Autism Awareness and Support in Tanzania and Kenya

About the Climb

The organizations we are partnering with are Moshi Primary School and KCMC. We are currently putting together a team for these missions. I will be working with all team members on a continual basis as we prepare for this adventure. I will cover topics such as training, gear, clothing, travel and any other items needed to ensure the entire team is ready to go! Spend some time with us in Tanzania next year.

First of all, let me say that I am incredibly proud to be a part of this team. I live in Charlotte, NC at 591 feet above sea level. Not much in the way of altitude, although I do have the luxury of training on the Appalachian Trail which is a few hours away. I have been leading and organizing outdoor adventures for the past ten years. I’ll share some general training guidelines as we all prepare for our upcoming experience. *Please consult a physician before starting any exercise routine. This advice is generic and broad and may not apply to all ages and levels of fitness.

Before any adventure, I always like to get a “baseline” of my current fitness level. Currently, I am just coming off a recent knee injury and “ran” 5 miles in 52 minutes. I’ll do another 5-mile run and long day hike each month to gauge my progress. I currently walk or run for 45-90 minutes about four times a week. The end goal is not to faster but to increase endurance. During our climb, we will walk at a casual pace for 60-75 minutes, take a short break and do it again several more times throughout the day. We will be going up AND down hills throughout the entire program. The final day will be longer, but we will be ready!

Tony Monaco

Trip Leader

Additional Notes & Considerations

1. Packing List – Concerning clothing, LAYERING is the key. Test out combinations of apparel during your training workouts and hikes. Remember that you will need clothing that wicks moisture away from your body. You don’t want anything that will keep sweat locked in close to your skin. COTTON for any layer, including underwear and socks, should be avoided at all times.
2. What you will carry on the climb – Small Backpack (recommended) that holds approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches. The maximum weight you will be carrying is 8-10 lbs. (includes water bottles). Remember to work out while carrying your pack! A “daypack” typically has enough space for what you will need to carry. However, a “backpack” will have better padding in the shoulders and waist making it more comfortable (and in some cases durable) to carry during our climb. Comfort is king! Make sure the shoulder and waist straps have enough padding to ensure they don’t cut into your shoulders/hips. It needs to be large enough for your daytime walking items. Don’t forget a waterproof backpack cover (optional – you could use liner trash bags inside of backpack instead)
3. Notes about the Training – Don’t worry if you can't train as much the example schedule I will share with you later. If you want to eliminate one or two days, it’s not a problem. I try to do my long hikes/walks on Saturday because it works best for my schedule. The key is to exercise 4-5 times a week and build up your endurance. Walk and hike as much as you can and remember to stretch! Any questions let me know.
4. Immunizations and Medicine to Bring – Check with your doctor (or travel clinic) to make sure your vaccinations are up to date before traveling. You should also consult with your healthcare provider regarding Diamox (Acetazolamide) as it relates to Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Be sure to bring any prescription medication with you from home. We will talk more about dealing with altitude later. All participants are responsible for getting their immunizations before traveling to Tanzania or Kenya. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) provides a list of recommended immunizations on their website.

I would like to talk with each one of you one on one to answer all of your questions and to make sure that we are all on the same page. As I gather your questions, I consolidate them and email responses back to the entire team. Please contact me at your earliest convenience. I look forward to sharing this incredible adventure with all of you.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to be greeted by our team who will assist with luggage and transfer to Moshi and the hotel (around 45 minutes on a tarmac road).

Day 2

Spend the day relaxing and going through a final gear check with the Lead Guides. Shopping for any last minute items that may be needed. Overnight in Moshi.

Day 3

Start of the climbing program. The day begins with a long drive (approximately 3hrs) on a corrugated road, through scrub and farmland to reach Londorossi Park Gate (2100m/6889ft). The journey offers magnificent views of the Great Rift Valley mountains of Mt. Meru and Longido and the Shira zone of parasitic cones which extend along the north of the road. After registration, we take a short drive through plantations to reach the trailhead. After a recent rain, the road can be muddy, adding to the adventure. We begin hiking along a smooth forest trail to reach Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite for dinner and overnight (2,750m/9,022ft, 3 to 4 hrs.).

Day 4

We hike gently across the Shira Plateau with possible side trips to the Shira Cathedral. We camp at Shira Two for dinner and overnight. (3,849m/12,628ft, 5 to 6 hrs hike)

Day 5

We head east, where the route crosses the Shira Plateau to Shira Cathedral, a massive buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. Enjoy the views of Mt Meru ‘suspended’ above the clouds on our approach to Shira Hut 2. Shira is where the Lemosho route joins the south circuit trekking route. Dinner and overnight camping (3,840m/12,598ft, 4 to 5 hrs.).

Day 6

We continue hiking on a rocky and rugged eastward path (resulting from lava ridges) to ascend to the base of the Lava Tower for lunch (4,630m/15,190ft, 5 to 6 hrs.). We use the ascent to aid acclimatization. From the Lava Tower, there is a 680m/2,230ft descent to reach Barranco campsite (3,950m/12,958ft, 2 to 3hrs). The camp sits in a valley below the Western Breach and Great Barranco Wall.

Day 7

The route starts on steep rock steps and a scramble up Barranco Wall (which is more comfortable than it looks) to top out just below the Heim Glacier. You descend through scree and ridges to the campsite at Karanga Valley for overnight. (5 to 6 hrs., 4000m) to help acclimatization.

Day 8

From the Karanga Valley, the trail ascends the ridge before reaching the campsite at Barafu Hut, (3 to 4 hrs., 4600m).

Day 9

The final ascent is started around midnight while the scree is still frozen. There is a steep climb to Stella Point (5,725m - 6 to 7 hrs.). The route then flattens along the crater rim for the final stage, to reach the ice-capped summit. We will achieve the summit at Uhuru Peak (5,895m) in  1 to 2 hrs. After a short celebration on the roof of Africa (it is too cold to linger) we begin the descent to return to Barafu for breakfast and a quick nap before heading down the trail to Mweka campsite (3100m, 11 to 13 hrs. total hiking time).

Day 10

After an early and well-deserved breakfast, we hike 4 to 5 hours through a beautiful rainforest to Mweka National Park gate. We check out of the National Park and load up our vehicle for the return trip to Moshi and our hotel.

Celebration Team Dinner - distribution of summit certificates.

Day 11

Celebration at local school and center where we support special needs children and programs (Moshi, Tanzania) and other activities around Moshi (shopping, etc.). Transfer back to the USA or onto another activity within Tanzania.

Notes: Program led by Tony Monaco (Director of Autism Beyond Borders). We can also help arrange any side trips, safaris, Zanzibar visit, etc. for before or after the climb.

Fundraising Goal set at $5,000 to cover all on the ground costs NOT including international airfare.