- Kilimanjaro Revisited -
Follow Orbie to view the Amazing Celebration that took place at the Park Gate when the GLOBE Xpedition came down off the mountain as well as Video of the Glaciers of Kilimanjaro
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Click on the Image Above to view Amazing Panoramic Photos of Kilimanjaro
Follow the disguised Orbie to view Dr. Kenji Narita's Photo collection of plants on Mt. Kilimanjaro
Questions & Photos
( Xpedition Members check out the web page and are encouraged
by the number of schools around the world that have signed on )Woodriver Elementary School - 6th grade How come there is permafrost in such a hot location? The conditions on Mt Kilimanjaro – high elevations, organic mat formation at the end of glacier moraines make it possible for permafrost to form. Dr. Sparrows / Xpedition Base Camp Member
Evan Neaves , Mrs. Podschelne's 8th period science class, Goliad, Tx, USA
What are the people like in Africa? They are as wonderful as in people other parts of the world. The people we have met are hospitable, happy and eager to show their country to visitors. They love to sing and dance.
Dr. Sparrows / Xpedition Base Camp Member
( Dr. Kenji Narita and Dr. Kenji Yoshikawa address
Xpedition Members prior to heading off to the mountain )
Extended Learning Class of fourth graders, Nordale Elementary, Fairbanks, Alaska
How many days will it take to get to the top?
We used seven days to climb, the eighth day we get to the top and going down on the same day. On day 9 we came down at the gate and celebrate the victory of going up to the top and coming back home safely.
Joseph / Alumni Xpedition Member
Zach Perry 4th grade Mount Vernon CSD, Mount Vernon, Iowa
How many miles do you plan to go each day?
We can’t estimate and arrange the miles to climb per day as the route sometimes goes up and down. For instance on the fifth day, we descended from Lava Tower (4600m) to Karanga Valley (3100m) then we ascended to the Karanga camp (3800m). We used to have short and long day, according to the route, so the miles are varying day to day. Joseph / Alumni Xpedition Member
( Head Guide Julius talks to the Xpedition Team about his expectations for the climb )
Extended Learning Class of fourth graders, Nordale Elementary, Fairbanks, Alaska
Do you get good rest? Yes, we used to have good rest in the evening and night. In the evening we used to relax, have story, singing and play sports if necessary, and in the night after precious dinner, everybody goes to his or her tent for sleeping around 9:00pm up to 12:00am in the morning.
Joseph / Alumni Xpedition Member
Blaise Anton 4th grade Mount Vernon CSD, Mount Vernon, Iowa
How much water do you have to carry? Every climber carried 2liters of water, which were refilled on the way, because we had to drink 5 liters per day
Joseph / Alumni Xpedition Member
One or two bottles of one litre each which will be refilled when they are finished. One have to drink at least 4 or 5 litres a day. Water was fetched from stream running down the mountain but at the Crater Camp cooks had to melt ice to get water. Edward / Alumni Xpedition Member
( Students and Alumni get last minute instruction
from Dr. Yule before heading off for the mountain )
Levi Shaw Forest Brook Middle School Houston Texas
Will the conditions coming down the mountain be the same as going up? No, they are different. When going up, we experienced coldness, dry air with less oxygen, clouds, snow falling in the evening, and it was tough to climb as compared to coming down which was simple, comfortable and body get relaxed even if the kneels had little pain. Remember: human body can acclimatize all these conditions, so it was funny. Joseph / Alumni Xpedition Member
No, it won’t. As one goes up the mountain, it gets colder and the air becomes thinner and colder. And as one goes down the mountain it becomes vice versa.
Edward / Alumni Xpedition Member
( Xpedition Members pack up and prepare to head off to the mountain )
Questions from GS-Pals:
What will the team do when they reach the top of Africa? What is the most dramatic difference between the summit and lower elevation biomes? Temperature? Vegetation? Oxygen? Thanks, GS-Pals Team USA Wow! Wonderful question on what we observed!!! At the top, we discussed the biomes in general with scientist, took pictures with our placards, and experience amazing God’s creation. We noticed that at the top, which is known as the ice cape, there are only few types of vegetation grown like mosses and short grasses while at the bottom there is a huge forest called rainforest zone; it has so many varieties of plants. Also it was very cold and the air was dry with less oxygen at the top as compared to the bottom where the temperature and air are normal for human being consumption.
