Thanks for a fun post and please say hi to Eddie for me.

I find it fantastic that my initial interview with Roberta for this blog has generated so much interest and so many questions. I have stayed on the sidelines until now but wanted to give you the official Zephyr Adventures’ scoop.

First off, for those of you booked with us or planning to join us on Kili in 2010 or 2011, we will send you a complete Pre-Departure Packet after you register. This will include a packing list. Roberta’s tips about layering and using synthetic materials are all accurate. She is right that we won’t need helmets on the Zephyr trip because we are not doing the breach.

Second, I would like to address Linda’s comment on pricing. I have had this question before. I personally spent weeks interviewing and discussing with various local operators to pick what I thought was the best choice for both our Kilimanjaro climb and our post-climb safari. There is a vast difference in local operators and reputation – both with individual travelers and with other US tour operators – is important. We have two excellent separate operators, one for the climb and one for the safari.

Pricing does vary dramatically for Kili climbs. One big variation is the route up the mountain, so make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Beyond that, there are a few local operators who try to cut corners but these operators are quickly removed from the market. Most operators in Tanzania are good. There are other operators who add in extra details to make the climb a “luxury” climb – and you will pay a lot for those additional details. I don’t think it is necessary to pay high dollar for details that don’t affect your overall experience.

Realistically, you need to figure that each outfit also has a different required profit margin. We put our money into our tours, which is why of the nine people booked on our January 2010 Kili climb, all nine are alumni of previous Zephyr trips. What we don’t do is require a huge profit margin to cover our admin expenses or profit for investors. It allows us to price our trips reasonably. This same theory holds true for a biking trip in Europe – you can pay 2X as much to some operators for a similar trip.

Keep up the questions! I am sure Roberta isn’t tired of answering them yet.

I did ck out both the warrior site & Zephyr. I am wondering why the later is offering the climb for less than ½ of warriors, when it is quite explicit on not to ever cut costs with such a dramatic trek? I have requested more info from Zephyr to compare the details. (I luv their climb & safari package).

Meanwhile, I will ck-out my local REI store & ask reps also for their expert advice on equipment & clothing. (then troll ebay & craigslist!) I think a silk bag liner would be great if renting .

SO now the biggest task of them all: saving the money to be able to accomplish this very expensive dream! that is my biggest hurdle now! Whew!

I appreciate all your input! Thanks so much! Hoping to hike the grand canyon @ xmas

If Zephyr had this trip last year, there would have been no question I would have traveled with them. But this being the first year, we traveled with Kiliwarriors. The key is having guides that have done the trek many times before. Usually the guides are porters for years before they train to be guides. For us, there really were all pros, no cons. Everything was taken care of for us, and the entire time we felt very much “cocooned” and safe. I’m sure you will have the same with Zephyr, as that is how I have always felt on the 4 other trips I took with them and the one to Spain I have booked for next summer.

My friends cousin did the trek the same time of year you are, and loved it. We were in the “dry season”, their winter, so the weather was pleasant in Arusha but on Safari, it was even a bit chilly. You will be there in Tanzanian summer, so I am sure the weather will be glorious. It does get rather cold as you go up!

I paid extra for a personal porter so my daypack was carried by him, I carried my hydration backpack only, which holds 2 liters and has room for some extras plus my camera. My brother carried his own, and so he put his hydration pack inside his day pack and snaked the hose out. He carried about 4 liters in there, plus incidentals like light rain gear, lip balm, snacks etc. His weighed about 15lbs. Mine about 5. Only when he was climbing over the breech, which you are going around not over, did he feel the extra weight and one of the porters helped him out. The water was filtered with hand pumps every single day by the porters. They collected it from the water stream and even had to melt ice as we hit crater zone. Not one person on our tour had any problems with the water.

I have waterproof Timberland boots with Gore tex. They were fantastic. I wore them for 4 months every time I walked. I recommend anything that is comfortable for you. Everyone will be different. The Northface fleece is fantastic and really did the job keeping the warmth in. I did treat myself to a Marmite super light down jacket that folds to nothing and is super warm.

We left absolutely everything in the hotel that did not belong on the trek. It was there for 9 days and when we got back, it was all in perfect condition. Our guides came the day before and we had to lay all our stuff out on the bed for the trek. It all went in the duffel or daypack depending on the needs.

Tips regarding thing to pack: mini pre-pated toothbrushes (sounds great!), energy snacks and gum-yes, deodorant-definitely!!! (not a lot of showering up there), tissue/toilet paper-yes, hygiene items, (face wipes, body wipes, panti-liners(that was a suggestion after that I wish I had!!), suncreen- 30+, DEET insect repellent, chapstick or natural shea butter, organic camping shampoo, journal extra pens, fleece socks to keep batteries warm at the top. Extra items like socks and hats etc. to give to the guides, too.

I rented helmet for the breech, headlamp, duffel, sleeping bag and poles. Up to you to buy if you will use again sooner than later.

We went to Ngorongoro Crater which was brilliant and teeming with wildlife, as was Lake Maynara too. Both different and yet a bit of the same. The elephants tusks were the noticeable difference. The salt deposits in the crater make for really long tusks. The ones in Manyara were much shorter. We booked through the same tour company for the safari too. They have it as an add-on.

We had 3 nights in Arusha before the climb and 1 night after before heading to safari. We stayed at Sopa lodge on the Northern edge of the Crater. I think 2 full days and nights in the beginning would be perfect.

Thanks for letting me relive the trip. It’s amazing how long we planned for it, and how 4 months have now passed since I am home. It truly was the experience of a lifetime!!

Best,
Roberta