Daniel Fedosenko's Trek to KiliamanJaro

Mission accomplished. Just back from Summiting Mt Kilimanjaro. I’ve included in this post my best memories out of all my pics as well as a daily summary for those interested. If you’d like to see all the daily summaries and pictures feel free to look at on my personal feed. Enjoy!
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DAY 1: LEMOSHO GATE – BIG TREE CAMP ON JANUARY 14/2024
We arrived at the main check in area. There were lots of groups present as January is the best month to Summit Mt Kilimanjaro. Both myself and my new friend Godfrey 29 years old a local Tanzanian climbing the mountain his first time proceeded to the lunch area. Our team prepared an amazing hot meal and served us way too much food. Can you say food coma? My lady Nikki knows what I mean. Ha ha! It was an amazing first meal at the mountain before we started. See all the food pics.
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As I sat there with Godfrey I started to get to know him as a local young 29 year old man from Tanzania right in Moshi. A accountant trained in university for his familes business. A local hotel I’m actually staying at as well as a hardware store/electronics store and of course a local farm.
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Our first leg of the trek was up to Big Tree Camp. Our Guides Onesmow and Gewa led us up a trail meandering through a very lush green rainforest. Maintianing an acclimatization pace. The rain forest was full of birds sounds. It was only 5 km’s so it went by very quickly and we were done in two hours and then we arrived at Big Tree Camp and our porters had set up the camp before we got there. I’m amazed on how fast our porters are carrying two times if not three times the weight of us with great ease it seems and always with a smile on their face when you say Jambo Jambo! (Hello hello) Thing is even with the 30lb pack I had on I still wouldn’t be able to keep their pace. These men and some women too are incredibly strong and fit.
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We were not far from camp when a young Tanzanian man came asking both myself and Godfrey for our backpacks. Our guide Onesomow said it’s Tofilli he’s come to make it easier for us to reach camp. That was so nice I thought. Blown away. If anyone knows me I have to do it on my own under my power. I thanked him much and said it is ok I must do under my own power as you guys are already carrying my other gear.
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The one thing about Big Tree Camp we found out right away was there are a lot of big black ants and small ants as well that like to climb and bite. So if you ever come make sure your pants are tucked into your socks, or you have gators on and so forth tight so they don’t get in your pants and up your legs and bite. Literally if you stand still for a moment or two, they will be right on you. They were nests all over the place. See the video for both mine and Godfrey’s ant dance.
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They got me a few times, but I got them very quickly and that was the end of them. You had to make sure your door was closed to your tent as well or they’d will get in. When I came back to my tent after dinner, everything looked really good, and I started to get changed and so forth and sat down on my mattress And took off my shorts and changed into my pyjamas and noticed there was a huge black ant with huge pinchers attached to the back of my shorts. I tried to pull them off and it was very difficult but I did manage eventually to break him free. LOL Also take note when you put your pants on in the morning. Make sure you give them a good shake. I didn’t do that and then next thing you knew I had a biting sensation on my leg right away that I felt and I grabbed my pants and squeezed real hard and got him. That was the end of that. I did a real good job, shaking my shoes out. When I put them on outside of my tent, the coast was clear, and we were off on the next leg of the adventure.
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No rain
Exertion level 3/10 30lb pack
Trekking Time: 2 hours
Distance: 5 km (1 Abby Grind rough equivalent distance and elevation for those that have done it I always gauge everything against the Abby Grind.)
Altitude Gain: 454 m.
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DAY 2: FROM BIG TREE CAMP TO SHIRA HUT 1 FOR LUNCH THEN SHIRA 2 FOR CAMP JANUARY 15/2024
In the morning first thing at 600am Simon our waiter greets me at my tent with fresh coffee. Just the way I like it. He knows already how I take it strong with honey. From there we pack up our personal items and are sent off after a big breakfast. See my picture for the meals. They are amazing! Definitely 5 star.
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Leaving the forest from Big Tree Camp we spotted a Blue Monkey right away. We were on the trail and he was 5’ off the trail eating. See my video.
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The trail gets steeper as it enters the moorland zone towards the valley. A gentle grade walk takes you across the high altitude Shira Caldera past Shira Cave (views of Arrow glacier) at 3500 m and then gently downwards to Shira Hut 1 located near a stream on the Shira Plateau. Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. Yes I’d agree day 2 is a challenging one as you are competing 2 legs of the trek at once when doing the 7 day Lemosho trek. The 8 day Lemosho Trek would be much less strenuous for those that are inquiring. That’s a suggestion.
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As we approached camp once again there was Tofilli with a big smile on his face asking for my pack. I said thank you but please take my guides pack Onesmow’s. He did so. I was happy as Onesmow was carrying a few things of mine from the start as he didn’t want me to burn out. He then guided us to our camp as sometimes it can be hard to find. I then nick named him Camp Guide. He smiled and loved it.
