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

Ending elevation 12,900 feet

Elevation gain 400 feet

Distance hiked 6 miles

Average hiking time 7 to 9 hours

DAY #5 : Baranco Valley

“Beyond the Adventure”

This morning, we left Shira Camp at 8:30 am to reach Barranco camp at 4:30 pm. On our way I learned things from others: walking “pole pole" means many things to someone who is climbing Kilimanjaro. The first day of this trip I saw people from different groups walking as if in a competition, but today we met them and reached the camp before they did because our team still the very best one 👌🏼. Walking as a team, taking care of each other, wisdom, love are all characteristics of our team. We are one family. On our way up this mountain, I see porters tourists and guides. Sometimes I look at them walking with their bags and the image that comes to me is people who leaves their homes because of the war in some areas in my country (Congo); May God give us peace. I really am enjoying this trip, it is one of my dreams to climb Kilimanjaro mountain. My only ambition is to reach the top which is why I am stronger than a rock - let me tell you that you I do take pictures - every time until reach the top. To be continued…

Together Together.

~ Frank Moses (YL Congo)