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 | Ascend to 15,000 feet at Lava Tower

Ending elevation 12,900 feet in Baranco Valley

Net elevation gain 400 feet

Distance hiked 6 miles

Average hiking time 7 to 9 hours

Today we had to make it from Shira Camp to Baranco Valley. We woke up in Shira above a sea of clouds with an amazing view of Mt. Meru. By lunch time we had hit a 15,700 foot plateau called Lava Tower. It was epic! The view of the summit from our lunch spot brought me to tears. It was the first time I took a second to pause and consider all the work that has gone into this trip. I found myself in awe of the view and the community we have built along the way. It’s quite magical. 

After lunch we trekked to Baranco Valley. We barely made it before sundown. We left Shira at 8:30AM and arrived at Baranco at 6:30PM. That’s a 10 hour day through the high desert. We were whooped. In the morning we head up Baranco Wall and then make our way to our next camp. One foot in front of the other, following the person in front of us, we will make it together. Pamoja Pamoja! TUPO! 

~ Zac West