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September 20, 2017September 20, 2017 / runningforthegate

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← Tourists Dressed as Pilgrims

Adventures

Arran Coastal Way
Camino Frances Spain
Camino Portuguese Coastal
Coast to Coast Path
Cotswold Way
Gros Morne Mountain National Park
Kerry Way
Local Love (BC and Alberta, Canada)
Mount Kilimanjaro and Africa
Newfoundland Without a Toe(nail)
Offa’s Dyke Path
Scotland Ways x3
Speyside Way
This and That
UK National Trails or Bust
West Highland Way

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Running for the Gate Photos

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Mawenzi Tarn Hut – we have arrived!

Sections of the trail were or had the potential to be really muddy, the Parks board did a great job of putting in these rough wooden walk ways to persevere the ground and keep people on the path.

Us at the top – quick pic, snack and on our way back down.

Getting our project management geek on!

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Mount Kilimanjaro, Rongai Route on the moon!

Mount Kilimanjaro, just over there on the other side of the saddle …

Kikilewa Camp – 8:15am ready to start hiking!

What fits in this laundry basket can be compressed and fit into my 35L Osprey Backpack of awesome.

Mount Kilimanjaro from Kikilewa Camp

One of many breaks on Day 2, Rongai Route from Simba Camp to Kikilewa Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro

BCMC Trail – Lance and Matty slogging it up!

Damage from a recent big storm was obvious in a few spots. Looking up you could see a tree broken in the middle but balancing still on its base.

Lana and Brande with Asolo boots that have and will see a lot of Kili-meters.

The amazing Osprey Backpack fixed and ready to roll again!

Hiking Goatfell, Scotland 2014

Hailey, Brande and Lana (left to right) the ladies of our 7 person Mount Kilimanjaro team!

Bear Sightings In the Area!

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Lana-Rae and Brande on our 2006 Scotland and Ireland adventure.

Lana Rae and Brande Keen Sandals

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These boots and pack are going to be on an African mountain top!

Sorting out the toiletries for Africa touring, for Kilimanjaro climbing and our medical kits for the mountain and in general

The Trekking Guide to Africa’s Highest Mountain by Henry Stedman, Trailblazer Publications

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Its dinner time – wow this is better than home (I really need to stop serving Lance cereal or toast for supper)!

Lone Cone view over Clayoquot Sound, Tofino British Columbia

We did it, first day under our belt – all smiles as we arrive at Simba Camp!

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So proud of myself, I couldn’t resist a top of Lone Cone Mountain selfie!

1 More Sleep!

The stairs looming from across the river valley – sweat and steps here we come!

Second Cave, Day 2 Rongai Route Lunch Stop

School Huts Camp, Rongai Route our base camp for two nights and our summit attempt

After our very rainy, hail and hell afternoon we were pretty excited to spot our 2nd night camp, Kikilewa Camp, in the distance.

Westridge Park – Wolf Willow Stairs, Edmonton Alberta

Mawenzi Tarn Hut Camp – our humble homes overnight Day 3!

Day 4 of 7 a pic here of our almost complete crew as we get started on our decent down and across the saddle.

Day 2 Davison Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro Honeymoon!

Monkey going for the Monkey Gland chips!

Everyday we followed Felix the Assistant Guide as he slowly (pole) lead us up and down the mountain – he was kinda a blue shelled Ninja Turtle in my opinion!

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The crew starting out at the beginning of the Rongai Route through farmland and planted forests with lots of dust soon to be kicked up.

The trekking troop on Day 2, Rongai Route path from Simba Camp to Kikilewa Camp.

The view from the second view point ( I think ) was pretty great. We took a 10 min break and had some snacks before pushing on. (Lance and his PB/J sammy)

When in Rome (Amsterdam) do as the Romans do (Dutch do) and take photos in an oversized clog!

Kikilewa Camp – amazing day 3 sunrise!

Day 3 Breakfast Spread!

Asolo boots are gonna rock this trek!

