runningforthegate

crazy fun travel adventures

Skip to content

Home
20 Week Training Plan
Itineraries
Travel Tales: Experiences, Tips, and Laughs

Search

Search for:

cheers

Great Glen Way, Scotland (Eagle Barge Inn, Invergarry – a great pub on a boat right on the side of the canal/trail)

Like Loading...

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Δ

Search for:

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

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Email Address:

Join 376 other subscribers

Recent Posts

Coast to Coast Day 16 Egton Bridge to Robin Hoods Bay
Coast to Coast Day 15 Blakey Ridge to Egton Bridge
Coast to Coast Day 14 Clay Top Bank to Blakey Ridge
Coast to Coast Day 13 Ingleby Cross to Clay Top Bank
Coast to Coast Day 12 Danby Wiske to Ingelby Cross

Running for the Gate Photos

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!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Danger tape as a trail markers.

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

Kikilewa Camp – breakfast above the clouds!

Camino Sign Post

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

Mount Kilimanjaro, Rongai Route on the moon!

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

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

1 More Sleep!

Asolo boots are gonna rock this trek!

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

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.

I Amsterdam!

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

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.

The trail, under that mess of logs!

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

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

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Mount Kilimanjaro from Kikilewa Camp

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.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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

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

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

Our furry loved one, Lady Jane! #jackrusselllove

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

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The amazing Osprey Backpack fixed and ready to roll again!

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

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

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

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

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

Rongai Route – trekker made trail markers!

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

Kikilewa Camp – amazing day 3 sunrise!

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

BCMC Trail – Lance and Matty slogging it up!

Acclimatization hike above Mawenzi Tarn Hut Camp!

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!?

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

Getting our project management geek on!

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

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Bear Sightings In the Area!

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

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

This makes me happy – Kili water for Kili!

The easy parts of the upward slog on Lone Cone.

Our troop with Kilimanjaro calling ahead.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Uruhu Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro

Lana Rae and Brande Keen Sandals

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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

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

Altitude sickness UP ahead .. or is it?

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

Mawenzi Tarn Hut – we have arrived!

Day 2 Davison Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro Honeymoon!

Hiking Goatfell, Scotland 2014

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Day 3 Breakfast Spread!

Westridge Park – Wolf Willow Stairs, Edmonton Alberta

Caution Cougar in Area

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

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

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

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)

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Kikilewa Camp Sunrise – Wow!

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

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

Day 4/7 The Saddle

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

Monkey going for the Monkey Gland chips!

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

Happy and dirty boots and socks post Grind!

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.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

St. Mark’s Summit trail terrain.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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.

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

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

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

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

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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

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

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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

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

Lone Cone view over Clayoquot Sound, Tofino British Columbia

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Second Cave, Day 2 Rongai Route Lunch Stop

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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

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!

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

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

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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

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!

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

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

Follow runningforthegate on WordPress.com

Lets Socialize

View Brande L Davison’s profile on Facebook
View @BrandeDavison’s profile on Twitter
View @brandedavison’s profile on Pinterest

Archives

Lets Socialize!

View Brande L Davison’s profile on Facebook
View brandedavison’s profile on Pinterest

Start a Blog at WordPress.com.

Subscribe Subscribed
- runningforthegate
- Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.

Loading Comments...

Write a Comment...

Email (Required)

Name (Required)

Website

%d