Joseph / Alumni Xpedition MemberWe will observe the vegetation that would be around, glaciers, temperature and humidity at the Crater and the Ash Pit. But we actually saw very little vegetation we were unable to go to the Ash Pit as most of us were tired when we got at the Crater. Edward / Alumni Xpedition Member
( Before heading off into the rainforest, Xpedition members listen to Mary Kivaria, Tanzania's GLOBE Coordinator, talk about her first memories of Kilimanjaro, a local at age 7 )
( Xpedition Members head off into the Rain Forest )
Extended Learning Class of fourth graders, Nordale Elementary, Fairbanks, Alaska
Where are the mosquitoes that carry malaria? Mosquitoes would most likely be found at lower elevations such as the rainforest, where there are water puddles or moist soils available for laying their eggs and for their larvae to survive and develop. Mosquitoes that carry malaria parasite Plasmodium would most likely be where there are people who have had malaria.
Dr. Sparrows / Xpedition Base Camp Member
( Orbie gets a lift through the rain forest from Maciala )
( Xpedition members assist Dr. Kenji in the
set up and collection of his research data each day )
Extended Learning Class of fourth graders, Nordale Elementary, Fairbanks, Alaska
Are you having fun?Absolutely, the expedition was enjoyable as it comprised people from different cultures, it was great experience. Students, scientists and guests were from various countries like America, South Africa, Japan, Kenya, Tanzania, etc… Joseph / Alumni Xpedition Member
Yeah, it’s funny. The guides keeps us singing and with lots of stories, observing the mountain and much the whole group of wonderful people getting acquainted with them while climbing the mountain. It’s awesome! Edward / Alumni Xpedition Member
( Xpedition Members crossing the Shira Plateau )
( Mwasapi tries on some of the moss found on the trail, "a Good look")
Jaron Dillard Forest Brook Middle school Houston, Texas
How do you decide which students go on the expedition? Are they college students? What schools are involved in the selection process? Jaron, Great question, all students were GLOBE students and we were also lucky to have 3 GLOBE Alumni, students who attended a GLOBE school in the past. We hope to be able to open these type of expeditions up to GLOBE students from all over the world in the future. Keep your eyes open for an opportunity to join us.. Mike O’Toole / Xpedition Leader
Allison , from Steeple Run School, 5th grade in Naperville, Illinois, USA. You showed a picture of a tall glacier. There are bands of dirt in the middle of the glacier. We thought the dirt layer would be at the bottom. How does that happen? Glacier is made by accumulation of snow. We would have continuous snow fall in winter or wet season (no winter here in Kilimanjaro). But there is long absent of snow fall or some surface melting during dry season (or summer). This discontinues period, some dust, wind blown silt, volcanic ash, forest fire ash, etc could accumulate on snow. The later you can see dark structure in the glacier. Dr. Kenji / Xpedition Faculty Member
( Xpedition members work with Dr. Kenji on the Shira Plateau )
( Joseph explores a forest of Senecio trees in the Barranco Valley )
GraceAnn Howe, Mrs. Podschelne's 8th period science class, Goliad, Tx, USA
How is it possible to have six different biomes on one mountain? Biomes are determined by named according to types of plants that can grow depending on the geography, topography, latitude and elevation that results in certain climatic conditions. In terms of plant growing season, every 300 meter increase in elevation is roughly equivalent to moving poleward by 400-500 kilometers (about four to five degrees latitude). Hence as one moves through different elevations on Mt Kilimanjaro, it is not surprising that different biomes have developed. Dr. Sparrows / Xpedition Base Camp Member
Jorge Arellano Forest Brook Middle School Houston, Texas
What experiments did you do on the mountain and how did you choose them? No experiments exactly done by using scientific instruments other than measuring surface and underground temperature as we were climbing from the bottom. The expedition based on learning and observing the environment, seasons and biomes. We collected research questions from our group observations.
