Kili Climb--Day 3--Shira to Barranco

 View of Mt. Meru from Shira Camp

Porters on the Shira Plateau

"Pole, pole" is what the guides keep reminding us. Slowly, slowly. That's how we climb this mountain. After more song and dance, we headed out of Shira Camp on a nice gradual trail up the plateau. After lunch, the group split in two: those who wanted the lower route to the next camp, and those who wanted to take the higher route via Lava Tower. Twelve of us went high, while Doug and Daryn, who was suffering from GI issues, went low. When we arrived at the base of the tower, five of us (Steve, AJ, Travis, Jan and I) opted for the scramble to the top of the 200-foot tower at 15,400'. Someone had to represent the women on our team, so off I went. The oldest woman on the trip by 13 years, I'm surprised the porters didn't dub me "Grandma."

And quite a scramble it was. Three sections really got my heart racing as Eric was encouraging me to choose holds that felt way beyond my wing span. Three guides spotted us and occasionally offered a helpful hand as we made our way to the top. With a sick feeling, I realized we would have to descend the same pitches. From the peak of the Tower, the views of the upper part of the mountain and the Western Breach were stupendous, and I could wave to Tom far below.

 Jan climbing the Tower

Sitting on the very top rock

Looking down to Tom below (red jacket in center)

I did indeed survive the descent, and then after a short uphill stint, it was down, down, down to Barranco Camp. The group got spread out, and loud peals of thunder threatened an imminent drenching. Fortunately, most of the storm was below us, but we did hike through about an hour of rain. Camp just never seemed to appear around the next corner.

 Descending towards Barranco Camp

Finally, an enormous speckling of blue, green, and orange tents came into view: Barranco Camp.

Senecio cacti, hikers with umbrellas, Barranco Camp

Utterly exhausted, I shoved both feet into the little bowl of warm water that was delivered to our tent. Long day. High point: 15,400'. Camp elevation: 13,100'. We acclimate by climbing high and sleeping low.

Doug, climbing with a prosthetic leg, pulled into camp almost two hours later. What an inspiration--his spirit never sags. He really made us laugh (and then laugh/cry) at dinner when he volunteered to cover his stumps with ketchup and run through the safari lodge yelling, "Lion, lion." This is an entertaining group. Tomorrow we tackle the Barranco Wall.

PM: pulse: 78; blood/oxygen level: 92%