After breakfast we meet our guides and porters. The route begins at the National Marangu Gate at 6,000 ft. The forest teems with bird life, and colobus and other monkeys may be seen. You will stop for a picnic lunch en route. While rain may occur on this day, shorts, T-shirt and sneakers are usually adequate attire.
Evenings range from cool to cold.
Today we leave the last glades of the forest and follow the gently ascending path through the open alpine meadow. The altitude will begin to make itself felt, commonly experienced as shortness of breath, cautioning us to tread slowly and enjoy the flora and panoramic views of the peaks and the plains below the mountain. The vegetation is quite spectacular, especially higher up, where giant lobelia and senecios may be seen. Higher still the vegetation becomes thinner. As the altitude increases, jeans or pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a lightweight jacket are adequate attire for today's climb.