Joseph / Alumni Xpedition MemberWe observed different trends on the vegetation, temperature, soil and air from the stem of the mountain to the peak for getting the variables through which we prepared research questions for next year’s expedition.
Edward / Alumni Xpedition Member
( The Solar Pack used for charging all of the electronic gear on the trip )
( Tim & Mike near lava Tower )
Jessica, Mrs. Cushing's Class, Sonoran Science Academy, Tucson, AZ
What does it feel like to climb in the reduced oxygen environment? Like our guides kept saying Poli, Poli, Swahili for slowly, slowly…. The higher we went, the less oxygen available to breath… Actions that we wouldn’t even think twice about near sea level became very difficult due to the lack of oxygen. To give you one example, I remember waking up out of breath at Crater Camp. I then realized it was because I was tossing and turning from side to side in an attempt to get comfortable…. Mike O’Toole / Xpedition Leader
Jambo! from Nolan Bayers, age 6, St. Agnes in Louisville, Ky
What's the first thing you want to do or eat when you get back home? Africa was Amazing !!! Any time you get an opportunity to travel make sure you try the food, we did, very good but I sure was craving a cheeseburger. Just like one of favorite places to eat growing up, Kaelin’s, across from St. Agnes in Louisville, Kentucky, the birthplace of the cheeseburger….. Mike O’Toole / Xpedition Leader
( Akio and porters on a ridge at dusk )
( View of Camp at night with Kilimanjaro in the background )
Jambo! from Nolan Bayers, age 6, St. Agnes in Louisville, Ky We are enjoying reading your journal and hope you are having the time of your life. How do you find privacy now that the trees and shrubs are few? Are you sore after walking up for so long a time? Did you forget to bring something you wish you now had? Jambo Nolan!! Yes, we observed that the plants are few and we made a research question in order to do research on it. After research to be done, we will be able to explain our actions. We were not really bored by walking as we used to have break and there are so many funny things like singing, story, jokes, etc. That’s an adventure. About the equipments, we were well equipped. Joseph / Alumni Xpedition Member
I got sore when I was walking down the mountain because my boots get overtight! Yeah, I did. I wish I had brought an additional phone battery and MP3 player.
Edward / Alumni Xpedition Member
( Xpedition Students gather each night to answer
e-mails and work on their research questions )
Alysha Ali, 7th grade student, La Colina Jr. High School. What type of organisms do you find in the day? There are organisms that are there that we could not see. Microorganisms in the soil are hard to see without the microscope. We did see lichen on rocks. Lichens are usually and fungus and alga or a fungus and a cyanobacteria growing together. We can see the mats of lichens.
Dr. Sparrows / Xpedition Base Camp Member
Steven Koehne, Goliad, Tx, USA
How can Africa have snow when it is so close to the Equator? Africa can have snow even when it is right on the equator on the top of Mt Kilimanjaro where the temperatures get really cold, the clouds form and get heavy and precipitation in the form of snow occurs, because of the high elevation. Changes in elevation influences seasonal patterns and can affect the environment as much as changes in latitude. For every 150 meter increase in elevation, the temperature decreases about 1 degree C.
Dr. Sparrows / Xpedition Base Camp Member
( Team Members continue the push towards the summit )
Nick, 3rd Graders in Mount Vernon, Iowa
Are you going to camp on the Summit? Yes, on the seventh day we camped at Stella point beside glaciers, which is about 200m below the top of the Mountain. Joseph / Alumni Xpedition MemberWe will camp at the Crater which is 5700m a.s.m and sleep overnight . then the next morning we will summit. Edward / Alumni Xpedition Member
Issac from Nordale Elementary School, Fairbanks, Alaska
Will you have to use extra oxygen in tanks on the day you make the summit? No, we didn’t use any medication or extra oxygen. The mount Kilimanjaro does not need any mountaineering training or medication, it is real friendly. Joseph / Alumni Xpedition MemberWe won’t use extra oxygen. It’s used only when one of the expedition members got sick with altitude due to less oxygen levels present.
