Kilimanjaro Day 4

August 6, 2024

Part I – Trek to Lava Tower

Our day began at 06:00, as usual, with the crew waking us up with coffee delivered right to our tents. The routine was starting to feel comforting, despite the early hour. Doug reported a solid night’s sleep, but the rest of us weren’t so lucky. David barely slept at all, and Bob only managed an hour of sleep, at best. It was a tough night for both of them, and we suspect it might have had something to do with the hot ginger drink the chef prepared for us before bed. Ginger, boiled in water, was meant to relax us, but for David and Bob, it seemed to have the opposite effect, leaving them restless and wide awake.

Breakfast was familiar: the same porridge we’ve had for the last few mornings. At this point, it was clear we were settling into the repetitive rhythm of trail life. However, one thing that wasn’t getting easier was the altitude-induced bathroom routine. As funny as it sounds, shitting at altitude has become a full-time job! Our bodies are adjusting to the elevation, but it’s clear that even something as simple as using the toilet requires extra effort up here.

We got a bit of a late start today, not hitting the trail until 09:00. But it was hard to complain, given the perfect weather. The sun was shining, and the sky was clear, with no hint of the rain. So far, we’ve been incredibly fortunate with the weather—just a light drizzle on the first day, and since then, nothing but fantastic sunny conditions.

STATS:

• Time: 3 hours 15 minutes

• Distance: 5.4 km / 3.1 miles

• Steps: 11,175

• Cadence: 52 steps/min

• Pace: 59.1 mins/mile

• Ascent: 1,492 ft / 454.7 m

Today's trek was steady, and thankfully, the weather remained on our side. As we hiked, David and Bob both started feeling some “hot spot” blisters forming. Luckily, Bob was incredibly prepared for any blister-related emergencies, packing a full first-aid kit dedicated to foot care. His cousin Mike had drilled it into him: take care of blisters as soon as you suspect them, or they’ll become a real problem later. We made a quick stop on the trail for some first aid, patching up the spots before they got worse.

By 12:15, we arrived at Lava Tower, towering at 15,190 ft / 4630 m. It was a surreal feeling to be surrounded by such rugged beauty, knowing we were so high above sea level. We took a well-deserved break and had lunch, which included a hot cucumber soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, and smoked chicken with a side of carrots and peppers. Dessert was fresh, juicy orange slices—a refreshing finish to the meal.

Part II – The Descent to Baranko Camp

After lunch, we packed up and set off again, this time descending toward Baranko Camp. The next leg of the trek was largely downhill, which sounds easier, but the rocky terrain made it tricky.

The trek to Baranko Camp was a lot of rock hopping and negotiating steep declines, with only a few sections of uphill climbing to break things up. Koby made a point of saying that for him, uphill was tough, but downhill was even worse. The constant pounding on the joints as we navigated the descent made his knees scream in protest. It’s a sentiment I think we all shared by the time we arrived at camp.

Dinner tonight started with a warming tomato and onion soup, but for some reason, Bob didn’t manage to record the rest of the meal. Maybe the fatigue got the better of him, or perhaps the bizarre events that unfolded upon our arrival distracted me.

When we reached Baranko Camp, Bob noticed an unexpected sight: a Japanese man who had arrived just behind us, fully dressed in a business suit. And I mean a legitimate, tailored men’s suit! He was wearing a crisp white button-down shirt, a red tie, a navy blue suit jacket and pants, and—get this—tan dress boots. We all did a double-take. Who hikes Kilimanjaro in formal wear?! He had a camera crew with him, so we assume he must be a YouTuber or social media influencer, filming some kind of outrageous stunt or content. It was surreal to witness someone so out of place, yet so composed in such a rugged environment.

STATS:

• Distance: 2.31 miles

• Time: 2 hours 26 minutes

• Steps: 19,000

• Cadence: 40 steps/min

• Pace: 53 min/mile

• Ascent: -2,099 ft / 640 m(descent from Lava Tower)

As the sun began to set, we settled into camp, still talking about the mysterious man in the suit, wondering what his story could be. Tomorrow’s trek promises to be even more challenging, but for now, we’re just grateful for the clear skies and the camaraderie that’s carrying us through.

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