Kilimanjaro Day Three

Today was an Acclimatization day (not acclamation, like I said in yesterdays video), although maybe I should get some acclamation’s for completing it.

I climbed up 2800 ft and descended 2300, for a 500 ft net altitude gain for the day. At Lava tower I was 15,180 ft approx. We were in the alpine desert with a lot of sun beating down. It was hard to find shade when we rested and it was tough going. I don’t like the hot sun.

 

Here you can see the type of landscape I’ll be traversing today. Open and barren.

 

Off in the distance between the clouds is the Shira plain. The campsite from last night is to the left down that valley, in the clouds now. You can see a hiker coming up the path on the far left.

 

Some Videos:

 

 

 

 

 

A sample of the path for today. That’s my guide, Ernest, on the right.

 

There’s Kili in the background. You can see the pathway coming from the left and heading over that ridge. Look close and you can see some hikers to give you some perspective. Take a look at that rectangular ridge in the center of the picture. You’ll see that ridge later on. There’s a pathway that goes to the right at the bottom of it.

 

This gives a closeup of that ridge. You can see two porters on the trail below the ridge, one in the center, and one to the left by a boulder. That shows how big the ridge is.

 

Here we are at Lava Tower, about 15,180 ft. Kili in the background. I’m actually closer to the summit here than on assent day, but it is a very dangerous climb from here. You can see that in the background.

 

This is the actual Lava Tower.

 

This is were I came from. You can see the paths. Notice the ridge from a few pictures before. That’s it just to the left of center. It shows how far I came today so far. Only halfway though!

 

Here is a zoomed in picture. You can see hikers on the path.

 

Just above my guide in the red jacket, you can see a faint winedy path for the brave(read crazy) hikers that wish to try the Western Breach. I’m going the other way.

 

We start our decent and another view of Kili.

 

The clouds are moving in, coming up the Barranco Valley. My camp the still a ways around the valley to the right.

 

Almost there. The clouds have moved out. The camp is just around the corner. Better hurry, the sun is starting to set.

 

Made it before sunset. Now for some supper.

 

 

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