Day 1 and we are at the trail head. We had been “in country” for a few days and were all anxious to get started. “Let the games begin.”

Bob C. and tent mate Steve Green. We met in January 2010 on the Kilimanjaro climb. Steve has a classic English accent and always seems calm and in control.

The hike to base camp was thru this river valley and took 3 days. We saw nearly no plant life. Very windy and dusty along the way.

As it turned out, this is as good as the path gets. Mostly we hiked across loose rocks, scree, snow.

Walking on loose rocks like this was typical and make for slow going. I didn’t get to look up much while moving forward.

Mules were used to move some of the gear and supplies for the first 3 and last 2 days. Otherwise it was a self-supported climb.

Occasionally and to its peril, a mule will lose its footing and fall to its death.

Sometimes it was difficult to find a spot to set up our tent among the rocks and large boulders.

Our very first glimpse at Aconcagua (the peak on the left). It’s still miles away and looks cold.

Time to add another layer as we get to higher altitudes.

We had meetings at least once a day. As the days got colder I preferred either being in my tent or making progress on the climb.

Here we are scrambling up the mountain to the next camp. Hiking thru scree significantly slowed us down at times.

It was not always apparent that the glacier was just inches underneath the dirt and rocks. Notice the crevasse just to our left.

Breaking camp and getting ready to move to the next camp.

It’s now getting much colder. We are now as high as many of the lower snow capped peaks nearby.

Very windy at camp 1, at an elevation of 14,500 ft.

Tents among the rocks at camp 1.

At 17,800 ft. elevation, it was no fun being outside at camp 2. We stayed in our tents to keep as warm as possible.

Camp 3 was at 19,500 ft. elevation. It’s difficult to sleep at that altitude due to the cold temperatures and thin air.

This vestibule completely filled with snow overnight because the tent was pointed in the “wrong” direction. It was the tent next to mine.

We were well on our way to the summit (on summit day) as we watched the sun rise.

The journey to the summit includes a lot of switchbacks.

Sometimes there is no clear path to help navigate. Hiring professional guides such as IMG is critical.

The summit is close. It took us about 8 hours to reach it.

Bob C. reaches the summit at 22,840 ft. elevation. It’s been a long day and we still need to move back down to camp 3 before our day is done.

Bob C. with his American flag at the summit. Same flag that visited Kilimanjaro.

What a view from the summit. I hope someone remembers the way back down. Bad weather was moving in so we only stayed on the summit for a few minutes.

At times our descent was slow due to the rough terrain.

Getting back to camp 3 required about 5 hours.

It’s good to be back down at lower altitudes. It’s warmer and easier to breathe.

The river valley out, a different one than the one we used for our approach the first few days, required 2 days of hiking.

The river valley was “post card” scenic and beautiful.

Sorting and checking gear and supplies was a chore we performed every day.

Mendoza, Argentina, is home to many Malbec wine vineyards. Notice the Andes mountains in the distance.

The beautiful Bodegas Salentein vineyard wine cellar.

Kilimanjaro from our hotel balcony. Certainly kept us focused pre-climb.

Ferns grow big in Africa. This one is over 20 ft. tall.

On our way to the mountain. Summit is 19,340 ft.

Climb begins in the rain forest. Beautiful hydrangeas everywhere.

A break in the rain forest canopy gives us a glimpse of our destination.

On the trail. Comfortable temperatures. Easy climbing. This won't last for 7 days.

The Bobs similing, rehydrating. Important to drink 4 liters a day.

Porters moving gear and food up the mountain. Rough terrain.

The Bobs at Machame Camp. Rained on us a little during the hike. More rain and sleet came after we got in our tent.

Lots of valleys typical of this one were crossed.

Climbing the Barranco Wall, about 900 ft. of difficult climbing.

Bob D. showing off his positive attitude before summit day.

Bob C. on the trail. Lots of clothing layers to stay warm.

Friends Jeff Wayne, Bob Dickie, Bob Cassidy, Gary Minarich.

The Bobs resting. You don't have to look hard to find a rock to sit on.

Bob C. taking a break. Lots more climbing left.

Bob D. at camp looking a little wiped out.

Cassidy in the rocks. Waterfall in background.

Bob D. on the trail. Still looking fresh after several days of climbing.

As the clouds move in the summit looks menacing.

At higher elevations lots of lose broken rock makes for slow progress.

One of our camps. Sometimes tough to find a flat spot clear of boulders.

High camp before summit day. Oxygen is now about half of what it is at sea level.

Dickie catching his breath near high camp on day 5.

Bob C. on the crater rim. Crater bowl in background.

Cassidy traversing the crater rim. Almost there. Way above the clouds.

Close to the top of Kilimanjaro. Glacier in the background.

Glacier off in the distance. Impressive. Massive.

Glacier near the summit. Guessing it's about 100 ft. high here.

Looking patriotic, Cassidy and Dickie at the top. Summit day was difficult. Required about 16 hours to summit and then descend down to Mweka camp.

The Bobs creating awareness for cancer, autism, alzheimer's.

Nothing like a cold Coca Cola after a 7 day climb. A shave and shower wouldn't hurt either.

Bob D. with one of the porters after the climb.

Tanzania govt. requires the hiring of local porters and guides. Here are some of the 55 we hired. Wow!

Visit to Masai village near the Serengeti.

Bob D. making friends with Masai warrior. Smart. The mounds in the background are living quarters. Amazing!

Bob D. dancing with Masai warriors. Don't know the name of this dance but doesn't look like the macarena.

Cassidy with Masai warrior.

Barack Obama's YES WE CAN message reached all the way to this remote Masai village. He is a symbol of hope in Africa.

More of our climbing friends a few days after a successful summit.

The Bobs first day of three on a Serengeti safari after the Kili climb.

Giraffes, the tallest of all land-living animal species, were everywhere.

Elephants playing. The one on the right sank in a few feet of mud.

The great annual migration of millions of zebra and wildebeest. Their 1,800 mile round trip trek begins at the Serengeti plains to Kenya's Masai Mara

Hippos stay in the water during the day and emerge at dusk to graze on grass. Reproduction and childbirth even occur in water.

King of the jungle, and king of the Serengeti too.

The cheetah is the fastest land animal, reaching speeds of up to 75 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 65 in 3 seconds, faster than most sportscars.