Kikilewa Camp – breakfast above the clouds!

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I had heard that some hikers found it hard to find the trail in spots and with these itty bitty markers I can see why!

My first long distance walk abroad that got me started on finding walks all over the world and started my feet punishment.

Terrain on St. Mark’s Summit Trail a little muddy but that makes it even more fun.

Day 4 of 7 Rongai Route walking through the saddle past what is left of a plane crash from years ago.

St. Mark’s Summit trail terrain.

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Our furry loved one, Lady Jane! #jackrusselllove

Eagle Barge Pub, Invergarry, Scotland – walking the Great Glen Way with my sister!

Danger tape as a trail markers.

My lovely, amazing, best ever Asolo boots of awesome.

The include is getting fun now, shortly after this section we were in full blown switch backs with scrambling sections. (Brande)

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What a sight! Our sleeping tents and the dining tent in the distance. It was so exciting to see what our little homes would look like for the week.

Lana and me, ready to trek and so excited to document our travels

I Amsterdam!

Rongai Route – trekker made trail markers!

On the train from Dublin to Drogheda on one of our first adventures.

Camino Sign Post

A fun log bridge over a mushy creek on the back side of the trail.

Uruhu Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro

Altitude sickness UP ahead .. or is it?

Rongai Route, Mount Kilimanjaro – Day 2 views from the path leaving Simba Camp.

Day 4/7 The Saddle

Caution Cougar in Area

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The trail, under that mess of logs!

The growing pile of gear – waiting in Kilimanjaro Corner for our departure.

Wish I would have enjoyed this part of the trail a little more, it was so gentle compared to the rest of the harsh incline and decline we came across. (Scott, Matt and Lance ahead)

The saddle and that there is our trail, across the plain and to the right is our next camp School Huts

Before walking through the saddle you had to walk up and over a few summits – these felt huge!

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Everything you need for 4 weeks in a 65 litre pack? No problem!

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Saint Mark’s Summit sign – found at the top 10,000 steps up, 1370m elevation and 6.5km up the trail.

My tired feet dangling off the side of the dock as I waited for my water taxi back to Tofino.

My day pack for Mount Kilimanjaro which will also be my carry on for the plane .. with post it notes for items I still need to add. Nothing to memory!

The amazing Osprey Backpack broken – “noooo, not my backpack?” she yells to the universe.

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Our first steps on the trail, Day 1 Rongai Route, just us climbers and 30+ crew members carrying their gear and ours.

Two things they take very seriously here … Cheese and Nutella! Waffle with Nutella and vanilla ice cream? Yes please!

Heading out after our first break on Day 2 Rongai Route – I was quite excited about being on this trek, can you tell?

Notice to All Kilimanjaro Climbers. Not sure what scared me more – the grammar or some of the dire warnings.

This makes me happy – Kili water for Kili!

Asolo boots and SmartWool socks of amazingness .. liner socks MIA.

Mr. and Mrs Davison started out on our Mount Kilimanjaro, Rongai Route Honeymoon!

Rongai Route, Mount Kilimanjaro – the ups and downs of the path on Day 2, Rongai Route

The easy parts of the upward slog on Lone Cone.

Rongai Route, Mount Kilimanjaro – head Guide Leo trying to understanding why Lana was wearing a pair of boots and also carrying a pair of shoes!?

Kikilewa Camp Sunrise – Wow!

Water Taxi to Meares Island with Lone Cone Mountain straight ahead.

Acclimatization hike above Mawenzi Tarn Hut Camp!

Our troop with Kilimanjaro calling ahead.

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Mushroom, loads of goat cheese (they take their cheese very seriously here), tomatoes and ham pancake thing of yummy dinner; with som yummy Dutch beer.

Happy and dirty boots and socks post Grind!

The view from the start of the Gondola down from the peak of Grouse Mountain.

Lance (husband), Brande (me) and Matt (stunt double) from left to right at the top of the BCMC

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