The Nicholaus' met me in Arusha to work out the final details

At the trailhead - most of these people were headed up the Machame route - basically the same route as far as Lava Tower but a bit easier - traversing the mountain to Baranco Hut rather than ascending directly up via Arrow Glacier.

Thaddeus (my cook) carried almost all the camp gear, cooking supplies and food. Nevertheless, he managed to break camp, pack, pass me on the trail and set up a new camp long before I arrived.

Me at Lava Tower (~15,000 ft). Only our tents in the background! Everyone else on the route continued on to Baranco Hut.

Fred and I were feeling a bit restless on out "rest day" so we scrambled to the top of Lava Tower. You can see the clouds coming in, bringing plenty of ice and snow with it.

View of Mount Meru

Stephen- my guide

Thaddeus - my cook who was always happy

Dismas - my porter in this 2 -3 person EMS tent that 7 of us hung out in, chatting and playing cards during the storm.

Lava Tower about 3 hours after the snow-free picture above was taken.

Summit of Kilimanjaro - Because of the weather, we went to the summit a day earlier than planned. (The tour company, Good Earth, actually gave me a refund of the fee I paid for the extra day after I returned to Arusha!!!)

Glacier on descent