September 18, 2026
Max Bond reports that today was challenging, as they hit new personal altitude records for most of the team and they also had some rain in the afternoon. The day started sunny as they departed Shira Camp, but along the way clouds filled in. At about 14,000 feet the trail forks, with the porters and camp staff taking the low trail with the duffel bags and camping gear, and the guides and climbers taking the high trail up to the Lava Tower at over 14,500 feet. This is great acclimatization…”climb high, sleep low”. After a lunch break at Lava Tower the climbers along with Max, Kassim, and our Chagga guides descended down into the Great Barranco (valley) where the camp is located at about 13,000 feet, hitting the rain along the way. Tomorrow the team will climb the steep trail out of the Barranco valley and continue their traverse around the south side of Kilimanjaro, heading for Karanga, also about 13,000 feet. It’s all part of the formula to ensure that the team will be well acclimatized and ready when it comes time to go to the summit!
Departing Shira Camp (Ang Jangbu)
Lava Tower (Max Bond)
Descending into the Barranco valley from Lava Tower (Max Bond)
Arriving Barranco Camp (Ang Jangbu)