Great Running Adventures: Running Around Mt. Kilimanjaro
- By Krissy Moehl
- Published Feb. 7, 2013
Mt. Kilimanjaro Running Adventure 1
I had arrived to the inky darkness of the Mbahe Cottages late at night, after 19-hours of travel from South Africa to Tanzania. We began in lush canyons to the south, made our way east and north, then descended through vast plains to the east, while enjoying hot meals, comfortable camps and the easy camaraderie of fellow runners. This image was taken from the southwest, near Machame Village. Photo: Andrew King/D4 Productions
Sometimes running isn’t about a race, but about the adventure. My trip to Tanzania in October was the opportunity to experience Mt. Kilimanjaro in a way no one else had. Instead of running up and down the 19,341-foot mountain like many ambitious trail runners have done, I engaged in an adventure that entailed running around the base of Africa’s largest mountain. Take a look at the photos and you’ll see that it was an experience of a lifetime.
Krissy Moehl is race director for the Chuckanut 50k in Fairhaven, Wash. She is also a professional ultrarunner. In 2012, she was the first female at the October 2012 Otter African Trail Run marathon in South Africa, first female at the 2012 Mt. Masochist 50-miler in Virginia in November and fourth female finisher at both the Hardrock 100 in Colorado and Western States 100 in California. For about from Krissy, go www.krissymoehl.com/blog.
Mt. Kilimanjaro Running Adventure 2
The route we took is unestablished and therefore the mileage each day was a guess. After an unexpectedly long day ending with a burly climb, we were greeted by this fantastic meadow. The great team retrieved us from this high spot and delivered us to camp for the night and back again the next morning. It was one of the few times we were in a vehicle the entire eight days. Photo: Andrew King/D4 Productions
Sometimes running isn’t about a race, but about the adventure. My trip to Tanzania in October was the opportunity to experience Mt. Kilimanjaro in a way no one else had. Instead of running up and down the 19,341-foot mountain like many ambitious trail runners have done, I engaged in an adventure that entailed running around the base of Africa’s largest mountain. Take a look at the photos and you’ll see that it was an experience of a lifetime.
Krissy Moehl is race director for the Chuckanut 50k in Fairhaven, Wash. She is also a professional ultrarunner. In 2012, she was the first female at the October 2012 Otter African Trail Run marathon in South Africa, first female at the 2012 Mt. Masochist 50-miler in Virginia in November and fourth female finisher at both the Hardrock 100 in Colorado and Western States 100 in California. For about from Krissy, go www.krissymoehl.com/blog.
Mt. Kilimanjaro Running Adventure 3
The children of Tanzania entertained us, but they were perhaps more entertained by us. As we ran, we would often discover two to 12 school children following along, keeping pace, whispering and giggling to each other. Photo: Krissy Moehl
Sometimes running isn’t about a race, but about the adventure. My trip to Tanzania in October was the opportunity to experience Mt. Kilimanjaro in a way no one else had. Instead of running up and down the 19,341-foot mountain like many ambitious trail runners have done, I engaged in an adventure that entailed running around the base of Africa’s largest mountain. Take a look at the photos and you’ll see that it was an experience of a lifetime.
Krissy Moehl is race director for the Chuckanut 50k in Fairhaven, Wash. She is also a professional ultrarunner. In 2012, she was the first female at the October 2012 Otter African Trail Run marathon in South Africa, first female at the 2012 Mt. Masochist 50-miler in Virginia in November and fourth female finisher at both the Hardrock 100 in Colorado and Western States 100 in California. For about from Krissy, go www.krissymoehl.com/blog.
Mt. Kilimanjaro Running Adventure 4
I love this shot because it captures the spirit of our group. Our group included a mix of runners and adventurers, with the unifying desire to join Simon Mtuy in his dream to circumnavigate Kilimanjaro. Mtuy, a fellow runner and owner of Summit Expeditions and Nomadic Experience (SENE), saw to every detail of our eight-day, roughly 270K expedition around the base of Kilimanjaro. We stuck together for the majority of the way around the mountain, talking, learning, joking and taking in the experience. Photo: Andrew King/D4 Productions
Sometimes running isn’t about a race, but about the adventure. My trip to Tanzania in October was the opportunity to experience Mt. Kilimanjaro in a way no one else had. Instead of running up and down the 19,341-foot mountain like many ambitious trail runners have done, I engaged in an adventure that entailed running around the base of Africa’s largest mountain. Take a look at the photos and you’ll see that it was an experience of a lifetime.
Krissy Moehl is race director for the Chuckanut 50k in Fairhaven, Wash. She is also a professional ultrarunner. In 2012, she was the first female at the October 2012 Otter African Trail Run marathon in South Africa, first female at the 2012 Mt. Masochist 50-miler in Virginia in November and fourth female finisher at both the Hardrock 100 in Colorado and Western States 100 in California. For about from Krissy, go www.krissymoehl.com/blog.
