Africa 2014 - Kilimanjaro Day 3 - Barranco Valley Camp (12,500' to 15,250' to 12,900')

We woke at 6:30 am from a cold windy night in the 20's as the sunlight began to fill the tent.  The porters once again brought coffee and warm wash water. Joe poked his head into the zipper door and asked us the obligatory questions. "Any headaches or nausea?", thankfully our responses were all "No!". The mornings already feel somewhat routine. At 12,500', packing up the sleeping bag and pad into our duffle bags and organizing our day packs is becoming fairly laborious and enough to bring shortness of breath.

The view from our tent in Shira Camp

 

The day warmed quickly after breakfast. Today's acclimatization hike would be 6.5 miles of gaining and losing altitude all day with the top of Kilimanjaro in full view. Our initial ascent to 15,250' on the shoulder of the main mountain was gradual and scenic with constant views of the top of Kilimanjaro.

We begin our day hiking toward Kilimanjaro

Boulder field in front of Kilimanjaro



Kilimanjaro is getting closer

Throughout the trek, Stuart, the team's unofficial documentarian, would hike ahead of the group, climb up on a rock and get a video clip of the team hiking over various terrain. He received passage from his friend Nell who couldn't follow through with the trip due to a knee injury. He decided to put together a video for her to show his appreciation for the opportunity.

When we arrived at the 15,250' pass at Lava Tower, the porters had miraculously erected the mess tent and prepared lunch for us. Sleet began to fall and the temperature was around 30 degrees.  This was the highest elevation of today's hike. Aside from progressing around the mountain, the purpose of this hike is for acclimatization. The body is shocked at 15,250'  to encourage production of even more red blood cells to counteract the decreased oxygen.  

Looking toward Lava Tower.  These boots have a lot of miles on them.

The Zara mess tent erected at Lava Tower for lunch

After lunch we spent the afternoon descending from 15,250' down into the Barranco Valley at 12,900'.

Leaving Lava Tower to begin our descent

Scrambling down from Lava Tower

Kilimanjaro

Our local guide Filbert (FBI)

Our American guide Joe Koehly

As we descended into the clouds that covered the valley we came to the first Giant Groundsels (Dendrosenecio) trees.  These trees are like nothing I've ever seen. They grow only between 11,000' to 15,000' and retain their spent foliage for insulation from the cold.

The entrance to Barranco Valley Camp - Giant Groundsels Trees

 

As happens every day, the porters broke down camp as we left Shira Camp and would pass us on the trail only to have the new camp set up prior to our arrival at Barranco Valley Camp. It seemed rather inconsiderate to complain about the arduous hikes when they were doing them faster with far more weight on their backs. Again, so impressive.
 

It was a full day of hiking, climbing and descending. We were very glad to have completed the task at hand for Day 3. 

Barranco Valley Camp

Kilimanjaro from Barranco Valley Camp

Kilimanjaro from Barranco Valley Camp

The much anticipated Barranco Wall

After a full day of hiking, we dine, sleep and gather ourselves for tomorrow's much anticipated climb of the Barranco Wall, a 1,600' steep, scrambling ascent with the most dramatic exposure on the Machame Route. You can see the faint line of the trail in the image above.  We're all a little concerned about what awaits us on the wall. Ironically, I'm not a fan of heights, so another adventurous test awaits.

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