Edward / Alumni Xpedition Member
( Xpedition students assist Orbie with his cold weather gear )
( Mwasapi uses his artistic talents to further the Xpedition )
To View all of Mwasapi's sketches click on the image below
Forest Brook Middle school Houston, Texas How did the people that had to leave the expedition get back down the mountain? We were fortunate that we had plenty of guides and porters to make sure everyone was taken care of. One of our team members, lead by a guide, simply walked down off the mountain, the other was air lifted by a helicopter to basecamp.
Mike O'Toole / Xpedition leader
Liam, from Steeple Run School, 5th grade in Naperville, Illinois, USA. Have you had to use oxygen for your climbers yet? Our guides carried bottles of oxygen and one of our students used a little to catch their breath at the Crater Camp but other than that, on Kilimanjaro, oxygen is just used as a first aid option in emergency situations only. Mike O’Toole / Xpedition Leader
( Ntombikayise spending some "Quality Time" with Orbie )
Davette Polk Forest Brook Middle School Houston, Texas Has the topography of the mountain changed much since last year? The topography of the mountain hasn’t changed very much but what was noticeable was how much the glaciers have changed in just 15 short months. It was very evident to me that the ice of Kilimanjaro is retreating very, very fast. I would think that future GLOBE Xpeditions will notice even greater changes on future trips.
Mike O’Toole / Xpedition Leader
( One step in front of the other, above the clouds )
Mrs. Flores' 5th grade class Pecos, Texas Our teacher has collected rocks since she was a kid. We have a great collection in class. We saw some of the rocks in the pictures - Can you please describe the different kinds of rocks their - different colors, texture. What are they like? All rocks on the mountain are Igneous in nature but it was interesting to see the effects of weathering such as snow and rain as well as the effects of the glaciers on the rocks. If I’m not mistaken, Orbie put a surprise in the mail for you guys….. Also check out the panoramic pictures… The detail is incredible and you get a great look at some of the rocks on the mountain. Mike O’Toole / Xpedition Leader
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Click on the Image Above to view Amazing Panoramic Photos of Kilimanjaro
( Boulders on the trail )
Extended Learning Class of fourth graders, Nordale Elementary, Fairbanks, Alaska What would happen if someone on the trip got sick? What would you do about it? There is first aid provided by the guide. If it is serious sickness, he or she will be sent down for further treatment by using a chopper (helicopter) or Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC).
Joseph / Alumni Xpedition MemberWe have a guide who is medically trained, so he check the sick person and try to give him or her some medication. If the conditions doesn’t improve then he or she will be taken down the mountain for further medical help.
Edward / Alumni Xpedition Member
( Ntombikayise poses in front of Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s central vent )
Artur, from Steeple Run School, 5th grade in Naperville, Illinois, USA. Have you seen any large animals at high altitudes? Funny you should ask….. We didn’t see any large animals but at Moir Hut Camp we stopped to take a close look at the skull and bones of an elephant that was killed by poachers around 1980. It is amazing that such a big animal made it so far up the mountain around 4,100 meters, 13,661 feet. Was it looking for water or food or did it just possess the soul of an explorer? Mike O’Toole / Xpedition Leader
( Dr. Kenji and team collect data and continue to drill near Crater Camp )
Jane from Steeple Run School, 5th grade in Naperville, Illinois, USA. How do you keep warm as you get higher and higher? Layers, Layers, Layers !!!! The key to climbing Kilimanjaro is being prepared and taking off and putting on multiple layers of clothes during the day. Early in the morning it is very cold but by mid day you can easily get by in a short sleeve shirt. The most impressive part of this is that the plants that live on the mountain are resilient enough to put up with that every day. Mike O’Toole / Xpedition Leader
Kelynn, 4th Grade, Mrs. Cushing's Class, Sonoran Science Academy, Tucson, AZ
What will be the FIRST thing you do once you reach the summit? Will you jump up and down with joy? I certainly would! Absolutely !!!! It was an amazing feeling to reach the top of Africa, to achieve our goal and to share the journey not only with each member of the Xpedition Team but with everyone following, like yourself, around the world.
