Berg

Hear Wally's Call from Africa

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We're underway with the second Alpine Ascents trip for the year. This place is at 5,800ft. We're in the rain, with a little bit of clouds...[Unintelligible]...we're going to be in Shira...[Unintelligible]...in the next six-seven-eight hours or so, as we walk up to the Machame Camp, which is 4,000 feet...[Unintelligible]...from here.

It feels great to be back out here and underway. [Unintelligible]...we had run of adventure–travel–type mishaps—near mishaps—and points of confusion with South African Airlines and some lost luggage for Helen Fong and Tom Brugger. These kinds of things cause us all to loose sleep, but more often then not, as they have this time, they work out. The situation: Sally, and Helen, and Tom are still back in Arusha with a commitment from South African Air to get those bags down to Arusha today and they'll be here tomorrow and joining us at Shira for our rest day. I'll keep you posted on their progress and how it goes.

You can see here, with the organization of porters, folks hanging around hoping to get a job, Tobias is organizing our needs right now...[Unintelligible]....

What I'd like to tell you, quickly on this dispatch, is the amazing job that the bushbuck drivers did with the Land Rovers again, in getting us up...[Unintelligible]...has all the gear...[Unintelligible]...it's certainly steep and a slippery, slimy road. It's pretty fascinating to watch; it's like a rodeo as these things bounce around and slide through these hills. [Unintelligible]...we weren't in the mood to walk anyway.

We've got the gear here; the porters are getting organized. I'll keep you posted about the first days of our trip as time goes along here.

—Alpine Ascents Guide Wally Berg, MountainZone.com Correspondent