Day Four The Final Approach

Mawenzi Tarn Camp

Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4303m) to Kibo Hut (4730m) Day Four

I don't know what time it was when I awoke all I know is that it was 5 degrees in the tent and it didn't matter how uncomfortable I was I didn't want move from this warm place I was in. I could hear the bustle of the camp outside and knew there was no point in waiting. The cool air touched my face as I unzipped the tent and straightened by back I got my first glimpse of the morning the pool of water was frozen and glistened white in the morning light the sun was yet to make its appearance. My boots felt cold almost damp, I disliked having them outer tent all night, the sweat from the days walk and then leaving them to sit out in the cold all night. The morning coffee gave my hands some much needed warmth.

Mawenzi Tarn Camp Sunrise

I knew this was going to be a long day, after the acclimatization yesterday we all knew what laid before us, the long walk over the saddle. I think we all kept our thoughts to ourselves, I longed for a warm hot shower, I had never experienced my hands being the color they were now, it did not matter what I did to keep them clean the dirt and dust was beginning to get ground in. Every one gathered for the usual breakfast after which we packed up and began our days walk, ascending over the ridges which never seemed to end. The slow decent to the saddle ensued, once we reached the saddle it was like walking across a slightly uneven table top overlooking the clouds to the right. Slowly slowly nothing goes quick on the way up slow and steady, I was growing used to the weight of my pack not having my camera on my chest was quite luxury. Atilio lead us across the saddle. We walked in silence with our thoughts to ourselves, so many things I thought about one chain of thought lead to another and then to another. Stopping occasionally for photo opportunities, I loved the feeling of being above the clouds, it’s hard to describe a surreal picture so far away from my everyday life. The sun came and went with the passing clouds, the air was colder than I expected.

Ridges of Mawenzi

Down came the hail, so close we were but it felt so far away, visibility disappeared behind a veil of miniature grey rocks that hammered the hood of my rain jacket, cold wet wind swept through me leaving a chill that reached deep. The slow accent, the Kimbo Hut never seemed to get any closer, what appeared so close before had now almost disappeared behind a fog of grey hail. I pulled my hood up around my face which gave me protection from the pounding hail, all I wanted was to finally be there. Looking up I saw the huts and so many people, the camp was situated in a dip just sheltered from the base camp, our tents were already erected. I felt the cold down to my bones, all I wanted to do was curl up and get warm. Emotions ran high that afternoon and evening it was the first time in the days I had been there that I really missed home, the warmth of being around family, it was a lonely feeling being so far away from that heartwarming smile and that loving hug. I guess it’s only natural to feel emotional at 4730m.