6 July 2023: Kilimanjaro Day 5

Today, we started a half hour earlier than the other days... Wake-up was at 6, breakfast at 7, departure at 8. Breakfast was the usual porridge, egg, crepe, toast, and fruit. My pulse ox was a little lower today at 89, JT 92. We began our hike straight up towards our base camp at Barafu. The hike was nice and short at 1.8 miles, but with an elevation gain of 1800'. With stops, it took just over 3 hours. Once we got up to Barafu, we did a short trek up 300' to the top of camp (probably so the guides could size up how we were handling elevation). It's going to be interesting in the dark... We got some lunch - chicken, soup, curry veggies, mango and pineapple before our summit briefing. Basic details are 2 base layers, plus ski pants on bottom, fleece + puffy+ raincoat on top. Carry as little as possible - 2 liters of water. Excited and nervous! 3:45 p.m. - time for bed. And for those who are curious, we had cell signal here.

Leaving camp in the morning, the cloud ceiling was raising, and eventually enveloped us.

Worth a read!

We didn't get the sign picture the day before...

I thought this was such a cool shot in the cloud!

Once the cloud cleared, you could see the summit properly (finally!)

Another picture of the two lanes - porters and hikers.

Summit

Leaving the clouds again.

Notice the volcanic landscape

Another scenic bathroom

I want to say this was Karanga camp, with our toilet tents all in a row.

Great photo op on the hike.

The trail to Barafu.

Tea stop!

Barafu camp - this one was pretty rugged - all the tents were on a huge slope, including the toilet tents... There was no leveling that thing.

The helicopter pad at Karanga - the highest the choppers can go. If you get evacuated higher than this, they have to carry you to this point.

Another steep section for fun.

Mawenzi - the lower peak of Kilimanjaro, at only 16,893' (5,149 m). This one is way lower than Kibo, where we are headed, but honestly much more rugged and technical.