Day 4: Climb to Shira Camp

MOUNTAIN ROUTE OVERVIEW

Today is a shorter day that starts with climbing up a steep ridge to a small cliff named Picnic Rock. Climbers will start in the moorland zone which is above the rainforest and clouds. As our climbers hike up the steep ridge, they’ll be rewarded with a sweeping view of Machame Camp and Machame Village. The air will become increasingly thin as they reach the halfway point and vegetation will slowly give way to black lava and sand. The trail continues up and up pst small mountain streams, rocky walls, and deep ravines. Shira Camp is in the middle of the Shira Plateau. Climbers will have views of Mount Meru and Kibo from camp is the weather is good!!

MOUNTAIN ROUTE STATS

Starting elevation 9,900 feet

Ending elevation 12,500 feet

Elevation gain 2,600 feet

Distance hiked 5 miles

Average hiking time 5 to 7 hours

Today was a shorter day on trail, but incredibly rich with conversations and experiences. 

My high of the day started last night when Bruce, one of our YL African teammates from Rwanda, prayed last night in his native language. As he prayed in a language I could not understand, I realized that it was the first time my mind had paused for the day. After a busy morning of preparing gear, driving to the trailhead gate, and 7 hours of hiking I realized that I had been “going” all day, and Bruce’s prayer was the invitation I needed to “stop” - to rest and reflect. 

It’s easy for me to stay in “go mode” and let the significance of an experience slip by. So today, I tried to stay in “pause mode”. Even while moving I wanted to have a presence of mind and heart to receive the experience of this climb, this community, and whatever God might have for me. 

On the trail, I enjoyed several conversations with fellow climbers, and specifically with Zach; we talked about getting stuck in the grind of “go mode” and how this experience is an invitation to pause, rest, and maybe to experience the peace of God in a new way. 

We made great time today, coming into camp early at around 4pm. So, the late evening had me sitting with the peak of Kilimanjaro behind me, enjoying chapter 1 of a good “new” book (The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning). 

And just now, I’m about to head out and watch a beautiful sunset, above the clouds covering the rainforest we trekked through on day 1. 

This is a rich moment of pause. 

Journal Entry by Andy Morrison