Mike O’Toole / Xpedition Leader
( Students explore the Ice of Kilimanjaro, and help
gather photographic evidence of the shrinking glaciers )
Follow Orbie below to view a video of the Glaciers of Kilimanjaro and Uhuru Peak from the 2009 GLOBE Xpedition
( Select the file format below )
( Sea of clouds covering east Africa from Kilimanjaro )
Questions from IS 93 6th grade students: Samantha, Alexandra, Steven and Jason
What's your favorite and most interesting part of the expedition so far? Being at the highest point of the Africa and experience God’s creation at the top of mount Kilimanjaro was the most interesting part of the expedition to me. Joseph / Alumni Xpedition MemberClimbing the Baranco Wall! How does it feel like to be on top of Mt. Kilimanjaro?Awesome and so marvelous! Edward / Alumni Xpedition Member
Extended Learning Class of fourth graders, Nordale Elementary, Fairbanks, Alaska How many pounds of supplies are being carried in for each climber? Each climber had to carry not more than 5kgs (2.5pounds) on his or her daypack, which contain rain jacket, water bottles, snacks, and simple carried stuffs. All other heavy goods were carried by porters.
Joseph / Alumni Xpedition Member
( Dr. Kenji, Mwasapi & John, one of our Guides, Above the Clouds )
Questions from IS 93 6th grade students: Samantha, Alexandra, Steven and JasonHow does it feel like to be on top of Mt. Kilimanjaro? We reached at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro around 10:00am, it was really splendid, and we saw the clouds below us and various amazing features. The weather was pretty good as we went to summit in the morning.Joseph / Alumni Xpedition Member
Nolan Bayers, age 6, St. Agnes in Louisville, Ky
You mentioned that you have a crew of 75 to help carry things, as you and your team use your supplies, do the porters turn back to base camp or continue to your destination?
Well, the porters go with us up to the last camp and they come back together with us. They don’t leave us alone. Joseph / Alumni Xpedition MemberMost of them continue for our destination, but occasionally some goes back to the base camp to replenish some supplies that might become short.
Edward / Alumni Xpedition Member
( GLOBE Xpedition Members at the Summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro )
Melvin Sacalxot Forest BrookMiddle School Houston,Texas
Do the same Scientist go to the mountain every year?
Yes, most of the case, scientific research needs short or long term monitoring (or observations). The place we set up something, we have to go again and again... One of my friends climb Mt. McKinley (highest peak of North America) every year since 1990 for exchanging battery and downloading data. Then you can see more farther detail of nature. Dr. Kenji / Xpedition Faculty Member
( View of the Glaciers of Kilimanjaro from Uhuru Peak )
Odalys Magarin Forest Brook Middle School Houston, Texas Are the poles melting as Kilimanjaro? Does that mean in 20 years we might be under ice or water? All of the phenomenon of ice retreating has regional unique systems. For the Kilimanjaro, ice (glaciers) may disappear next several decades. But this is manly cause by the pattern for precipitation. They will back again sometimes in future. Earth's climate never stays same, it will change and ice (glacier) also responding by the climate. For the South Pole, it is still very cold but we are worried about the edge of the Antarctic. When the land glacier melts, sea level will rise. For the North Pole, it located in the middle of Arctic Ocean, sea ice never affect sea level. Because it’s already floating.
Dr. Kenji / Xpedition Faculty Member
( Xpedition members head back down into the clouds after summiting Kilimanjaro )
( crowds gather to great the Xpedition Team as they come off the mountain )
Follow Orbie below to view the Amazing Celebration that took place at the Park Gate when the GLOBE Xpedition came down off the mountain after successfully summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro.
