Day 6: Climb to Karanga Camp

MOUNTAIN ROUTE OVERVIEW

After breakfast, one of the biggest challenges for our climbers begins. They’ll climb up and over the Great Barranco Wall. Getting to the top of it will take 1 to 2 hours. After the wall, climbers will cross a barren and rocky plateau with views of Kibo and three glaciers before descending into Karanga Camp. As they cross the plateau on a trail of gravel and sand, climbers will pass streams and giant boulders for 2 to 3 hours. As they walk into camp, they have a good view of tomorrow’s route. They’ll get to camp by lunch. But this short day is planned for resting which helps with acclimatization.

MOUNTAIN ROUTE STATS

Starting elevation 12,900 feet | Ascend 14,000 feet to the top of Baranco Wall

Ending elevation 13,300 feet at Karanga Camp

Net elevation gain 400 feet

Distance hiked 3 miles

Average hiking time 4 to 6 hours

UPDATE FROM THE TEAM

Wake up at Barranco camp was scheduled for 7 am but most people were up and about prior to that. After cleaning ourselves up, packing up our duffel bags and daypacks, we had breakfast. It consisted of french toast and an egg omelette with coffee or tea. It was delicious! The types and amounts of food that are brought up the mountain by the porters is really something that I would have never imagined possible. Their work ethic is incredible and everyone of them are so nice.

Once breakfast was complete, we were led by our wonderful guides John and Gabriel up the Barranco wall. I later found out from John that "Barranco" means "the way out of no way". This wall is necessary in order to get to Karanga camp. At first glance, the wall looked intimidating. Sayings you hear over and over on this mountain are "Pole, Pole" meaning "Slowly, Slowly" and "Pamoja, Pamoja" meaning "Together, Together". These words were never more true then during this part of the hike as the wall is high and the ledges are small. All of us made it successfully by following these two principles.

After completing the Barranco wall, a break was in order at the top. While sitting there, my Mom, Tammy was given a rock by a fellow team member. This rock was in the shape of Africa and had a small edged part on it in the middle appx the same location as Kilimanjaro. This small edge is simple but could be used to symbolize the Barranco wall we just finished. It brought tears to my eyes seeing my Mom complete this feat and get this rock that symbolized what she just accomplished along with our whole team. It truly has been a team effort up this mountain.

Once our break was complete, we continued on to Karanga camp. Lunch was served and after a little downtime we had dinner. It is an important night for rest as tomorrow promises to be a long day with a daytime hike and summiting beginning at midnight after that.

~ Michael Pritchett