Mt. Kilimanjaro Series (Part 6)

The Baranco wall.

Baranco camp to Barafu camp.

We are on a free-standing mountain. The best part of the trek is that we can see both Moshi city and the peak at the same time. Normally I wake up before sunrise. This is the time when it is calmest. No clouds, no wind, only chilling cold. The whole Moshi city can be seen as dense formation of stars down below. The stars in the sky showing their power with the ever-winning moon, missing from the war zone. The peak can be easily distinguished by the light from the stars.

As the sun started rising, the enormous Baranco wall felt like falling on us. The Baranco wall is also known as Barranco Breakfast Wall. The first hurdle that you need to do today is crossing the Baranco wall.

In the night itself, when Amani briefed us," Tomorrow keep your sticks in the bag". "You have to use your four limbs". The rocks are not slippery like that of the Himalayas. Instead of fearing the climb, I enjoyed it very much. It was an entertaining climb with good grips throughout.

There is one section of the trail that is referred to as the kissing wall or hugging wall. This reference is made because of the narrowness of the trail at this point. When climbing this portion, you need to flatten against the wall to avoid falling off a steep drop. While it is not difficult, it can be a bit intimidating.

Today, from Baranco camp at 13000' we will have our lunch at Karanga camp some 6hrs walk. From there to Barafu camp, the base camp of Stella peak and Uhuru peak, at 15300'. Its a 10 hrs of journey.

Karanga camp is the last camp where we had ample water for drinking, cooking and washing ourselves. Though the water sorces are quite far and porters had to bring it with bucket on their heads. But after Karanga, there is no water source. The porters had to carry water to Barafu camp from here. Robert instructed us to fill all our bottles. They are not going to give any water at Barafu for washing ourselves. Only drinking and cooking.

To be precise, last night, at Baranco camp, it was the last night we had proper sleep. Today after reaching at evening 5pm, Amani briefed us that they will provide dinner at 6pm. Take rest. We will leave sharp at 11:30pm.

It was 7pm when we finished our dinner. It was blustery. Inside the dinning tent we were just pin drop silent having our food. If this wind prevails, will the trip be cancelled by authority? Will we fall I'll in the midway? May be, we all were having the same doubts. Very little we could eat in this tension and fierce wind. It seemed like we will be blown away.

Amani looked very serious "We are not into much favorable situation. Please try to sleep. We will give you popcorn and hot tea at 11pm"...." Don't be late"

That was the only day he didn't do any medical checkup. And we were relieved. God knows what would have been our oxy reading at such high altitude.

Let's try to sleep.