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

Wow! WHAT A DAY!!!

Our group leader, John Simon, has made it the mission of his team to keep us safe and acclimate us the best way possible! Yesterday we hiked up to Lava Tower which was over 15,000 ft. but came back down to camp at just over 13,000 ft to give our bodies time to acclimate overnight. 

Our morning began at 7 am which was a little later than normal but greatly appreciated after the taxing day of hiking we had yesterday.  Most of us finally got some much needed sleep but unfortunately our team leader, Zac, was hit hard with the “yucks”.  Like a true team leader, Zac reached deep, deep, deep down and rallied enough strength to make the trek with us from Baranco Valley to the Baranco Wall to our overnight camp at Karanaga-13,900 ft. 

Let’s take a minute and talk about the Baranco Wall…

Seriously the most terrifying thing I have ever done! I may or may not have cried after our first time “hugging the wall” as we crossed over (think white knuckles) but our team has SO much grit and heart and they pulled and cheered and encouraged each other every single step of the way! 

It has been beautiful to see how Witt worries about his Sissy (Lindsey) and is constantly making sure she’s ok. It’s also been wonderful to witness the tight father-daughter bonds between Brad and his daughter Carter and Zac and Zara. Their protective eyes never leave their daughters!  Laura is the ultimate boy mom and is constantly checking on how her two boys are feeling throughout the hikes and making sure they are equipped with chapstick and sunscreen. Mike has been nothing short of a knight in shining armor for his daughter Annalise! 

Annalise had a pretty tough day Tuesday and had to be rushed down to camp but she handled today like a total ROCK STAR! Literally and figuratively!!! 

As we all celebrated completing that part of the 5-6 hour hike, we knew lunch was waiting “just up and over the hill” and let me tell you what a “hill” it was. It was pretty much straight up but the good news was camp was waiting for us at the top 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 and we arrived to fresh made pizza and it was amazing!

We had a long afternoon to rest and refuel for our next two days. Some spent the day taking a nap while others sat in the mess tent sharing stories and playing cards. 

Just before dinner John Simon gathered all of the BEYOND group and they sang 5-6 songs in Swahili. We all danced and clapped along with Mt Kilimanjaro as the backdrop.  I have never seen a group of people radiate more joy! My  cheeks hurt from smiling so big! To conclude they sang ‘What a Friend I have in Jesus’ in Swahili. Can you imagine anything more incredible? I can not and it’s a memory I will cherish the rest of my life!

At dinner tonight Lindsey said it best…we may be a world apart but we are more alike than we are different. We work hard to provide for our families, we have a love for people and we all worship the same God. How GREAT IS OUR GOD?!!!

Tomorrow we are headed up to Barafu camp where we will spend the night. The trek will take us about 5 hours to an elevation of 15,900 ft. I am so very hopeful that we all feel well and that we will continue to pull each other through. We started this adventure together and we want to finish it together!

**I found a special heart shaped rock on our hike yesterday and I think it is indicative of how much love this group already has for each other and this incredible BEYOND team! 

We are better together than we are apart. Today we conquer one more hike up the mountain! 

With a heart full of gratitude,

~ Susan Cayce