Rongai Route up Kili - Day 3

After a good night's sleep (except for some weird dreams!) had another scrumptious breaky and hit the 'road'!!! Funny, how altitude can also affect your dreams. We couldn't help discussing them over lunch. I remember one of mine; I had to get married in a chapel on the summit to a man I didn't know. He didn't want to get married to me so despite me not even knowing the guy I was chasing him like crazy in my wedding gown around this chapel which seemed to have grown into a church!!!! Effects of altitude. We started blaming anything to it for a laugh :)

We left our campsite and the wonderful scenery of giant senecios proceeding upwards and further upwards, always pole pole. The sun was getting powerful by the minute. In no time the back of my arms burnt like crazy. Factor 50+ was becoming a must. One point it was clear blue sun-kissed sky next the clouds just draped us with their heavy dewy mantles. So that in one instant we were baking the next we were shivering and in gloves, hat and all!!

At Mawenzi Turn our campsite was already up and ready. It was amazing watching the porters carry all that stuff on their heads and backs. They must have been carrying at least 15kgs and yet they just dashed past us even on the steepest of all climbs. We couldn't help but stop to make way, cry out 'jumbo!' to them and let them pass. Oh yeah, I def prefer my sitting down job in an air-cond office....well, ehhmmm...at least just being a mountain climber with just a day-pack on my shouldersAt the camp which had a little lake beside it (that's why 'Turn') we had has yet another delicious lunch....gosh, Dennis was spoiling us or not?! This time our acclimitisation was all about going up a steep scree slope, followed by some scrambling, then walk/scramble over one of Mawenzi's ridges!! It was quite a breath-taking experience I must say. Although scary I enjoyed it and got, especially Kibo's view infront of us which was becoming larger and larger. We could also see our next day's camp site, Kibo from that distance. Mawenzi's highest peak stood tall adjacent to the ridge we were all standing upon. We skidded our way down back to the camp again so we ate and slept at 4330m that night.

I must point point the lavish new long drops at this campsite which not only were made of concrete but also had parque walls and we were actually peeing and pooing right into a sheer drop as they were situated at the very edge or a crevice :) :) :)

After dinner both Tosha and Ibrahim briefed us for the 'semi-final' night but left any questions of the final night for the following day, leaving us all anxious to know more.

The nights were getting colder. I had to wear my thermals + sweatshirt and cotton trousers to keep warm in my season 4 sleeping bag + silk liner. Ok, I know but then I sucker for cold nights! Oh, and couldn't do without me bedsocks, of course!!! But then what is cold compared to being ill? nothing. I was glad to add layers rather then be sick, unlike a girl from the other team, unfortunately.

We woke up the next day by the crowing sound of large black ravens who seem to be related to the vulture family. Oh, they were so cute ! ! ! !