31 December 2008 – Shira 2 to Lava Tower to Barranco
Best night’s sleep yet. The usual stirrings but no prolonged restlessness. Read both of my little spiritual books at one point however. Slight headache on wake up but cured by water and breakfast. Usual morning routine and away by 0850. Jason still looks terrible but starts 5 mins ahead of us only to be overtaken very quickly. We could still see him behind us for the first couple of hours then we lost sight of him – no news since. Saw a couple of other people coming down the mountain prematurely. Long day!! A plod, a few of us began with that slight hangover again, requiring an ibuprofen. Sam barely slept at all and John carried all her kit. Just a slog really, brief chats with Thomas and James about life, work etc, a bit of info from Limo about plants. An insufficient lunch again, I was definitely feeling the lack of calories by the end of the day. Will now save all my drinks and gels for summit day. Maybe drink something every 15 mins, warm water. Went from warm and clear to mist and hail, to hot again. 8hrs walk up to 4600m. slight headaches and fatigue but we’re all healthy so far for our first night at nearly 4000m. Some very deep and intellectual conversations with Kristina. We share some opinions on life.
More good food and tea, much revived now, two short days preceding summit day. The sky is clear again and we are right under the summit. Can see the town lights below (remember to try and paint from memory) Too cold and weary to go out and photograph (paint with glowing tent in foreground, hills coming in from both sides and towns in the V below)
Today was a good long day to boost confidence for summit day which will be twice as long! So now I’m about to read Le Monde and try to get some sleep. More fun around the table as talk flits between the summit and turds?! More ‘guess who’. Goodnight
1 January 2009
Happy New Year! – Barranco to Karanga
Heri Yumwoka Mpiay!
Pretty good sleep, woken only by the midnight festivities (too cold and tired to get out of our sleeping bags!), appreciated from the inside of our sleeping bags.
Late start due to a shorter day. Had a case of the runs (not that I’ve deposited anything completely solid since I’ve been here) Was aware of this for most of the day but it wasn’t a problem. Barranco wall was fun (if a little crowded, despite having left later to avoid the crowds) and again today, the scenery was stunning. We passed through seneca and scrub with waterfalls and green valleys into moon like landscapes. From warmth to cool mist. It almost snowed. Oh yes, and whilst packing up this morning, heard the roar of an avalanche (sounded like a heavy truck arriving) ducked out of the tent in time to see the clouds of ‘smoke’ billowing from one of the summit glaciers. Cool to watch from a distance at least!
Today was tough. Acclimatisation no longer appears to be a problem for most, however the day was too long without food. I must bring snacks next time I do something like this. The group has gelled well, plenty of banter and intelligent conversation. It’s amazing how much I’ve missed that and how little opportunity I get for that at home/work.
Very undulating today , the guides usually underestimate the time it will take us on short days but we should be used to that by now!
Some steep ascents and descents, but I was pleased to find out I’m no less comfortable on the rock than I was ages ago. Also pleased that the weight of a rucksack isn’t giving me trouble. Eventually into camp, two rapid trips to the toilet! But some immodium and food later I feel much better. More ‘guess who’ and summit talk around the table. I think we’re all excited/nervous about it now. Will be a very long day and I am slightly concerned about the limited water/food availability. Stunning view tonight out to the WSW of a silhouetted Meru. Some storms on the horizon, and a large town that I assume is Arusha. The summit of Kili looms large and clear over the campsite. Looking forward to a good night sleep and feeling fit tomorrow. Onto the summit tomorrow night!! Lala somala bwana.
Stuart Westwood 