QBLOG #41 Kibo

Horombo Hut, 3720 Meters (12,205 ft.), 07:00 a.m. 31 Aug 06,



Again, we are roused for breakfast. We request some hot water with which to sponge bathe. It is cold, but washing our hair, face and arm pits makes us feel wonderful. Breakfast is quick. Neither Eddie or I feel very hungry, thought we are encouraged to eat as much as we can. We've switched to tea, mostly because we are out of coffee and some because it feels better once it settles. It's interesting what the altitude can do to you.



We are off to our next destination, Kibo Huts. The day is bright and clear. As we begin to walk the geography really begins to change. Plants and rock become fewer. We stop for a picture with Uhuru peak in the back ground. The distance is deceiving. We peak over a hill and the land in front of us looks barren. Clouds have begun to form and the air begins to get cooler. Soon we are putting our jackets and gloves and caps on. It gets down right cold. Moving is becoming more difficult. We move into the moon like landscape and see that previous trekkers have gathered rocks together. Some form these strange towers, rock upon rock, that seem to be suspended by a force we are unable to see. Others are gathered to create letters and words, names of people and places and dates. Both Eddie and I think it was certainly done on the way down. There is no energy in our bodies to waste.



The hike is slow and though the scenery seems bare, there is an interesting interaction between the clouds, the sun and the ground we walk. Shadows are formed and then disappear. Clouds roll in creating different shapes and images. Any ray of sunshine is welcome, though its warmth is minimal, the light it brings is like a small reward. We trek on. Slowly. Always slowly. I try to keep this rhythm in my head. One - Two - Three - Four, One - Two - Three - Four. It repeats over and over and over. My legs are getting heavy and I am suddenly thankful that I did not bring the pair of boots that I was originally going to. They weighed about 6 pounds a piece. The ones I have are at about 2.5 pounds a piece. I laugh to myself.


The first site of Kibo are some tents set amidst a group of rocks shielding them from the wind. We are at 4700 Meters (15400 ft) It has become a bit breezy. Any water here has to be brought up as there are no streams. The last stream of fresh water was just above Horombo. It has taken us almost 6 hours to reach Kibo today. We are cold and tired.

We sign in and are assigned a bed. We are placed in a dorm with 14 beds of which 8 are occupied by a group from Austria. The windows are open and it is freezing. The Austrians quickly devise a plan to shut the windows and the room immediately becomes warm. Andrew is already in bed asleep. Ben arrives sometime later. He is still not feeling 100%. We sleep for an hour or two before we are waken for dinner. Dinner is served in the room. I am able to practice my German for about 10 minutes worth of conversation with the Austrians. We discover that Ben also speaks German. Eddie speaks more than I do, but has remained silent. The language is switched to English and we enjoy a simple but lively dinner. It is early, but we will begin our journey to Uhuru at midnight. Soon the room is quiet and each of us falls into our own dreams about the success we hope to have in the morning.

to be continued....
Robert