5 Day at Mbare Farm

We started the day with a made to order omelet breakfast followed by Wilson, the Mbahe Farm manager, briefing us on the climb.  Wilson described the itenerary and route, suggested a few places to see and things to avoid doing.  We should make sure we see cathedral towers and avoid climbing lava tower, because of it's erosion.  Then a three hour hike up and down slippery semi-steep terrain through the village, the Merangu Gate and Mbahe Waterfall.  We returned from the hike, were served a full lunch at 2:30, and were told to meet back at 5:30 for an even bigger dinner.  In between meals, we had an inspection of our gear, followed by a weighing of the gear bag inside the big green army bag the porters carry it in.  John and I both, with some adjustments, easily hit the 16 kilogram maximum.  The reason we needed to eat so early was so we could clear out of the area and make way for the returning New Zealanders, who had a successful ascent.  After climbing the mountain you are invited to a post climb party with some of the porters and your guides.  Tomorrow we head out early and travel 3-5 hours to Simba Farm, which is an advanced base camp.

Wilson illustrating the Western Breach trail in detail by memory.

The view from the dining area at Mbahe Farms.

Mbahe Waterfall.

Rotarians do good work and this makes me want to join, like Pompi.

Happy kids.

Michelle & John and the Merangue Gate.

Michelle, Allison, Otis, Amy, Wilson, Melissa and Kaylee at the briefing.