Day 4: Climb to Shira Camp

MOUNTAIN ROUTE OVERVIEW

Today is a shorter day that starts with climbing up a steep ridge to a small cliff named Picnic Rock. Climbers will start in the moorland zone which is above the rainforest and clouds. As our climbers hike up the steep ridge, they’ll be rewarded with a sweeping view of Machame Camp and Machame Village. The air will become increasingly thin as they reach the halfway point and vegetation will slowly give way to black lava and sand. The trail continues up and up pst small mountain streams, rocky walls, and deep ravines. Shira Camp is in the middle of the Shira Plateau. Climbers will have views of Mount Meru and Kibo from camp is the weather is good!!

MOUNTAIN ROUTE STATS

Starting elevation 9,900 feet

Ending elevation 12,500 feet

Elevation gain 2,600 feet

Distance hiked 5 miles

Average hiking time 5 to 7 hours

This trip is a trip of firsts. I woke up in a tent, in a sleeping bag - a first for me and something I honestly haven’t gotten the hang of yet. I can say, unequivocally, that I have memorized the position of all 16 rocks that attempted to break my spirit last night. It was a struggle, number 8 and I really got into it a couple times, but eventually I made it to sleep.

Before last night roughing it was the Holiday Inn Express.

After what can only be described as an astonishing meal, our team of about 80 men headed out. The 18 rookies headed out first while the rest of the exhibition packed up and loaded the equipment onto their heads.

Let me be straight with you. Today was hard, but rewarding. A few of the rookies got decent sleep and we were basically on stair master for 5 hours. We traversed streams and precarious cliffs and remained flabbergasted as the porters skipped past us carrying everything from tabletops to toilets. Their strength and grace of foot is nearly as impressive as their quick smiles and pride in their work. They are the heart and soul of the mountain. The last to leave and the first to arrive at camp.

As we arrived, exhausted, sore, and excited to be at 12,500 feet they ran to great us singing and dancing with us for 10 minutes.

I began this trip with Two of my best friends, Roel and Chris, by the time we got to the climb I had already connected with Brett, whose intelligence and quick wit made us fast friends. As our team treks up this mountain we have each shared our own story and planted the seeds of new relationships. The struggle has made us bond. By the time this is over I have the feeling I’ll have a bigger family.

Chaz Ballish Regueiro

-Retired Professional Ballet Dancer

-CLO for GPA

-Husband of Melania and dad of Zinho