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No rain
Level of exertion 7/10 still had some fuel in the tank. But I was glad it was over. LOL.
Trekking Time: 8 hours
Distance: 15 km (3 Abby Grind’s roughly equivalent distance)
Altitude Gain: 1230 m
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DAY 3: FROM SHIRA HUT 2 TO LAVA TOWER 7km’s FOR HOT LUNCH THEN TO BARRANCO CAMP
JANUARY 16/2024
Traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach to reach Barranco camp (3900 m). It was a slow steady climb to Lava Tower to acclimate. Which was fine for me. Much nicer than the prior day.
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We had a nice lunch at Lava Tower served by our waiter Saimon a very gentle soft young man. Looks like our Chef Mathew outdid himself again. Every meal we are served is amazing for being out on a mountain.
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The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600 m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of “walk high, sleep low” to avoid altitude sickness by aiding our bodies in acclimatization. Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. Traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach to reach Barranco camp (3900 m). The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600 m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of “walk high, sleep low” to avoid altitude sickness by aiding your bodies in acclimatization.
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We approached camp and there again was Tofilli asking for our packs. We had actually just reached the Ranger station to sign in so I said it is ok and I gave him my pack. He took mine and Godfrey’s. After we signed in we walked about 200 meters to our camp over technical rocky terrain.
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When we arrived at camp our team had finished setting up everything so I had Godfrey assist me in giving out 18 Coffee Crisps and a bunch of dark chocolate to the team to enjoy. They were so happy and appreciative. Such humble and hardworking people. I recognized Tofilli and gave him 2 extra Coffee Crisps he smiled big and put them in his pocket.
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30 mins light rain
Felt great at a level of exertion for 3/10. Also so far I was happy no altitude sickness. Our guides were happy. It’s a good indicator for the coming days when we go up to 5895m or 19,341 ft.
Trekking Time: 6hrs
Distance: 10 km (Just under 2 Abby Grind’s equivalent elevation)
Altitude Gain: 724m
DAY 4 BARRANCO CAMP- KARANGA VALLEY JANUARY 17/2024
We started the day by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a big ravine. Crossing over a nice stream then a bridge with more rushing water before the climb. There was some traffic but nothing too serious. It was a very fun climb. Porters would be passing us often using the main trail and also using some side more technical routes. I’d keep seeing the other routes I’d like to climb and mention to Onesmow and Gewa our guides. That is the white mans route I’d say. We go there. They laughed and said dad we stay safe and stay on the main trail. I’m like but man that is what we do in Canada we pick a line and scramble up. It is good. Ha ha. I kept them on their toes a lot as I was full of energy. But they liked it. They played along. They also loved all my questions. I often kept pointing to faint paths white mans route. Sometimes they obliged me other times not so much.
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Then we exited steeply, up what has been termed the Breakfast Wall, which divides you from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It is a climb over rocks, although not technical. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, head ingtowards the Karanga Valley (4000 m) overnight. When we arrived to the fast easy climb sections and we were behind some folks and he looked at me I’d motion that way that way. Ha ha! When I did run in front of Gewa to tease him I’d stop and give him and Godfrey as well as Onesmow some energy gummies. They liked it. We arrived at noon to camp and relaxed the rest of the afternoon and had a nice lunch.
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At the end of the night we had our nightly briefing as usual. They take turns each night. Gewa did his usual serious opening and I just busted out laughing hysterically non stop then shortly everyone just couldn’t stop laughing. It was after that both Gewa and Onesmow said to us we have been their most fun and enjoyable clients ever.
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60 mins rain while we rested in our tents
Exertion lever 1/10
Trekking Time: 4 hours
Distance: 5 km (1 Abby Grind rough equivalent elevation)
Altitude Gain: 440m
DAY 5: KARANGA VALLEY - BARAFU CAMP ON JANUARY 18/2024
The day is characterized by a short 4km 620m alpine hike on terrain formed by scree to get to base camp. Walkthrough arid land towards Barafu Camp (4600 m), where we had the entire afternoon to rest before ascending towards the summit starting around midnight.
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Take notice in the base camp photos the angle of many of the tents. Getting a flat spot for your tent to sleep on is becoming harder and harder.
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Once the team was settled in I went around gave them all popcorn one of my favourite snacks back home as my lady Nikki will tell you. They all loved the popcorn. I am finally starting to memorize all 12 of the teams names. Takes a bit.
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The team is all so strong at carrying the weight and speed they go. I’ve been watching them. I selected the 2 strongest guys and led them to the dining tent and we sat down one by one and we arm wrested. (Watch the vids for the outcome.). After that my lead guide said he wants me to rest even though more of the team wanted to arm wrestle the white man. LOL. Tomorrow Tofilli and Onesmow want there chance.
