Day 6: 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

We awoke in Baranco camp to a new unpleasant traveling companion: the freezing cold. Overnight temperatures had dropped well below freezing. Our best estimate was -10 degrees Celsius, or roughly -18 degrees Fahrenheit.  Refilling water bottles was a race against the ice that was formed in our filter and continued to form in our filled bottles.  This was only the start of a difficult morning, soon to be filled with two hours of climbing and hiking up Baranco wall.  We moved in single file, stopping often on the ascent to allow porters to pass on the narrow trail.  The pace was slow, interrupted by bouts of technical climbing up the rocky face of the wall.

As the air began to warm and we became focused on the present challenge, our spirits lifted. Once we took those final steps over the edge of the wall, we were rewarded with our most stunning views of the mountain yet.  The view of our campsite from the top of the wall was equally stunning.  The remainder of our hike was relatively easy, with some steady uphill runs and descents to match.  Around one of the bends, we were able to see our destination for the day: Karanga Camp. There was another leg to our journey we couldn’t see…. a steep valley directly between us and the camp.  No one hesitated, and we pressed down into the valley, determination painted on all our faces.  Before we knew it, the valley was behind us and our campsite lay before us, promising a late lunch and the opportunity to rest and regain our strength.

While many of us are feeling strong and being powered by miraculously healing, the altitude is still presenting difficulties for the entire team. Pray for safety, continued healing and recovery, and for the endurance we will all need as we close in on our goal!

Bennett Stamper