Day 6 - Barranco Camp 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
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Journal Entry ~ Ben Rainey
“It was through perseverance that the snail reached the ark.”
I forget who this quote should be attributed to, but it was one of my dad’s favorites when I was growing up and it hit home for all of us today. So much of the Kili climb is about perseverance. It’s hard for sure but pretty much anyone can do it if they don’t give up!
The day dawned sunny and bright. John Simon, our fearless guide, graciously allowed us to sleep in so most of us rolled out of our tents between 7 and 8 am to fresh coffee and tea in the mess tent. After a hearty breakfast, we tackled the Barranco Wall - a nearly vertical section of the hike almost immediately out of camp. We took it slowly and were amazed to see the porters, with all our gear, pass us with seeming ease. Roughly a 1000 feet later, we crested the top of the wall and were rewarded with amazing views of Uhuru Peak. Shrouded in broken clouds and mist, it loomed as a challenge to our determination and perseverance.
The rest of the hike consisted of a bunch of up and down and up and down. Just before coming into camp we were faced with a very steep final climb. However, like mana from heaven, we looked up to find our porters sprinting down the mountain to grab our backpacks for the final climb. Our spirits were immediately lifted and we finished the day with a little extra pep in our steps.
Beyond the physical lift, the porters and guides are truly tremendous. Their constant smiles, words of encouragement, and little acts of service - like helping us take off our boots at the end of each day - are an extension of God’s love for us. It’s humbling beyond words.
Reaching camp at 2:30 allowed us to get some extra rest in anticipation of the very hard days ahead. My daughter Katie and I were able to watch the first half of Little Women in our tent - undoubtedly the first ever showing of that movie on the mountain!
There is much anticipation of the summit push. We are all healthy and in good spirits, but we all know it’s going to be a long couple of days. But persevere we shall, like a herd of snails!
-Ben Rainey