Kili Team is at Barafu High Camp

December 22nd, 2017

It is just about ‘go-time’ over on Kilimanjaro. We just heard from IMG guide Phunuru who is up at Barafu High Camp with a very excited team. As expected, they made easy work of the 3-hour hike up to high camp this morning. The Team is now packing up for summit night and relaxing in their tents. An early dinner and then they will try to grab a little sleep. But sleep is scarce up here. Not only is the air thinner at 15,100 feet, but the excitement of the night looms in the front of everyone’s minds. Not to mention you lay down in your tent at 6pm knowing you’ll be waking up at 11pm. This combination is not especially conducive to a good night’s sleep for anyone climbing Kili. Doesn’t really matter though as all the preparation is behind them at this point and all they need to do is get some time off the feet and continue hydrating. Another unique camp, Barafu – meaning ‘ice’ in Swahili which is fitting – sits on a rugged, rocky ridge with excellent views. Its also cold here after dark. During the afternoon, you can watch weary summit climbers passing through camp knowing that you’ll be in their shoes (or perhaps ‘boots’) the same time tomorrow. Tonight all the hard work of training and prepping will be put to good use as the Team sets off for the summit around midnight (Tanzania time). We wish the Team good luck and a great climb and look forward to hearing from Phunuru from the summit early tomorrow morning.

Dustin Balderach