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30 mins moderate rain while we rested in our tents.
Exertion level 1/10
Trekking Time: 3 hours
Distance: 4 km (1 Abby Grind rough equivalent distance/elevation 1.5x)
Altitude Gain: 628 m.
DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP - UHURU PEAK - MILLENNIUM CAMP ON
JANUARY 19/2024
We avoid walking too long in the heat of the sun today by starting around midnight, walking steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We spent 5 to 6 hours climbing scree gaining incredible height over a short distance. We were 2kms in of 5kms up and I was finding it very easy. Then shortly thereafter my body started breaking down as we climbed higher and higher I needed more breaks to catch my breath. Coupled with the blizzard we were going through and the extreme cold it was still cutting through my 7 lavers over my core and getting to me. We finally reached Stella Point (5750m) after that it was only 1 km but that would be another hour at altitude. normally I’d run that in 5 mins. Hard to comprehend but until you experience it, it can be hard to explain. I slowly made the final trek in with my guides encouraging me like it was nothing for them. They had already switched out one set of batteries out of my gloves to keep my hands warm as they froze because I lent my expedition down gloves to Godfrey who didn’t have the correct gloves at all. I couldn’t have that. By doing that my hands froze in the short time it took me to get them from my bag and take his and put them on him with hot shots.
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We finally reached the summit had a quick celebration and a few quick pictures then we journeyed back. Uhuru (5896 m), the highest point; Uhuru means freedom in Swahili. From there once we approached Stella Point the views were spectacular. Spectacular ice cliffs within the Crater surround you, and the views to Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking.
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Heading back down the mountain was fast at 2.5 hours. Crazy but myself and Gewa were quite quick going down the snow and loose gravel/dirt/sand. Lots of sliding surprisingly we kept our balance and didn’t fall. I forgot my Microspikes back at camp. But I had my hiking poles and that was enough for me.
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When we arrived back at camp my body was already shutting down as I had expelled all my energy to get to the top and then back down. I collapsed into my tent and Dola one of the team came over and insisted on taking my boots off me and 2 of my 3 layers of pants I had on so I could go to sleep for a few hours before we packed up and were to go down to a lower camp.
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Siamon came to my tent 3x waking me up to pack up and each time I couldn’t move. Finally unwillingly I slowly packed up and got my things together to make the descent. My guides Onesimo and Gewa knew I had no energy so they carried my back pack down as well as their own. I was spent it was very humbling for me to need help carrying my pack but I didn’t have energy. It’s normal for me after a big hike my body usually shuts down as it’s burnt out so it didn’t surprise me. It was another 4kms to the next came through technical downhill terrain. The team knew I was shot so as soon as they got to camp they set my tent up right away and I crashed in my tent and again Dola was right there helping me. I told the crew no dinner for me tonight. I’ll see you in 12 hours. It was about 400pm. They checked in on me a few times and offered me hot tea and pineapple which I ate over the course between wake ups.
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When I woke up in the morning I felt like a new man and I was ready to hammer out the last 12kms out to the main gate. The whole team was surprised how I bounced back after a good rest.
Trekking Time: 13 hour day
Distance: 11 km (Abby Grind rough equivalent/elevation 3x)
Altitude Gain: 1296 m
MILLENNIUM CAMP – MOSHI ON 20TH JANUARY 2024
A gentle trek takes you down through the rainforest to the Mweka Gate where you will complete park formalities, you will be met by our vehicles, and receive your certificate of ascent courtesy of the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority. After that, drive back to Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a well-earned shower and a cold beer or two.
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We had a very technical and muddy descent. There were literally a 1000 opportunities to hurt yourself on the descent. Very tricky. As I was much faster going downhill our guides broke us up and Gewa indulged me and we went porter speed. Which was much faster than what people typically do. We were passing many people on the way down including porters. Of course they were carrying more weight than myself but we still gave it our all. Porters were smiling as we went and our team cheered us on.
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We finished up at the park gate 1hr and 45 mins ahead of the rest of our group. It was a great workout. My guide Gewa took my boots as they were just coated in mud and he had them cleaned by the local boot washers. They came back looking brand new. I was even happier. I looked them over and they were perfect.
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Our bus came and we were all happy as the driver pounded some great music. We all sang as we grooved! Was much fun with the new family on the mountain. I thanked them all for helping us reach our goals and showed much appreciation. Both myself and Godfrey aka Jr.
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Exertion 2/10
Trekking Time: 3 hrs
Distance: 12km
Altitude Loss: 2000m

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If you have any questions about this hike, reach out to Daniel Fedosenko. Thanks for reading... and thanks to Daniel for his guest blog post!