Moonscape over Mount Meru, viewed from Machame Camp

Although the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro remained shrouded by clouds on our first night, the first spectacular view materialized like a spectre as the sky opened up to the west. As the sun set behind it, Mount Meru came into view for the first time. This jagged peak sits 14,000 feet above sea level. Although it would easy for Meru to be overshadowed by Kilimanjaro, as we rose higher and higher in the upcoming days, this peak seemed to rise with us. It seemed as if Meru grew larger and closer as we hiked up the western flank of Kilimanjaro.