Jun
The Roadmonkey team has reached Barafu Camp about 15,000 ft., or 4,600 meters, after 2 days of short but very strenuous hikes up hills and back down into valleys. We came through some light snow and are overlooking a cloud layer below us that has been just stunning to have as a backdrop for our climb to the summit later this evening.
Day 4: A short, spirited hike into the valley of the shadow of...Kilimanjaro's summit.
Backtracking one day, yesterday we reached Karranga Camp, a pleasant, short day hike from the previous camp. Arriving with legs still fresh, we had a lovely breakthrough sing-along of sorts with our guides and porters after they asked us to share their lunch of Ugali, the Tanzanian staple made from maize, and a beef sauce. Despite their huge workloads, the porters arrive at camp each day seemingly impervious to cold or fatigue; they manage to assemble and welcome us with songs as we arrive.
Group sing-along: Porters and Roadmonkeys, harmonizing in Swahili.
So on this day, after the communal meal, the porters and guides began singing, and we all climbed onto the largest rock we could find, and sang along with them…in Swahili. Whatever. It was a genuinely gratifying bonding experience.
from left: Susan, Jolie, Rollie, Gerald (one of our mountain guides), Stef & Christine, after dancing in an impromptu conga line.
Okay, back to the present: Today, June 25, we reached our camp at about 2pm. We just had lunch and are resting now for an early dinner at 5pm. Then, we will sleep or try to sleep, until 11pm, whereupon we will wake and gather our gear to begin climbing at around midnight, for around 8 or 9 hours, until we reach Uhuru Peak. Uhuru (“independence,” in Swahili) is the highest point in Africa, at 19,345 ft., or 5,896 meters.
And so we begin our toughest day at midnight.
Illinois in the house: Jolie "Mother" Altman, originally from Highland Park, and Paul "Roadmonkey" von Zielbauer, born & raised in Aurora, chillin' at 15,000 feet. (photo: Christine Burke)
Many of us are feeling very fatigued because we have not gotten much sleep, and despite our excellent guide from Tanzania Journeys (our guiding company), and our porters who have all been magnificent, generous and gracious hosts and assistants and helpers, many of us are feeling the effect of 5 days of hiking and lack of sleep and generally putting our bodies to a mental and physical test that i daresay most of us haven’t ever quite experienced. But we remain in anticipatory high spirits.
As they say in Swahili, Hakuna matata. “No problem.”
Our excellent lead Kilimanjaro guide, Goodluck Charles -- yes, that's his real name -- and Roadmonkey expedition co-leader Stef Levner. (photo: Christine Burke)
Look for another post from the peak of Kilimanjaro in about 12 hours.
Goodnight and best wishes,
Paul
