September 21, 2025 September 21, 2025 With the last members of the team arriving late last night, today was a big day to get ready for tomorrow’s climb. We started the morning with a briefing where we met our guides and split into our two hiking groups: Team Nguvu (Strong) and Team Pamoja (Together). These two groups are designed to ensure that our large trekking expedition can be staggered for things like meals, breaks, and setting up camp. We also received some safety information and talked a little about what we can expect on our first day of the climb.Following the briefing, we all returned to our rooms where our guides came one by one and checked our gear to make sure that we had everything: from our hiking boots to two different kinds of gloves, hats for sun and hats for warmth, water bottles for the day, our trekking poles, and the right layers in the right amounts. They also made sure that everything would fit in one bag within the required 15 kg limit.Once we were all checked out and everyone “passed inspection,” many people joined our guides at a local gear rental shop, where some of us had rented items we chose not to bring from home. When I tell you chaos ensued, I mean chaos ensued. We had sleeping bag fashion shows, discussions of weights and jackets, and all in all, everyone’s spirits were high as we were excited for what was to come.The entire group then went for a late lunch at the guides' favorite Indian Italian fusion cafe, followed by a walk through the large market in the center of town. This market not only sold every vegetable imaginable but also a wide assortment of grains, meats, and fish, as well as detergent and other household goods. After a short stop at a local souvenir and arts shop, there was only a quick moment to get ready to go out again for dinner. Our guides surprised us with trips on tuk-tuks to get to dinner. We finished our evening with a toast and everyone went back to their rooms to make sure that their bags were packed, ready, and under the required 15 kg before we started our day tomorrow.Sweetwater dreams—enjoy that last night in a bed for a week!- Courtney Bugler
September 21, 2025 With the last members of the team arriving late last night, today was a big day to get ready for tomorrow’s climb. We started the morning with a briefing where we met our guides and split into our two hiking groups: Team Nguvu (Strong) and Team Pamoja (Together). These two groups are designed to ensure that our large trekking expedition can be staggered for things like meals, breaks, and setting up camp. We also received some safety information and talked a little about what we can expect on our first day of the climb.Following the briefing, we all returned to our rooms where our guides came one by one and checked our gear to make sure that we had everything: from our hiking boots to two different kinds of gloves, hats for sun and hats for warmth, water bottles for the day, our trekking poles, and the right layers in the right amounts. They also made sure that everything would fit in one bag within the required 15 kg limit.Once we were all checked out and everyone “passed inspection,” many people joined our guides at a local gear rental shop, where some of us had rented items we chose not to bring from home. When I tell you chaos ensued, I mean chaos ensued. We had sleeping bag fashion shows, discussions of weights and jackets, and all in all, everyone’s spirits were high as we were excited for what was to come.The entire group then went for a late lunch at the guides' favorite Indian Italian fusion cafe, followed by a walk through the large market in the center of town. This market not only sold every vegetable imaginable but also a wide assortment of grains, meats, and fish, as well as detergent and other household goods. After a short stop at a local souvenir and arts shop, there was only a quick moment to get ready to go out again for dinner. Our guides surprised us with trips on tuk-tuks to get to dinner. We finished our evening with a toast and everyone went back to their rooms to make sure that their bags were packed, ready, and under the required 15 kg before we started our day tomorrow.Sweetwater dreams—enjoy that last night in a bed for a week!- Courtney Bugler
