Kilimanjaro Day Three: Love In The Air?
Kilimanjaro Day Two: It Only Gets Better
September 27, 2016
Kilimanjaro Day Four: The Moment Of Truth
October 11, 2016
Would the Kilimanjaro lovebird sing?
Unexpected Guest
It seemed as if the morning of Kilimanjaro day three would be off to a bang. I arose to the face of a mysterious woman. We shared an intimate glance. And she finally opened her mouth to say…
“…………………………”
“Oh wait, let me take my earplugs out. I can’t hear you.” I said as I watched her lips move without hearing any words.
She leaned in a bit closer and said…
“I’m sorry, I think”
pause
“I think I have the wrong tent.”
“No problem.” I said. And although I smiled in response, while watching her exit, I wondered to myself…
I think?
I think I have the wrong tent??
Was she indirectly inviting herself in???
Her reaction replayed in my head and I thought—perhaps the outcome may have been different had I responded, “No problem…I think you’re in just the right place.”
My mountain romance prospects were as wilted as these flowers along the Kilimanjaro day three trek.
I sat, alone, and envisioned several possible scenarios of the previous scene, but finally snapped back to reality. At breakfast, I shared my morning events with my trekking partner, we laughed, and were all smiles before beginning the long day.
All smiles at the outset of day three!
Kilimanjaro Day Three: Climb High, Sleep Low
Lava Tower
The plan was to walk from our camp, Shira Cave Camp, to the next, Baranco Camp, with a brief stop at Lava Tower Camp for lunch. After approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes, we arrived at Lava Tower Camp feeling great, especially considering the altitude of 4600m. Seeing that the next camp was just a few hours further and my energy level was still relatively high, I opted to skip lunch at Lava Tower Camp and instead have it upon arrival to Baranco Camp.
Still full of energy—“Look Ma, no hands!”
Well, contrary to what I expected, the next portion of the day proved much more difficult than the first four hours. Although the Baranco Valley provided views of lush vegetation, streams, and waterfalls, the 650+m descent from Lava Tower was filled with rocky, uneven ground. Embarrassingly, I slipped and hit the deck…twice…and even witnessed several porters take spills as well.
A porter pushing through fatigue en route to Baranco Camp
Baranco Camp arrival came just two hours and one minute after leaving Lava Tower. However, maybe I went too fast. Maybe it was the altitude. But whatever the case may have been, once I got to Baranco Camp, I was completely drained.
A waterfall in the Baranco Valley
Approaching Baranco Camp
Immediately after arriving I finally had my lunch, hung my wet clothes out to dry, and decided to rest up until dinner. For the first time since beginning the climb, I felt somewhat nauseous, had a slight headache, and doubt was creeping into my mind. After dinner, I took an aspirin, a chlorophyll supplement, and a potassium supplement. With confidence slightly compromised and unsure of how I would feel in the morning, I headed to bed early…
43 Comments
Oh WOW! Kiliminjaro! Very cool! the pictures themselves look so good, I wonder how it would have been to the naked eye! Is this the most challenging trek you guys have been on? thanks for sharing! 🙂
Yes it was definitely the most challenging thus far…but now I have to push myself to even further limits!
First one I read, and I’ll follow your adventure! I love a good trek and I really need to try this one. There is something incredible to be able to live such an adventure with friends and finding things unexpected! Thanks for sharing your trek story!
You’re so brave for doing that challenging trek! I envy active people like you haha. Love your shots, uhm what phone or camera are you using btw? hihi
Thanks! Most shots were taken with my Canon 600D DSLR.
HAHAHAHAHA! I am so sorry… HAHAHA! I think I have the wrong tent??? That is classic! Yeah, the photos show me how lucky you are to have undertaken a journey to see some of the most beautiful sights anywhere on earth, but something tells this trip will forever be tied with ‘the wrong tent.’ Of course, I mean that in a good way.
