After weeks of waiting (and quietly wondering if bureaucracy would throw a wrench in things before altitude ever could), we got the green light: our Kilimanjaro permit is officially approved.
And this isn’t your standard summit permit.
To attempt the FKT on Kilimanjaro’s remote Northern Circuit, we had to apply for a rare, custom route approval—one that allows us to descend via Barranco Camp and loop back to our starting point at the Lemosho trailhead.
Here’s the thing most people don’t realize: There are seven official ascent routes on Kilimanjaro. But there are only two official descent routes—Mweka and Marangu. Both are steep, fast, and brutal on tired legs.
Going back down the same rugged, less-traveled route we came up? That’s not something most people do. It takes paperwork. And persistence.
We’ve got both.
With this approval in place, the logistics are locked. The route is clear. And the clock is ticking.
We’re in countdown mode.