Kilimanjaro Climb Part 5 – To Barranco Camp

The previous entries in this Kilimanjaro Trip journal are the Introduction, Arrival in Moshi, To Machame Camp and To Shira Camp. Alice’s words (with the bare minimum of editing by me) will be in italics. My words will be in the usual font I use for these blog entries.

Today’s entry is Day 3 of the Kilimanjaro climb on the Machame Route. Day 3 is a hike from Shira Camp (elevation 3800m/12,464ft) up to the Lava Tower (4600m/15,098ft) and then down to Barranco Camp (3950m/12,956ft).

Elevation Change: 150 meters (800 ascending and 650 descending)
Distance: 15 kilometers in 6 hours
Habitat: Semi-Desert (more about Kilimanjaro’s eco-zones)


Alice’s journal:

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April 2, 8:00 PM

Today we had a six-hour hike to the Lava Tower (4600M, 15,098ft) and then down to Barranco Camp (3950m, 12,956ft). It was our worst day so far for weather. We had a great view of Kibo at breakfast but by 11:00 it was raining. As we gained altitude it turned into bits of hail, sleet and snow. My gear worked well and I stayed comfortable and dry.




We took the long route to Barranco to see the Lava Tower and gain a bit of acclimitization. [The Lava Tower is the volcanic plug of an ancient volcano vent that has eroded away leaving the solified lava core of the vent.]



We huddled under a rock overhang for lunch at the Lava Tower.

As we headed up we had the most monotonous scenery of a rock strewn moonscape. The mist hid views of Kibo. Heading down from The Lava Tower we were more occupied with keeping our footing and our feet dry as we descended in a wet creek bed.



The rain stopped eventually and the Senecio Johnstonii plants (aka giant groundsel) were a visual treat after the moonscape of the morning.



After six hours we arrived at camp. The remaining hours we filled with tea, many trips to the long drop (outhouse), and dinner.



John is joining us now for all our tea breaks and meals. We’re learning lots about the way of life in Tanzania.

This day would not be complete without a report on my AMS progress. I’m doing so well, considering my previous history with AMS. At The Lava Tower today (15,000ft) I noticed that I really had to slow the already slow pace. Back at camp I developed a mild headache that Advil took care of. So, I’m pleased but still anxious about how I will fare over the next two days. I still have a developing situation with IBS/constipation but I’ll visit a pharmacy when we get back to Moshi or Arusha.

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From Barranco Camp you have this view of The Barranco Wall, part of tomorrow’s climb. They say it’s easier than it looks… If you look closely you can also see a couple of White-Necked Ravens Corvus albicollis perched on rocks in this photo.

The next part of this Kilimanjaro Trip journal is here.