Challenge details Part Deux

Sorry the title sounds like a Charlie Sheen film !

Ok so having arrived at out hotel in Moshi, of which I have seen one sample photo of a "typical hotel used", which means it will look nothing like, but hey we are only there one night!, we have lunch then do an equipment check. It is at this stage the guides, will laugh at all the gear we have brought, tell us to leave most of it in a bag at the hotel as we won't need it, then show us how to properly pack a bag !

This is then followed by a Welcome dinner where we will get to know each other more, no doubt be embarrassed by some of the gear we have bought, and start contemplating the real challenge.

An early rise at 6.30 is followed by breakfast, then off to the Machame Gate, and the real start of our trek, heading towards Machame camp.

We are only travelling 12km so relatively a short distance but gaining 1207m of height, so up hill all the way, and mainly walking through rain forest.

The photo makes it look reasonably pleasant, however it is normal for heavy rain at this stage. Dinner is planned for 18:00 so in effect there is plenty of time to cover the distance, and supposedly the intention is to go very slowly so that you get used to the pace later on in the trek!

So that is the plan, back to the here and now, well last night despite the rain and thunder storm, I ventured out for about 1 hour 15, gentle walk to let me legs know this is what they were designed for.

But did it rain, and a real test of the gear. So my rain coat works great, though it was rather warm in there, the boots were fine, the issue was my trekking pants. After about 30 minutes they weighed another 3 pounds, and were soaked, ok they are only shower resistant, but amazingly 5 minutes before I got home, the rain eased up, and they dried out. When I took them off, they were practically dry!

So considering the first day is subject to heavy rain, and I don't fancy walking in soaking pants for 8 hours, I may need to consider some waterproof trousers !

This morning was gym, where I only ran 2 miles, then did some weights and finally crossed trained for 20 minutes, to be honest it was a bit of a struggle this morning, I think this diet of Kate's I have joined in, is not helping.

Anyway I am hoping for relaxing night, may try another walk on Thursday if the weather is not too bad, and not as bad as it was last night.