Day Three The Welcome Walk

Kikelewa Caves Camp (3679m) to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4303m)  Day Three

Kikelewa Caves Camp

I was not quite sure what to expect when I stepped out of my tent, having arrived after dark the night before. What I saw was not what I expected the terrain was not as treacherous in day light as it was at night. 

 The sun was bright as it broke through the clouds, looking up we could see Mawenzi. Our destination for day three is Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4303m), this days walk was shorter to the previous day which was welcome.

Our walk began as always slow and steady as we approached the ridges of Mawenzi, our path was a gradual incline that took us around the gentler side of the mountain.

Mawenzi Tarn camp

As we crossed over the ridges Mawenzi Tran camp became visible as if the whole camp site was laid in a shallow bowl the mountain acting as the rim, smaller campsites scattered here and there. Situated to one side was a basic looking hut with a radio antenna. Its strange being in the clouds, it’s like experiencing bursts of heavy damp mist that travel around you, one minute visibility relatively clear and the next everything almost disappears. I was eager to see day fours challenge "The Saddle". 

Clouds around Mawenzi

The afternoon's acclimatization training was going to take us up a ridge to 4421m high, which weather permitting would give us a good view of the saddle and possibly Kimbo Hut. The zigzag path got steeper as walking turned to gentle climbing, the weather was not the best but what we saw gave us plenty to think about.

The Saddle Kilimanjaro

The saddle was vast it stretched for what appeared to be miles, across it laid a thin line almost string like, which was that path we were soon to take, this gave the scene a sense of perspective.

The evening drew in and the cooler air grew colder and damper, the temperature tonight was going to drop below freezing.