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