Mt. Kilimanjaro Running Adventure 5
Not a bad place to lay your head. Each night we snuggled into our tents after enjoying Kiplet’s cooking and the views of magnificent sunsets. Photo: Andrew King/D4 Productions
Sometimes running isn’t about a race, but about the adventure. My trip to Tanzania in October was the opportunity to experience Mt. Kilimanjaro in a way no one else had. Instead of running up and down the 19,341-foot mountain like many ambitious trail runners have done, I engaged in an adventure that entailed running around the base of Africa’s largest mountain. Take a look at the photos and you’ll see that it was an experience of a lifetime.
Krissy Moehl is race director for the Chuckanut 50k in Fairhaven, Wash. She is also a professional ultrarunner. In 2012, she was the first female at the October 2012 Otter African Trail Run marathon in South Africa, first female at the 2012 Mt. Masochist 50-miler in Virginia in November and fourth female finisher at both the Hardrock 100 in Colorado and Western States 100 in California. For about from Krissy, go www.krissymoehl.com/blog.
Mt. Kilimanjaro Running Adventure 6
One of our guides, Sigfried, running into the sunset. Photo: Andrew King/D4 Productions
Sometimes running isn’t about a race, but about the adventure. My trip to Tanzania in October was the opportunity to experience Mt. Kilimanjaro in a way no one else had. Instead of running up and down the 19,341-foot mountain like many ambitious trail runners have done, I engaged in an adventure that entailed running around the base of Africa’s largest mountain. Take a look at the photos and you’ll see that it was an experience of a lifetime.
Krissy Moehl is race director for the Chuckanut 50k in Fairhaven, Wash. She is also a professional ultrarunner. In 2012, she was the first female at the October 2012 Otter African Trail Run marathon in South Africa, first female at the 2012 Mt. Masochist 50-miler in Virginia in November and fourth female finisher at both the Hardrock 100 in Colorado and Western States 100 in California. For about from Krissy, go www.krissymoehl.com/blog.
Mt. Kilimanjaro Running Adventure 7
As we made our way around to the north side of the mountain, the long expansive views of surrounding peaks and vast open land were very different. Thanks to roads and the more forgiving terrain, we were able to cover more mileage and soak up quite a bit of sun. I went so far as to compare my tan with Simon’s. Photo: Andrew King/D4 Productions
Sometimes running isn’t about a race, but about the adventure. My trip to Tanzania in October was the opportunity to experience Mt. Kilimanjaro in a way no one else had. Instead of running up and down the 19,341-foot mountain like many ambitious trail runners have done, I engaged in an adventure that entailed running around the base of Africa’s largest mountain. Take a look at the photos and you’ll see that it was an experience of a lifetime.
Krissy Moehl is race director for the Chuckanut 50k in Fairhaven, Wash. She is also a professional ultrarunner. In 2012, she was the first female at the October 2012 Otter African Trail Run marathon in South Africa, first female at the 2012 Mt. Masochist 50-miler in Virginia in November and fourth female finisher at both the Hardrock 100 in Colorado and Western States 100 in California. For about from Krissy, go www.krissymoehl.com/blog.
Mt. Kilimanjaro Running Adventure 8
Kiplet, the head cook, and Robinson, prepared incredible, wholesome meals from their cook tent. Smoothies, pancakes, beans, rice, meats, veggies galore, bread, honey … We were incredibly well-fueled in mind, body and soul. Photo: Andrew King/D4 Productions
Sometimes running isn’t about a race, but about the adventure. My trip to Tanzania in October was the opportunity to experience Mt. Kilimanjaro in a way no one else had. Instead of running up and down the 19,341-foot mountain like many ambitious trail runners have done, I engaged in an adventure that entailed running around the base of Africa’s largest mountain. Take a look at the photos and you’ll see that it was an experience of a lifetime.
Krissy Moehl is race director for the Chuckanut 50k in Fairhaven, Wash. She is also a professional ultrarunner. In 2012, she was the first female at the October 2012 Otter African Trail Run marathon in South Africa, first female at the 2012 Mt. Masochist 50-miler in Virginia in November and fourth female finisher at both the Hardrock 100 in Colorado and Western States 100 in California. For about from Krissy, go www.krissymoehl.com/blog.
Mt. Kilimanjaro Running Adventure 9
This was a common method for carrying heavy loads–from sticks to grasses, buckets and bundles–and most often carried by women and children. I was constantly impressed with the balance, poise and neck strength needed to haul these parcels over long distances. Photo: Andrew King/D4 Productions
Sometimes running isn’t about a race, but about the adventure. My trip to Tanzania in October was the opportunity to experience Mt. Kilimanjaro in a way no one else had. Instead of running up and down the 19,341-foot mountain like many ambitious trail runners have done, I engaged in an adventure that entailed running around the base of Africa’s largest mountain. Take a look at the photos and you’ll see that it was an experience of a lifetime.
