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September 21, 2017 / runningforthegate

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← Loving Vila Do Conde

Adventures

Arran Coastal Way
Camino Frances Spain
Camino Portuguese Coastal
Coast to Coast Path
Cotswold Way
Gros Morne Mountain National Park
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

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

The amazing Osprey Backpack fixed and ready to roll again!

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

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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.

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

Mawenzi Tarn Hut – we have arrived!

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

Hiking Goatfell, Scotland 2014

Lone Cone view over Clayoquot Sound, Tofino British Columbia

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!

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

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

Westridge Park – Wolf Willow Stairs, Edmonton Alberta

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

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

1 More Sleep!

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.

Day 3 Breakfast Spread!

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

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

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

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This makes me happy – Kili water for Kili!

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)

Altitude sickness UP ahead .. or is it?

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

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.

Mount Kilimanjaro, Rongai Route on the moon!

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

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

Uruhu Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro

Kikilewa Camp – amazing day 3 sunrise!

Kikilewa Camp – breakfast above the clouds!

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

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

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

Getting our project management geek on!

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

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

The trail, under that mess of logs!

Happy and dirty boots and socks post Grind!

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Our troop with Kilimanjaro calling ahead.

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.

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

St. Mark’s Summit trail terrain.

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

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

The easy parts of the upward slog on Lone Cone.

Camino Sign Post

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!

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.

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

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!?

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!

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

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

Acclimatization hike above Mawenzi Tarn Hut Camp!

Rongai Route – trekker made trail markers!

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Day 4/7 The Saddle

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)

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

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

Danger tape as a trail markers.

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

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

Caution Cougar in Area

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

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

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

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

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Bear Sightings In the Area!

Monkey going for the Monkey Gland chips!

Mount Kilimanjaro from Kikilewa Camp

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

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

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

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Kikilewa Camp Sunrise – Wow!

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

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

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

Our furry loved one, Lady Jane! #jackrusselllove

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

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

Day 2 Davison Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro Honeymoon!

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

BCMC Trail – Lance and Matty slogging it up!

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

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

Asolo boots are gonna rock this trek!

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

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

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

Lana Rae and Brande Keen Sandals

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I Amsterdam!

Second Cave, Day 2 Rongai Route Lunch Stop

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

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