Mt. Kilimanjaro - Day 5

Leaving the Baranque Valley, ascending up a 2,000' foot
cliff, across an old glacier flow, and finishing up well
above the Barafu hut, we had a long day with only 4 hours of
rest thereafter, as we prepared for the mighty Summit Attempt.

Altitude Change Day 5 - 13,000'- 15,900'
 

- It was so bitterly cold in the
morning, this porter climbed hundreds
of feet up the cliff to get into the sun
as early as possible. Since we were in a
valley, the sun had to clear one side of the
high walls before it would start working its
way down the other wall to us - hence, the
actual direct late was very late in coming.


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An early morning shot of the Kibo peak.
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We break camp to embark upon a very
long day+night+day of near constant
hiking.
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Up the 2000' foot high Baranque wall
we ascended, on our way to Barafu.
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Mehdi displays his puniness beside
some very cool rock gradients.
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Cresting the Baranque wall, we see our
goal yet again.
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The way way fairly slow going at
15,000'. With much altitude to go,
we are already higher than any point
in the lower 48.
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The head guide Masood carries a big
pack without a care in the world.
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Bonnie and Walt at the extreme
top of Baranque.
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The world below is lost to us.
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Rocky outcroppings and stone roofs
shelter us from the non-warm,
indirect light.
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A lovely glacial stream.
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Through the glacial valley we go.
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Marya ponders on how easy this
is to her mightiness.
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