Day 7: Climb to Karanga Camp

MOUNTAIN ROUTE OVERVIEW

After breakfast the first big challenge is waiting for you. We climb up and over the Great Barranco Wall, topping out at about 14,500 ft. before dropping to our camp at the Karanga. Therefore it is a good idea to start early to avoid a traffic jam at the wall. You will need about 1 to 2 hours to climb the Great Barranco Wall. Behind the wall a barren and rocky plateau is waiting for you.  Enjoy the breathtaking views of Kibo and the three southern glaciers.

The path then continues on gravel and sand through the rocky moors. Again and again you will pass streams, pastures and giant stone cross herbs. After 2-3 hours you reach the Karanga Camp.  As you climb up hill after hill, you have a good outlook at the upcoming route. At the camp enjoy your lunch. Use the rest of the day to rest.  This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

CLIMB DATA

 Begin ~ 12,900 Feet / 3,900 Meters

 End ~ 13,300 Feet / 4,055 Meters

 Elevation Gain / Loss 1,300 Feet  / 1,000 Feet

 Time Average 4-6 Hours

 Distance Hiked 3 Miles / 5 Km

CLIMBER BLOG ENTRY

Last night we camped at the base of Barranco Wall. It was absolutely amazing. We’ve been above the clouds for two days now and in camp you look ahead and it’s the wall of Barranco. And it is very, very daunting looking, but up above is Mount Kilimanjaro. We can actually see where we are going to be climbing late late late tomorrow night. Below is the clouds are so thick but Mount Meru is sticking up. It kind of makes me wonder what you all are doing down there underneath the clouds. We all love you and miss you very much.

I have never in my life seen stars like this. You can see the Milky Way so clearly you feel like you could reach out and touch it. I am reminded of Psalm 8 — When I consider the stars, the moon and the work of your fingers, how is it Lord that you would ever think of me?

Last night it was in the high 20°s F. We were all very cold and very tired. Some of us are dealing with mountain headaches but all in all, everybody’s doing great.

This morning, we started climbing Barranco Wall. It was very hard but very victorious. Everybody made it just fine. From camp it looked like it was just straight up. Then, there was a lot of trekking. We got out our poles today and now we’re camped at Karanga. We can still see the clouds and sun shining. We are going to have a chance to take a nap, and Mount Kilimanjaro is right there where we can all see it.

This trip has meant so much to me. I really am knowing that it is going to breathe life into me. The favorite part of this trip for me is I get to experience an adventure of a lifetime with my son.

God bless you all. We love you.

High-ho and away we go,

Ash