Kili Climb--Day 4--Barranco to Karanga

Climbers from other groups looked on in envy as our porters and guides again broke into lively song and dance before we hit the trail. First chore out of camp today was to tackle the 800 vertical feet of the Barranco Wall. We collapsed our trekking poles and lashed them to our packs--we would need our hands free for this one. It was certainly a very efficient way to knock off vertical feet--scrambling up rocks and around corners, often being offered a Tanzanian hand just when you needed it most. Our local guides have almost a sixth sense; they know just what needs to be done and when. And they do it all with a huge smile.

On our way up the Wall

 Porters spotting from below

 Anna coming around the corner

Eric stands on a rock at the top of the Wall, awaiting our arrival

At the top of the Barranco Wall, we sat in the warm sun on a huge rock slab and soaked in the exquisite views of Mt. Meru. 

 Mt. Meru

The rest of the trail to Karanga Camp rolled up and down hills, gully to gully. I started chatting with Eric, and soon we were about 15 minutes ahead of the rest of the group. Some of the downhill was quite slippery. The porters, often in sneakers, tiptoed through, carefully balancing huge loads on their heads and backs.

 No fancy footwear or gear, just pure strength and determination

Karanga is even busier than Barranco, and once again AAI had sent porters ahead to stake out the prime real estate. It was a shorter day, so we ate a huge hot lunch at camp at 2:00 during a rainstorm and then luxuriously napped until another enormous meal at 7:00. I've certainly stored up enough reserves in my food tank. Took a 125mg Diamox at lunch and will continue to take it tomorrow so I can avoid any further high-altitude headaches. We're now at 13,300' and will climb to just under 16,000' at Kosovo Camp tomorrow before we begin our summit bid tomorrow night.

PM: pulse: 64; blood/oxygen level: 90%