Tandahimba
Kilimanjaro Expedition 2006 text and photographs provided
by Brian Sterr
Teacher: Mr. Brian Sterr, 24
Boys: Likandapa Hassani, 17; Mambo Abdala, 19; Ramadhani N. Saidi, 15
Girls: Shamira Ali, 19; Ziada Ahmadi, 17; Zaituni S. Ajabu, 17; Fatuma
Saidi, 16; Paulina Sylvester, 16
The students were chosen based on essays they wrote about HIV/AIDS.
Originally there was another teacher planning to accompany us, but due
to unavoidable circumstances he was unable to come. The students then
brainstormed some different fund-raising options. We showed soccer matches
on the school TV, charging admission. We also planted a large vegetable
garden and sold the vegetables. We also bought many kilograms of maize,
with the intent to sell it after the price went up. In addition to the
projects, we also decided to run 3 days a week. These runs ranged between
3 and 6 miles. Our trip was planned for the end of November.
We started our trip from Tandahimba on the 16th of November. We got
on the bus from Tandahimba to Dar es Salaam via Mtwara. We arrived in
Dar around 9pm and spent the night in the bus station. The following
morning we got on the bus to Marangu, where the gate to Kilimanjaro
National Park is located. We arrived in Marangu at about 3:30pm and
were met by Ms. Emma Moye, who had arranged guides for us. They took
us to the house where we would be staying, a 10 minute walk from the
park gate.
On the 18th we went into Moshi town and met with Joel Boutin of MyWorld.
After meeting with him we went to the market to buy used clothes for
the kids as the climate in Tandahimba is hot and humid, considerably
different from the sub-zero temperatures on Kilimanjaro. We bought sweaters,
pants, and socks for each student. We also stocked up on some other
supplies, like flashlights, for the climb. Backpacks, boots, hats, sleeping
bags, and rain gear were borrowed from Ms. Emma Moye (from gear stored
at the Marangu Teachers' College).
On the 19th we embarked on our voyage from (6400ft), winding our way
up the mountain through the lower forest region to reach Mandara hut
(8900ft). The students were tired. They were not used to hiking up hills,
as the surrounding areas in Tandahimba are quite flat. They also weren't
used to carrying backpacks. We relaxed at the Mandara hut and also walked
up to the Maundi Crater and back. We spent much of our free time the
next few days playing "Last Card," a Tanzanian version of
Uno using a standard deck of cards.
On the 20th we continued up to Horombo hut (12300ft) through the Moorland
region, noting the change in environment as the altitude increased.
We reached Horombo hut and a few of the students were quite tired at
this point. The next day was spent at Horombo hut to acclimatize. We
didn't do much, since the weather was a little wet. We did make a short
trip up the hill to the zebra rocks.
On the 22nd we headed up to the last set of cabins at Kibo hut (15500ft)
located in the alpine desert region. At this point many of the students
were starting to feel the effects of the high altitude. After arriving
at 2pm, resting a bit, and eating, we turned in early. At 11pm we woke
up and had a bit of tea and then began the ascent to the summit at midnight.
Ramadhani decided to wait for us at the Kibo hut. We started out and
one by one the students dropped off and returned with the guides to
Kibo hut. Many of them made it at least half-way, but were suffering
from nausea, dizziness, headaches, vomiting, etc. They all went as far
as they possibly could and gave it their all. I don't think a single
one of them is disappointed in how far they made it. Mambo and Likandapa
made it to Gilman's Point, a mere 600 feet below the summit. Shamira
and I made it all the way to the summit at Uhuru Peak (19400ft) at 6:30am.
After reaching the summit, where, unfortunately, the clouds prevented
us from seeing much, we headed back down to Kibo hut. I reached the
hut at about 9am. After having a bit to eat and resting for a couple
hours, we packed up our gear and headed down to Horombo hut. At this
point the weather decided to change a bit. It was snowing at Kibo hut,
but that quickly turned to rain as we descended and we were thoroughly
soaked by the time we reached Horombo hut. At least the rain caught
us on the way down rather than the way up.
We finished the descent the next day, hiking down from Horombo hut,
past Mandara hut, to the house in Marangu where we stayed at the beginning
of our trip.
On the 25th, we hopped on the bus to Dar es Salaam. After arriving in
Dar on Saturday evening, the next possible tickets back to Tandahimba
were for the following Wednesday. So we spent 3 days in Dar at the house
of some relatives of my counterpart. Then on the 29th we got on the
bus to Tandahimba, arriving on the afternoon of the 30th.
My students were quite exhausted, but had experienced so much in such
a short time that I am sure they were still processing it for days.
They had an unforgettable time and really enjoyed their trip and will
enjoy telling their classmates about it once school starts up again
in January.