Krissy Moehl is race director for the Chuckanut 50k in Fairhaven, Wash. She is also a professional ultrarunner. In 2012, she was the first female at the October 2012 Otter African Trail Run marathon in South Africa, first female at the 2012 Mt. Masochist 50-miler in Virginia in November and fourth female finisher at both the Hardrock 100 in Colorado and Western States 100 in California. For about from Krissy, go www.krissymoehl.com/blog.
Mt. Kilimanjaro Running Adventure 10
We hiked/ran up and down these steep finger ridges as we traversed along the south side of Kilimanjaro. In case the photo doesn’t convey it, they were really, really steep! Photo: Krissy Moehl and Andrew King
Sometimes running isn’t about a race, but about the adventure. My trip to Tanzania in October was the opportunity to experience Mt. Kilimanjaro in a way no one else had. Instead of running up and down the 19,341-foot mountain like many ambitious trail runners have done, I engaged in an adventure that entailed running around the base of Africa’s largest mountain. Take a look at the photos and you’ll see that it was an experience of a lifetime.
Krissy Moehl is race director for the Chuckanut 50k in Fairhaven, Wash. She is also a professional ultrarunner. In 2012, she was the first female at the October 2012 Otter African Trail Run marathon in South Africa, first female at the 2012 Mt. Masochist 50-miler in Virginia in November and fourth female finisher at both the Hardrock 100 in Colorado and Western States 100 in California. For about from Krissy, go www.krissymoehl.com/blog.
Mt. Kilimanjaro Running Adventure 13
The Mbahe Cottages, and their welcoming view, made an amazing beginning and ending spot for our journey. Photo: Andrew King/D4 Productions
Sometimes running isn’t about a race, but about the adventure. My trip to Tanzania in October was the opportunity to experience Mt. Kilimanjaro in a way no one else had. Instead of running up and down the 19,341-foot mountain like many ambitious trail runners have done, I engaged in an adventure that entailed running around the base of Africa’s largest mountain. Take a look at the photos and you’ll see that it was an experience of a lifetime.
Krissy Moehl is race director for the Chuckanut 50k in Fairhaven, Wash. She is also a professional ultrarunner. In 2012, she was the first female at the October 2012 Otter African Trail Run marathon in South Africa, first female at the 2012 Mt. Masochist 50-miler in Virginia in November and fourth female finisher at both the Hardrock 100 in Colorado and Western States 100 in California. For about from Krissy, go www.krissymoehl.com/blog.
Mt. Kilimanjaro Running Adventure 11
Making our way back around the mountain and into the lushness. Seemingly relentless canyons awaited, but, for a while, we were able to take in the views and cover some easy dirt. Photo: Krissy Moehl
Sometimes running isn’t about a race, but about the adventure. My trip to Tanzania in October was the opportunity to experience Mt. Kilimanjaro in a way no one else had. Instead of running up and down the 19,341-foot mountain like many ambitious trail runners have done, I engaged in an adventure that entailed running around the base of Africa’s largest mountain. Take a look at the photos and you’ll see that it was an experience of a lifetime.
Krissy Moehl is race director for the Chuckanut 50k in Fairhaven, Wash. She is also a professional ultrarunner. In 2012, she was the first female at the October 2012 Otter African Trail Run marathon in South Africa, first female at the 2012 Mt. Masochist 50-miler in Virginia in November and fourth female finisher at both the Hardrock 100 in Colorado and Western States 100 in California. For about from Krissy, go www.krissymoehl.com/blog.
Mt. Kilimanjaro Running Adventure 12
If you ask me, this was the official finish. After completing the circumnavigation at our starting gate, we still had to walk about 1km back to the Mbahe Cottages. On our way, we came across a waterfall fed swimming hole. Everyone stripped off their packs and made the 15-foot cliff jump into the refreshing water below for a perfect cap to our adventure. Photo: Andrew King/D4 Productions
Sometimes running isn’t about a race, but about the adventure. My trip to Tanzania in October was the opportunity to experience Mt. Kilimanjaro in a way no one else had. Instead of running up and down the 19,341-foot mountain like many ambitious trail runners have done, I engaged in an adventure that entailed running around the base of Africa’s largest mountain. Take a look at the photos and you’ll see that it was an experience of a lifetime.
Krissy Moehl is race director for the Chuckanut 50k in Fairhaven, Wash. She is also a professional ultrarunner. In 2012, she was the first female at the October 2012 Otter African Trail Run marathon in South Africa, first female at the 2012 Mt. Masochist 50-miler in Virginia in November and fourth female finisher at both the Hardrock 100 in Colorado and Western States 100 in California. For about from Krissy, go www.krissymoehl.com/blog.
FILED UNDER: Photos / Trail Running