Don’t worry, I later laughed about it as well! 🙂
The lovebird closeup is amazing, and loved the Lava Tower perspective! I also blinked a few time at the “i think” part. I mean… what? Was she trying to make herself look better with that?
Your trek looks great, but also super difficult. I’d really love to try something like this at some point.
This looks beautiful. i especially loved the bird photograph in the beginning. I have never seen any mountain so close. It would be interesting to go on such an adventure.
What a great read – love following active people in their adventure journeys! The other time we flew over Kili and it was simply breathtaking, can’t wait to do it!
😀 haha, had to smile about your almost-love affair. Love the write up, I am super interested in trekking Kilimanjaro someday 🙂 Going to browse days 1 and 2 now…
Following your Kilimanjaro trek posts as I am heading there next year. Will need to go slow and steady in this climb. Really like your pictures.
Awesome, you’ll love the trek up. Slow pace and hydrating are the key.
You’re so brave for doing Kilimanjaro trek! It’s not everyone’s cup of tea! Your pictures are breathtaking!
Thank you. The entire experience was exhilarating, especially considering it was a birthday gift to myself.
What a great post about Kilimanjaro! I have been toying with the idea of doing that climb and how much exercise and training I would require to do it. I did giggle at the lady who had the wrong tent. Levity amongst the mountains 🙂
A few good months of training and you’ll be fine. Just make sure you don’t go to the “wrong” tent during your climb 😛
How we would have loved doing such hikes but that surely requires much energy and will. Kudos to you for that. Your pictures are awesome. looking forward to more.
Thanks!
I love the way you write about your trek. The lady in the wrong tent was a pleasant surprise. With all that altitude my ears would probably kill me. Look forward to the next day…..
Wow! That is a brave attempt! I have never done anything so rigorous like this and more than half my life is over. 🙂 Loved the pics you shared with this.
Ah such a sweet story, you should’ve invited her to dinner 😉 love your storytelling, you sure have a way with words!
You’re right I should have! I guess it was so much of a surprise I didn’t have a chance to react quickly enough haha.
Beautiful images and post!
Oh God, what a lovely and beautiful photos. It must have been a really great experience ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっ
It was hard, but definitely amazing.
Awesome read. Shame about the “wrong tent” situation. ?
Well done – what a great post and beautiful pictures. You both were remarkably relaxed about the tent mistake!
Thanks. It was like one of those frozen moments in time 🙂
amazing picture to go with an amazing topic. Kilimanjaro…..
The article is pretty awesome and the interesting write up has made it even more intriguing. It feels like I am along. Haha. Amazing pictures. All the best
Wow.. The Kilimanjaro.. Impressive. I love the mountains. Your pictures are awesome. And a good thing to start the day with a smile! I’m curious about your next day on the Kilimanjaro .
Oh my altitude! Did you get any altitude sickness? I’m going to have to go back and read your other recaps. This looks like an amazing adventure!
Love your writing style! Especially the beginning of the story LOL! So good.. well done!
Your article is so fun to read, and it seems like we are hiking now with you. Full of energy!
Thanks Blair. Join me again next Tuesday as we continue the climb!
This has been a great set of articles and I can’t wait to see if you are going to be fit in the next installment. We just tried to do the Everest Base Camp here in Nepal and it was a challenge for us but we are nearly 70. Laurel did not make it and since we are a team when we travel I turned back along with her. We are going to work through the winter and try again in the Spring.
I’ll be posting the next installment on Tuesday…just keep training and stay positive and I’m sure Laurel will have better luck next spring.
Is that it? It started out good. You should have delved more into the fantasy of if you had said the right thing at the right time. Pics are awesome. Liked the bird.
Can’t dwell on the past…I had to keep it moving just like I did on the mountain haha!
Wow you are brave doing Kilimanjaro! And in a tent! I think I would like to stay a little lower down lol
i love this article. Well created. Keep writting i ll keep in touch.
Thanks, glad you liked it!