( Select the file format below )
( Xpedition Members gather to take photos after returning from the mountain )
Noah, Mrs. Cushing's Class, Sonoran Science Academy, Tucson, AZ
Who will be the first person you call from your satellite phone when you reach the summitt? Will you call home and tell your parents? Unfortunately not everyone got a chance to call home due to low batteries on the cell phone. I did however have enough charge left to give my parents a call in Louisville, Kentucky to let them know that everyone reached the summit OK. It was strange due to the time difference. We reached the summit around 9:30 A.M. in Africa but it was 2:30 A.M. in the United States. They were very excited but also very asleep…… Mike O’Toole / Xpedition Leader
( Students receive certificates of achievement and
reflect on their experience with others at Base Camp )
Mrs. Day's Class Lincoln, Nebraska
Hi! My 2nd grade class is studying butterflies and want to know if you have seen many butterflies on your climb.Unfortunately we did not see any butterflies on Kilimanjaro but we did see several on our training hike to Mt. Meru. They were very colorful but about average size. Go Huskers !!!! Mike O’Toole / Xpedition Leader
( Xpedition Member Sihle near Crater Camp )
“Top of the World,
..A Dream Come True,
.......Thank You GLOBE”
Follow Up Questions
Questions Submitted by:
Sekundarschule Schöntalstrasse
class 1d Sek Uzwil, Switzerland
1) Livia: How is the temperature changing depending on your altitude? (Could you measure the temperature at different altitudes and give us a table with date, time, altitude, air temperature?)We were able to collect data as the scientists installed thermometers on the surface and about 3 meters below the ground. Thermometers measure the underground and surface temperature. The temperature data obtained proved that for every 100 meters climbed above sea level, the temperature decreased about 0.6 degrees Celsius. Generally the surface and underground temperature decreases as the altitude increases and vise versa is true.
Joseph / Alumni Xpedition Member
Table below – Temperature data on Mount Kilimanjaro, 2009 September
Date Time
Place name
Altitude (AMSL)
Underground temperature
Surface temperature
24-09-2009
7am
Forest camp
2650
10
5.7
25-09-2009
7am
Shira 1
3610
8.5
-3.9
26-09-2009
7am
Moir hut
4200
7.2
-2.2
27-09-2009
7am
Lava tower
4600
5
-
29-09-2009
7am
Crater Camp
5790
4.3
-23
The gradient is very low (less than 0.6°C / 100 meters)The temperature was decreasing as we were climbing up the mountain, from normal till to the extreme. But after reaching at Stella Point, 5756 meters, we were actually seeing clouds below us …. So it was a bit warmer up there at the summit.
Mwasapi / Alumni Xpedition Member
2. Livia: Could you take a panorama picture from the top of the Kilimanjaro? What is the farthermost thing you can see from the peak? Yeah, we were able to take a few pictures. From one side of the summit its only clouds that you could see below, while on the other side we were able to see Stella Point 5756 meters, just 138 meters below the summit. Here we were able to take pictures of the glaciers from afar, what a beautiful view.
Mwasapi / Alumni Xpedition Member
New Panoramic Pictures
Click on the images below to open a larger version of the photo that will allow you to zoom in and explore the mountain in much greater detail.
( View of the Furtwnagler Glacier )
( View of Furtwnagler Glacier from Uhuru Peak with the Northern Icefield in the background )
( View of the Southern Icefield and clouds heading towards Stella Point from uhuru Peak )
3. Livia: Do you feel a difference in breathing at higher altitudes? What do you feel? What effect does it have on you?
Yes Livia, I experienced a difference in breathing as the air at high altitudes was dry with less oxygen. Although I had deep breathing, pulse rate increased and the level of oxygen in my body dropped down but my body acclimatized the situation. Generally speaking the difference was not terrible.
Joseph / Alumni Xpedition Member
Sure I had some little terrible deep breathing getting more seriously a night before, as we were approaching the summit. But the effect was more evident through the headache which hit some of us, though after some few hours of daily acclimatization, then things get well and the trek was carried on. Tthe best working medicine was simply “drinking much water” Mwasapi / Alumni Xpedition Member
4. Dario: How deep is the crater on the top? Could you please take pictures for us looking from the edge of the crater? We did not have time to visit the central ash pit this year. I choose to walk @ 2 miles to the Northern Ice Field instead. Below are some of the pictures from the 2008 Xpedition. I was told by our Head Guide Julius that the central vent is over 100 meters deep. He had the opportunity to explore this part of the mountain with a science expedition a couple years ago. They used ropes and climbed down to the pile of rocks below. Mike O’Toole / Xpedition Leader
( The Reusch Crater and Volcanic Ash Pit of Kilimanjaro )
5. Marco: Are there still volcanic vapors near the crater? What temperature do the vapors have? Last year we descended down into the central ash pit and explored the fumerals, vents that released sulfur dioxide. We weren't able to take any temperature readings but the vents were very warm. We could only keep our hands over a vent for a couple seconds.
