DAY 5: CLIMB TO BARRANCO CAMP
MOUNTAIN ROUTE OVERVIEW
Today, the trail runs through a black lava desert past millions of boulders. From the Shira Plateau, the group will go up a ridge, past the trail to the peak of Kibo, to Lava Tower (known by locals as Shark’s Tooth). During their lunch break, they can take in the snowline above the Lava Tower. After lunch, they’ll descend to the Barranco Camp at an altitude of 13,000 feet. The black lava desert fades into heather and moorland. From Barranco Camp, they’ll see the Barranco Wall, the Western Breach of Kibo, and the South Glacier. This is where their hike ends – and they rest and have dinner. Because their bodies are exposed to such a high elevation at lunch, this is one of the most important days for acclimatization and will prepare our climbers’ bodies for summit day.
MOUNTAIN ROUTE STATS
Starting elevation 12,500 feet | Ascend to 15,000 feet at Lava Tower
Ending elevation 12,900 feet in Baranco Valley
Net elevation gain 400 feet
Distance hiked 6 miles
Average hiking time 7 to 9 hours
A Day of Infamy, the Power of Pits and Shining Lights.
To family and friends -and the Nifty Nine;
As always, the day began the night before with a commitment to “move out” earlier than the morning before. Day Three started cloudy and cool with “Morning Coffee” at 6:30am. Adam’s House of Chi Gong was open for bidness at 7:20am. Crepes and eggs at 7:30am. The traditional group pictures (portrait, landscape, selfie-style, .5, tough guy) and then we were ready to “head home” (aka move out) at 8:20, 10 minutes earlier than Day Two. Small victories.
For those at home keeping score:
8:20 Move out from camp (12,500 ft)
12:30pm Lunch
1:30pm Moving out, part two
3:00pm Lava Tower (15,200)
5:00pm arrive at camp (13,200 ft)
That’s ~8.5 hours start to finish
(7.5 hours hiking); 9 miles
Day of Infamy
On or about December 8, 1941, President Roosevelt, in a speech to the nation following the brutal events at Pearl Harbor, said that day would be a day that would “live in infamy.” I’m no Roosevelt and no disrespect to what happened at Pear Harbor, but I feel sure this will be a day that will also forever live in our memories for its own version of brutality.
Imagine this. You’re walking in terrain that resembles that of the moon. The temperature is 35 degrees. You’re in a cloud with 30 yards of visibility and 20 mile an hour winds are whipping a heavy rain sideways… for 8 hours.
While slightly exaggerated, I think - on an integrity scale of 1-10, my teammates would give me an 8. Dennis, a porter with 28 years of experience, told me it was the worst day of weather he had ever experienced on the mountain. Whether global warming, El Niño or Providence, the rainy season has continued its monsoons well into January. Today was the stuff of legend.
Power of Pits.
These apparently tragic moments (“pits”) in life also offer us opportunities for good and growth; beauty and blessing. A wise man once said that it is “in the darkness that light shines the brightest” (MLK). An even wiser man said that “we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…” (Paul).
Shining Lights.
Let me tell you about our team and their shining lights in our pit of today.
Ours is a group of nine (6 women / 3 men - with three amazing guides [Gabriel, John Simon and Samson]) incredibly faithful people who in their own way carry a connection with God that gives each a sense of hope, optimism and peace that manifests itself in attention, love, joy, kindness and laughter - in spades, overflowing and unfailing. You must know one or more of us or you would not be reading this. I wish you knew all nine.
In our lowest moment of worst weather, we came across a young boy about 18 years old- a porter - freezing and underdressed, hiding behind a rock. Immediately, Whitney (Wsimons) stopped and gave him her wind jacket and head cover. Many people gave him their snacks. All items of extreme importance in our conditions. Philippians 2 stuff @ 13,000 ft. Well done.
At lunch, I was emptying my boots of a puddle of cold water when Adam (BigElz) returned with a fresh, dry pair of wool socks for me to change into. “Dry” and “wool” are not something you naturally give up here. Here Here.
MJ’s (@gurlwiththecurl) bright and constant smile and creative mojo kept us warm, happy and distracted with all the pics… stand-on-a-rock pic, pencil pic, running pic, tough guy pic. Every little bit helps!
Catxflga Josh, despite a cold and some gear limitations, continues to lead as trip host with humility, care and skill. A real stud.
Despite the conditions, ours is a group - a sort of family - that talks to one another, shares life stories, laughs a ton, plays games, and generally seeks to be a blessing to all others in all situations - sunny dispositions in a wet and cold world.
The day ended as you would expect. Yes, with another of Mishak’s famous soups and some more The Shrek quotes from The John Simon. But also with games - Connections (“same here”) and Numbers (“the cloak of invisibility”) and, you guessed it, lots of laughter.
You would be proud and impressed with this squad of your friends and family. I am. Nine strong supported by the most kind, self-sacrificing, helpful friends others call porters - but we call kings.
Please join us in prayer for some sun to dry our gear, warm our bodies and share some views of this beautiful place.
We all remain healthy, safe and on track.
One Team. One Dream!
David Montague