Day 7 - Karanga Camp to Kosovo Camp

MOUNTAIN ROUTE OVERVIEW

As our climbers near the summit, they have another short day for acclimatization today. After breakfast, climbers leave Karanga Camp and make their way across moraine with a view of Mawenzi and Kibo to Kosovo Camp. The alpine desert terrain is full of boulders with lichen and moss. Upon reaching camp, climbers will spend the afternoon resting before packing for the summit and having an early dinner in preparation for their ascent to the summit to start at midnight. Summit begins at 5 PM EST.

MOUNTAIN ROUTE STATS

Starting elevation 13,300 feet

Ending elevation 16,000 feet

Elevation gain 2,700 feet

Distance hiked 3.5 miles

Average hiking time 4 to 5 hours

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Journal Entry ~ Murphy and the Crew

Here we go…the moment you’ve all been waiting for: tonight is Summit Night. 

Today we hiked for about 5 hours/2,900ft from Karanga Camp. On our way, John Simon taught us the proper step technique for us to practice to use on our way up to the top: use our skeleton not our muscles. Our goal is to preserve as much energy as we can as we trek for 7 hours to the top in the freezing cold, and then back down for a total of 16 hours of hiking in 24 hours. 

Because we’re better than everyone, our base camp is Kosovo Camp instead of Barafu Camp…meaning we hiked an extra 800ft/1 hour to cut that off of our Summit Night hike, and we get a more private base camp than other groups. 

Here’s how everyone’s feeling: 

Baileigh: The Lord has spoken to me so clearly to just keep “doing things scared.” So here we are. Challenge accepted. I’m ready. ❤️

Brett: Soooo excited! Can’t wait to summit!

Keri: Challenging but hopeful.

Sadie: I am feeling more excited and less nervous than I was before leaving the USA. Hoping to stay warm enough and not have any serious altitude issues. 

Kate: Caroline if you’re reading, I’m wearing my backpack all the way to the summit because I’m no wuss. Love you much! Excited to summit and come down so I can have some mango juice.

Ben: Knowing the cold, dark, and steep that awaits us, I’m excited for the rest of the group to experience the exhilaration of gaining the Stella’s appoint and ultimately the summit! 

Davis: If you’re reading this, we have summited. I have high hopes for the whole group and am excited to set out in a few hours.

Murphy: So proud of everyone thus far and I’m excited to carry this momentum with us to the top! Feeling great physically and mentally. 

John Simon: I’m one in a million much better I could be twins. Ready to Rock and Roll.

Now we’re off to get (hopefully) a solid 4 hours of sleep to wake up at 11pm to get started hiking at 12am. We pray for strength, oxygen, and good health all the way to 19,341ft and back down. 

Let’s do this thing!!

-Murphy & the YL crew