Mike O’Toole / Xpedition Leader
( 2008 Xpedition members near some Fumerals, geothermal - volcanic vents in the Crater )
( If you look close Drew is standing on the northern rim of the Crater - 2008 Xpedition )
6. Tabea: What chemical substances are in the volcanic vapors? Are they poisonous? I believe there are several gases that are released from these types of vents with sulfur dioxide being one of the main ones. I do remember last year as we approached the rim of the central ash pit the smell of sulfur, like rotten eggs was very, very strong. Mike O’Toole / Xpedition Leader
7. Could you take a picture at the same place as 2008 (with Mike) to show whether the ice wall on the top has melted during one year? Of course, we took some pictures and we saw the glaciers that had melted away since last years Xpedition. Some scientist and researchers suggest that there will be no glacier by 2020, so plan your trek early that you do not miss them (joke). Mwasapi / Alumni Xpedition Member
The pictures below were taken 15 months apart. In June of 2008 there was a couple inches of snow on the ground. This was seasonal snow that was not present in October of 2009 when the second picture was taken. Notice the crack on the right side of this enormous glacier. All of that ice was gone when we returned just a couple months later. Mike O’Toole / Xpedition Leader
( June 2008 Xpedition )
( Notice the crack at the right side of the glacier )
( October 2009 Xpedition )
( Same glacier as above, ice from the crack over is no longer there )
8) Is the soil frozen on top? (Could you measure the soil temperature beginning at about 12'000 ft?) The soil is not frozen at the top. This is one of the amazing experiences as we’re all expecting to experience the deadly cold weather up there but we all ended up in friendly atmosphere … enough to put on only light t-shirts during the day hours. It got much colder at night. Mwasapi / Alumni Xpedition Member
9) Sonja: Are there any animals living in the highest region of mount Kilimanjaro? If not: at what altitude did you see the last animals? What animals? At the highest point, frankly we saw no animal at all. But in the mountain there are plenty of animals and birds. In the forest and cultivated zone, there are numerous animals. We saw four-stripped grass mice and colobus monkeys. Presence of elephant’s dung and paths proved the existence of elephants up there as well. We were informed at the same zone live blue monkeys, olive baboons, porcupines, bush babies, spotted genet and black rhino used to be there before. As you climb up more in the heath, moorland up to alpine desert, these animals becomes few leaving only four-stripped grass mice and spiders. All the way along however we saw vast species of birds. Silvery-cheeked hornbills, speckled mouse-bird, trogon, white-browed robin chat, common bulbul, white-necked raven, alpine chat, alpine swift and malachite sun bird. Their singing filled our ears with beautiful music. Mwasapi / Alumni Xpedition Member
( Members of the 2008 Xpedition standing on the back side of the cracked glacier )
10. Patricia: If all the ice would melt, could this cause the new eruption of the new volcano? I don't think so. I can’t see any reason to the melting ice to cause the eruption of another volcano. From the simple geographic phenomenon: volcano eruption is due to the process in which the hot molten lava from the deep underground come out in a very tremendous force, and many times through weak areas of the land and mostly cracks which in most cases are result of earth quakes, rocks dislocations etc. Mwasapi / Alumni Xpedition Member
11) Patricia: Does the ice melt because of the (warm) volcanic underground? I don't believe volcanic heat is the cause of the most recent melting of the Kilimanjaro glaciers. These glaciers have existed for close to 11,000 years and the most recent lose of ice is most likely due to the lack of snow during the rainy season to replenish the ice that melted during the dry season. Remember the definition of a glacier is a place that receives more snow than what melts over a given period of time. The snows of Kilimanjaro are just not falling in the quantity that they have over the last couple of thousand years.
Mike O’Toole / Xpedition LeaderBe sure to view the Aerial Pictures of the complete Furtwnagler Glacier below
( Members of the 2009 Xpedition standing close to where the cracked glacier was )
12) Marina: What animals did you see during your trek?
