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

Ending elevation 12,900 feet

Elevation gain 400 feet

Distance hiked 6 miles

Average hiking time 7 to 9 hours

Billy Graham once said something along the lines of mountains are for views, & valleys are for the growth.  As we camp in the shadow of this massive mountain-in what’s aptly called “the valley” & see the town lit up just below us, I can’t help but revel in this thought. More on this shortly.

During today’s trek, we hiked 8.75 miles from around 12,000 to the height of 15,180 at what’s called Lava Tower, then back down through the valley - where we currently camp at Barranco Camp.

Lava tower was a great experience for us to make it to. This was the highest elevation that the majority of this team has ever experienced-including my dad & I. Despite having hiked numerous 14ers, this was still about 800 feet more than either of us had ever experienced. At any new high elevation, it can feel like a workout sometimes to just take a breath-much less slowly drudge up the side of a mountain-but it is rewarding!

While it was misty today & we couldn’t enjoy the view, we were able to soak in vibes as if we were in one of JR Tolkien’s books. Having the latter half of the day going down into the valley, we camp in as a fresh reprieve to catch our breath but also a fine reminder to watch our step.

As we began to trek down the valley, there were many small streams we passed over, all that ranged from the size we could step over in a single step to needing a few stone steps to get over. 

Just past the first one from Lava Tower, I stopped for a “30”, just a brief 30 second pause to catch breath, recoup, & maybe have some water. While I did, one of our guides took his water bottle & filled directly from the stream-stating how good & pure this water is. 

While I knew the answer, I asked if that was safe for those used to it or all-to which, he replied it was safe for him to drink & not I, but at these harsh elevations & cold weather, it’s refreshing to see growth & streams in this valley.

Furthermore, it reminds me of how it’s only in the remains of this snow-topped once active volcano with the last night waking up with frost covered tent that it’s only these extremes that give the valley such growth & abundance. 

I reflect on the vibrant greenery I experienced in Arusha-something I’ll admit I ignorantly expected a lot more desert landscape & less lush landscapes, but it’s only from the ice & snow melting from this mountain then pouring into streams like this that can feed & flourish the valley into what it is now. 

As we arrived at camp today, our team was singing local songs, like a pep rally we all needed-one of which was hard not to sing along, clap, & dance to. During this, they presented Cliff’s luggage, which only further lifted everyone’s spirits. Having this luggage arrive can only be explained by our team leaders’ due diligence to connect the dots while during a time of limited cell service & many (now answered) prayers. 

Lastly, but certainly not least in my opinion but we had some delicious food prepared for us today. As normal, we had some sort of soup served-to which, my dad said, with zero complaints over the crafted soup, he’ll have more soup this week than the past ten years. For dinner, we had a German-style meal with pork schnitzel. Over lunch, we had fresh fajitas & guacamole with local pita, which is nothing like the pita we have back home. This was probably my favorite meal from this trip.  

I don’t know if I can speak for the rest of the team, but I am excited for a shorter hike day tomorrow-arriving for a late lunch & time to converse/reflect & maybe even play cards. This is probably a necessary reprieve before the following two days, staying shortly at 16,200 the following day before we summit & descend. 

Well thank you for reading this long-winded post & continual prayers / support. Please continue to pray for everyone’s sleep, strength, & struggle with elevation. This is arguably as much of a mental battle as it is physical. In the meantime, I need to get zipped back up into my cocoon-like sleeping bag & have some shut eye. 

-Michael Hiskey