CLIMBING MOUNT KILI
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Is climbing to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro on your bucket list? Same here.
Well, St. Lawrence University junior Lilli did the deed over Winter Break and can now brag at cocktail parties, in interviews, on dates and every chance she gets about the six day trek up and day and a half trip down “Kili”.
Did it take forever to get there? L: Four stops and about 32 hours later we made it to Nairobi! The group was 6 students and 2 professors from St. Lawrence.
Did you go straight to the base in Tanzania? L: We stayed in Nairobi to adjust to the time change and cultural differences for 3 nights. After that, we spent 2 nights in an amazing lodge in Arusha, Tanzania and then made it to Moshi, the base city for our climb.
How were the before and after looks of the trek? Did you stink? L: Kili literally kicked our butts! When we showed up to Moshi, all the locals were so excited to see us and smiled at our clean clothes, big ambitions and confidence. Upon our return, they definitely laughed at how ridiculously sunburned, wind burned, sore and unkempt we looked.
Anything surprise you? L:There was cell service at the summit! Our porter was texting people so casually as he went up the mountain and then at the top! Also, Obamas face was all over both countries. Umbrellas, T-shirts, posters and even boxers were plastered with his face. When we would say were from America, many people would reply “ohhh, Obama!”