We saw actual animals and the signs of their presence like foot prints and dung. We came across with animals like baboons, zebra, elephants, rabbits, masai cows, etc. Joseph / Alumni Xpedition Member
13. Julia: What do you eat during your the trek? We were advised and supplied with food of plenty of energy that we can get strength. Moreover, watery foods were much preferred to so as to keep our body working properly, and of course to chase away headache. We had early breakfast which always comes before and after sweet porridge. The breakfast was rich in nutritious meals and fruits, and always we have something to eat all the way along the trek (kept in day pack). We used to stop for lunch around in the afternoon. The dinner was served after every one of us got warm ourselves with hot soup. Meals. Much water. Mwasapi / Alumni Xpedition Member
( Dr. Kenji and team set up dataloggers near Crater Camp )
14) Leandro: What is the lowest and highest temperature you encounter during your trek? -23°C at morning of crater camp and 56°C at midday same place, both ground surface temperatures.
Dr. Kenji / Xpedition Faculty Member
15) Leandro: Did you collect temperature data during a whole day on top? Yes, The datalogger, as seen below, automatically collects temperature ever hour for a year. This data will be collected next August, hopefully by GLOBE students. Dr. Kenji / Xpedition Faculty Member
( Dr. Kenji and team set up dataloggers near Crater Camp )
16) Leandro: Which is / was the most important piece of equipment for you? Drilling and data loggers equipment was used to install equipment for continued measurement of sub ground temperatures on the mountain.
Dr. Kenji / Xpedition Faculty Member
Personally, water bottle was the most significant equipment as I was supposed to drink enough water, which is about 5liters per day, for my own safety at high altitude. Other important equipments were sun glass, supporting sticks, caps, etc…
Joseph / Alumni Xpedition Member
( Aerial View of Furtwnagler Glacier from Uhuru Peak )17) When during the year does this mountain get some fresh snow? Kilimanjaro receives snow during the rain season. The rain season for northern part of Tanzania, where Mount Kilimanjaro located, starts in October / November each year. This is the time where Kili gets snow.
Joseph / Alumni Xpedition Member
( Aerial View of Furtwnagler Glacier from Uhuru Peak )
( Red Area represents loss of ice over the last 20 years according to Guides )
18) Which part of your expedition was the most beautiful? Why? And which was the most difficult? The whole expedition was an awesome moment to me. Seeing the vast of vegetation from the bottom to the summit was wonderful. Also seeing amazing geographical features which before I used to see only in books. But the climax of enjoyment during the trek was everyday in the mess tent, where we gathered for an evening talk. That is where we shared particular day experience and observations. I enjoyed comments from our guest scientists. I really felt enriched. It was during the same time which was used for answering questions from people around the world who from their homes, were following our trek all the way to the summit. It makes me fell connected to the world than ever before.
At the summit … that was the wonderful experience. I remember few minutes before reaching the top, although I was in bad shape: I started gaining the new strength … all sore and weakness disappeared. Joseph and Macaila in front of me started to run but I walked slowly imitating the dream I was about to achieve "… being at the highest point in Africa, the highest free standing mountain in the world …" I still remember it was 7:15hrs GMT, 1ST October.
The only hard time I encountered was the terrible headache, a night before the summiting day. This is simply due to the fact we climbed a considerable amount in elevation in a single day and my body failed to acclimatize in such a short time. Thanks to Julius, the Head Guide and the Medical Assistant who gave me tablets which freed me from that bad headache. Mwasapi / Alumni Xpedition Member
The most beautiful part was at the summit, where I experienced the beauty of the nature and became a hero to reach the Uhuru Peak, 5895M. While the most difficult point was at Stella Point (Crater Camp), where the weather changed for me... I was very tired, my joints were weak, I didn’t get a good sleep, I lost appetite and I couldn’t eat that night. Another difficult point was climbing Barranco Valley which is very steep. I never experienced such valley before in my life. Joseph / Alumni Xpedition Member
For me Crater camp (summit) because you can not find any living. Just glacier, sand, and laver looks like another planet. Drilling at summit. Everthing difficult work in thin air! Dr. Kenji / Xpedition Faculty Member
Follow the disguised Orbie to view Dr. Kenji Narita's Photo collection of plants on Mt. Kilimanjaro
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