Day 5: Climb to Barranco Camp

This morning came with a mix of excitement and nerves- today we would climb higher than any altitude our group had ever reached before. The trail unfolded into yet another completely different landscape, this time weaving through rugged lava rocks. We joked that it looked like we were walking on the moon. The incline was gradual and way less steep than yesterday, and our spirits were high- we were moving steadily and feeling strong.

Eventually, Gabo stopped us and pointed to a peak ahead… he told us that it was Lava Tower! We all exchanged surprised looks- we expected it to be much farther away. The realization brought an instant wave of relief, especially for those who had been worried about the altitude gain.

A little farther down from Lava Tower, we were greeted by four of our incredible porters- Dennis, Charles, Edward, and Alpha. They welcomed us with warm smiles before we sat down for lunch! Refueled and energized, we tackled the final stretch with ease!! 

Reaching Lava Tower was a moment of pure joy. Not only had we surpassed our highest altitude yet, but we did so with grace, patience, and confidence. You could see it on everyone’s faces- the quiet pride of realizing, we’ve got this.

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