Training Log Archive: iriharding

Kili trek day 7: Crater Camp (5700m) to Mweka Camp 3100 m

Cold camp in the carter at top of Mt Kilimanjaro. 1" of snow in night . Stomach better after a cold night. Thick clouds so couldn't see much . Climbed out of the crater in the fog to Stella Pt (5795m) and then down the scree to Barafu camp (2 hrs total) . Lunch there then down to mweka . getting warmer all the way down . Found a beer on sale at 3800m so Mike and I enjoyed that (only $3 !). Continued on down to 3100m and Mweka camp. Knees Ok after only 2695m of descent ! Slept well !

High altitude actvities such as toothbrushing, stuffing sleepingbag in stuffsack, rolling up Thermarest mat , going for a sh*t ,all of which at above 18,000 feet of altitude are extreme exertion and leave one panting and out of breath . (Note : this entry is limited to above 18,000 above mean sea level)

Kili day 6 : Barafu Hut 4600 m to Stella Pt (5790m) to Summit of Kilimanjaro 5895 m - highest point of Africa then down to camp at Crater camp 5700 m .

High winds during night at Barafu demolished tents of other groups . Our tent held up in 40 to 60 mph winds. Delayed our summit attempt til a 10:30 am start because of high wind gusts which were blowing us off our feet . Set off for the sumitt at 10:30 am ... long grind up higher and higher in the clouds and wind. Hit the wall at 5200 m , strong nausea but kept going to reach the summit 5895 meters at 15:59 hrs with Mike C and Dave H. Saw awesome glaciers through the clouds. Cold so stayed only a few minutes at the summit prior to quick descent to crater camp at 5700 meters were we spent a cold night , less wind but 1" of snow fell in night. Extreme camping !

C • congratz!! 6

Kili day 5 Karanga 3950m - Barafu 4600 m

Pleasant hike up , down slightly then up to Barafu camp

Kili Day 4 Lava Tower 4600m to Karanga 3950m

Down past Arrow glacier to Baranco Hut, up the Baranco Wall (fun steep scramble) . Spectacular groundsels . Down and then up again . Delighful walk through the Karanga Valley and then up to camp

Kili day 3 : Shira Camp 3610m to Lava Tower 4600m

Beautiful view of mountain and ice fields lit up by the full moon during the night . We approached the main summit massif across Shira plateau steadily climbing all the way

Kili Day 2 Forest camp 2650m to Shira 3610m

Kili trek day 1; Lemoso Glades to Big Tree camp
Delightful trek through the rain forest . Saw Blue monkeys and Colobus Monkeys . Many elephant trails in the forest (with elephant droppings - 6" diameter and more) . Camped at 2550 m in the forest... heard stereo calls all night from the colobus monkyes calling from one valley to the next.