara National Park – Rim of Ngorongoro Crater

After morning breakfast at the hotel, we will head to Lake Manyara National Park, just outside of Mto Wa Mbu (River of Mosquitoes) a colorful tribal town known for the Masai tribe. Lake Mayarra lies in a shallow basin at the foot of the western wall of the Rift Valley.

Lake Manyara spreads out at the bottom of the sheer, red brown cliffs of the Rift escarpment. This park is a study in contrasts; with a dry, dusty brown heat haze filling the air, a vivid, green vegetation fringe surrounding the lake, and the shimmering blue water of the lake itself spreading out to the horizon

There is population of elephant, giraffe, pelicans, storks, baboons, bushbuck, civet, leopard, cormorants, geese, ducks and flamingoes. If you are lucky, you will see one of the climbing tree lions.

After Lake Manyara, we will head to the Ngorongoro Crater rim to your hotel a few hours away. You will be ready to have five star dining and hotel services at this lodge, which is perched on the rim of the crater. We will not descend to the crater until the next morning.

Day 12:
Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Serengeti National Park

Begin with an early morning departure down to the Ngorongoro Crater. We should be at the bottom of the crater by 6:30 a.m, early wake up at 5:00 a.m.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which lies between the Serengeti and the Lake Manyara National Parks boasts the largest unbroken, inactive, and unflooded caldera in the world. Perhaps having once been about the same size as Mount Kilimanjaro, when the volcanic activity subsided, it collapsed inward resulting in a crater 18 kilometers (11 miles) across. Surrounded by very steep walls 610 meters (2000 feet) deep, this natural amphitheatre covers an area of about 260 square kilometers (100 square miles) and is home for up to 25,000 larger mammals. Nearly half of those being zebra and wildebeest while other species found are buffalo, gazelle, eland, hartebeest, warthog, and the elusive black rhino. Lion, hyena, cheetah, and leopard are among the predators within the crater.

After a mid morning lunch at the bottom of the crater, we will begin on drive to the Serengeti. It’s a long, rough road deep out in the bush. Be ready to see tons of wildlife, but spend a lot of time getting there.

More than 6 million hooves pound the legendary plains of the Serengeti. Every year, triggered by the rains, more than a million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson's gazelle gather to undertake the long trek to new grazing lands. Tanzania's first and most famous park, the Serengeti is renowned for its wealth of leopard and lion. The vast reaches of the park help the black rhino to fight extinction and provide a protected breeding ground for the vulnerable cheetah. Witness predator versus pry and the fundamental independence of the Serengeti's abundant species, from more than 500 varieties of bird to 100 types of dung beetle.

Drive Time: 5 to 6 hours depending upon the road. You will be on safari during the last 2 hours of this drive.

Day 13:
Serengeti National Park

We have a full day of game drives in the Serengeti from sunrise to sunset, exploring hippos pools, looking for lions, and discovering animals around every corner. This is the day we will try to head to the migration.

Depending upon the wildebeest migration vicinity, we will begin with a morning game drive, return to the hotel for lunch, and have an afternoon to sunset game drive. This will be the day that you will see most likely the most animals.

Drive Time: You are free to drive as far, or as little, as you please today

Day 14:
Serengeti National Park to Tarangire National Park
After morning breakfast at the hotel, we will make the long trek to Tarangire National Park, passing back by the Ngorongoro Crater. The first half, and the last half of today will be safaris.

Located 120km from Arusha, Tarangire is the sixth largest park in Tanzania. With baobab and acacia trees, much like the Serengeti, Tarangire is home to legions of elephants, which inhabit this park in large herds. In the park you also find other game such as rhino, buffalo, eland, warthog, the fringe-eared oryx, lesser and greater kudu, gerenuk and a large number of impala.

The rains scatter the seasonal visitors over a 20,000 square kilometre (about 12,500 sq miles) range until they exhaust the green plains and the river calls once more. But Tarangire mobs of elephant are easily encountered, wet or dry. The swamps, tinged green year round, are the focus for 50 bird varieties, the most breeding species in one habitat anywhere in the world. On drier ground you find Koori bustard, the heaviest flying bird; the stocking sighed ostrich, the world largest bird; and ground hornbills that bluster like turkeys. Tarangire pythons climb trees, as do this lions and leopards, lounging in the branches where the fruit of the sausage tree disguises the twitch of a tail.

Tarangire National Park is one of the most underrated parks and you could spend a great deal of time exploring this park. Tonight we will camp under the stars just outside of Tarangire Park, listening to the sounds of wild animals around the campsite.

Day 15:

After breakfast, we begin with a sunrise game drive, which is always rewarding to watch the animals eating early in the morning. We have a half day of game drive. After lunch, we journey back to Kilimanjaro International Airport. We will stop at some of the abundant craft markets as we return.

It's a quite steep, until the top, then it slopes away rather sharply...

So yes, the goal is simple: climb Kilimanjaro. More on this later.

First post

This is the first post - self explanatory enough for you?