Day 6 -Kili Babes prepare for the summit in Barafu camp
Karanga Camp (4040 m) to Barafu Camp (4640 m), 3.4 km, elevation 600 m, 2 hrs 35 min but for me, it was 3 hrs. This day was sweet, short, and easy. Charles was right for once!
It was a long, dusty road to Barafu, and as we ascended, the rock formations changed and became flatter. The elevation we would need for the summit hike, which was later that night or the next morning, was lost as we had to hike downhill to our tents. We arrived early and were put to bed after eating lunch. The afternoon sun was shining directly into our tents and into our eyes, making it feel like a blast furnace. I was the only one to fall asleep, which surprised everyone. Sid and Trish were shocked that I could have been working out flat out in the heat. We were soaked in perspiration. I fell asleep. because of fatigue or stress or perhaps both
Kilimanjaro was so close to us that we could almost touch it. It had an imposing, magnificent appearance and she was gleaming in the sunlight. Although we did not see much snow, one can never predict the weather in the mountains. At 5:30 a.m., we were awakened for tea and an early dinner before being asked to go back to bed until 11:00. However, we set an alarm for 10:00 pm so that we could get dressed and wear everything. This was the day when we would wear everything we had purchased. I intended to wear my brand-new fluffy MARMOT blue down coat as the top jacket. I wore layers. A mid-layer down jacket, 4 for the top and 4 for the bottom, followed by my new blue.
I wore anything I could find, including merino socks over my tights, toe warmers inside my shoes, inner liner gloves, and ski gloves, along with hand warmers, ear muffs, and two beanies. The day bag was smaller; it only contained my Nalgene bottle, a bladder, an extra pair of thermal socks, and two protein bars. Charles checked our head torches as we prepared and had tea. As Enock played some gospel music, we nervously wished each other. I mentally prayed that the five of us should summit and return unscathed. Charles, Simon, Enock, Peter, and Emmanuel make up our summit team.
The mercury was tipping lower and lower as we were heading out. How different was this from the afternoon? It was around -15 degrees, so your water will probably freeze and your phone’s battery might run out. In fact, my phone was firmly attached to a hand warmer in the pocket of my jacket, but I knew that I wouldn’t have the energy to pull it out.Which also meant, my gloves and stuff need to come off! Trish had a Go- Pro and Sid had iphone 14 and he loves his pictures!
At 12:30 a.m., the Killi Babes begin their ascent! Day 7 of the summit continues!