We're off...

...after spending all morning on the bus, driving halfway around the mountain from Arusha, up along the Kenya border to the Rongai Gate.

"Gate" as in the entrance to the national park.

A quick packed lunch, and then a 4 hour uphill hike in the heat. We started about 6,500 ft and finished at 9,300 ft, so the oxygen deficit was noticeable. The terrain was montane rainforest to start with, and then it cleared to alpine moorland.

The Blip - liked the wee clouds and the view back down the mountain to the plains of Kenya and the mountains beyond.