A trekking group overtakes us soon after leaving Horombo on the morning of day 5. In 24 hours, we should be on the summit (we weren't - quite - as it happened) which is on the far left of Kibo, above the glacier. Today's 8-hour walk will deposit us on the Barafu ridge, seen leading to the summit directly below the glacier. There, we'll rest a few hours before a midnight trek up a zig-zagging path to crater rim at Stella Point.
A slightly ridiculous place to stop for lunch stop in dry, windy, horribly cold valley. Cobra watches from the cave as William serves up food that is doubtless delicious, but at this altitude very unwanted. Dessert was a long, steep climb onto the Barafu ridge.
Tents on the Barafu ridge at 4600 metres. The path to the summit can be seen leading up the high ground on the left. On the right is the crater rim, looking tantalisingly close.
A breathless place, the Barafu Ridge. The purple tent was living quarters for all 14 guides and porters for the duration of our trek. Whenever we thought we had it tough we reminded ourselves of it.
A final view towards the summit before freezing temperatures forced a retreat into sleeping bags and a few hours' nervous, sleepless contemplation of the summit climb. A group of Germans in the next tent decided that those few hours would be a good time to sing, presumably raising their spirits, and certainly lowering ours.
For easily the best guidebook to Kilimanjaro:
Kilimanjaro DAY 6
Thankyou to Team Kilimanjaro , the very friendly, knowledgeable and efficient company that arranged our trek. They have the best guides on the mountain.
Thankyou to Team Kilimanjaro , the very friendly, knowledgeable and efficient company that arranged our trek. They have the best guides on the mountain.
No comments:
Post a Comment