Lava Tower on Kilimanjaro
Today we woke up early and left camp at first light, getting an early start to make the most of the day ahead. We hiked from 13,600 feet up to Lava Tower at 15,200 feet, one of the higher points we’ll reach before our summit push. The terrain was steep to begin with, but then turned into kind of rolling hills through boulder fields of lava, a stark, otherworldly landscape that’s a world away from the rainforest we started in just a few days ago.
One of the highlights of a day like this is watching our Tanzanian porters at work. It’s really wild to see them cruising uphill with 20 kg loads balanced on their heads! These porters are the backbone of every Kilimanjaro expedition, and the strength, skill, and good humor they bring to the mountain is something to behold.
We had snacks at Lava Tower and then descended 2,200 feet to Barranco Camp. The name “Barranco” comes from the Spanish word for “ravine” or “gorge,” a fitting name for a camp tucked into a dramatic valley beneath the towering Barranco Wall, which we’ll climb in the days to come. Descending from Lava Tower down to Barranco is a classic “climb high, sleep low” strategy that helps the body adjust to the altitude, one of the most important parts of a successful Kilimanjaro climb.
We’re feeling the mileage and elevation today, but everyone is doing great! Spirits are high and we’re looking forward to the days to come.
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