Mt. Kilimanjaro Random
Picture of the week 31
This is Arrow Glacier Camp and the Western Breach with our yellow Eureka Scorpion Tent sitting ready and waiting. The line up the Breach is directly above the orange tent although it did zigzag to the left out of the photograph occasionally.
We weren’t afraid exactly but were overcome with a thunderous anticipation of the, as yet, unknown challenges of the breach climb. I’d never seen any pictures of the scrambling sections or the type of exposure to falls we could be hiking through. All my trusted guide would say is, “If you go slowly, the mountain is …
Date: August 1st, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 29
Looking back at Lava Tower during our ascent to Arrow Glacier Camp the Shira Plateau can be seen off in the distance over 20 miles away and Lava Tower Camp is the light beige patch to the right of the tower.
Even with the absence of most plant life, the textures and colors of the geology were a constantly changing visual kaleidoscope.
Date: July 16th, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 27
Last week I spoke of the “frigid shade” at Lava Tower. It was that crisp morning we awoke to find our water bottles frozen as we dug into the deepest corners of our trusty packs to find the goose down jackets, warm hats and expedition mittens we’d dutifully carried over the last six days. When the sun finally reached us, however, we were back to fleece jackets with the zippers part way down.
Note: That’s Lava Tower reflected in my son’s glasses.
Date: July 2nd, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 25
Nestled behind an exposed rib of stone that separates the tents from the loos at Lava Tower, you can see the black public outhouses that my research told me to avoid if at all possible.
I heeded the warnings and chose an outfitter (Tusker) that carried their own for clients. It must be said that I smiled every time I sat in our orange retreat looking out the window at the awesome scenery knowing we had chosen wisely.
Date: June 19th, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 23
This is the top of Lava Tower. We climbed it as practice for the, now closed, Western Breach.
Trekkers using the Lemosho route still stop at Lava Tower Camp to assist acclimatization and the heartier souls no doubt continue to scale the tower.
Pictured is my son who found the spot on the basically flat top that was as far from all the edges as he could get.
Date: June 4th, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 30
This picture was taken as I stood in oxygen starved amazement at an altitude of 16,000 feet. This is one of my favorite photographs because not only is it a spectacular image of our hard working porters cresting the last rock strewn ridge into Arrow Glacier with the Shira Plateau and Mt. Meru in the distance but it reminds me of the awesome feelings we encountered of accomplishment mixed with the trepidations of the Western Breach climb we would attempt the following morning.
Date: August 1st, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 28
The serpentine line etched in the topography describes the way to Arrow Glacier Camp from Lava Tower. It looks to be a simple 2 hour uphill jaunt but the 1000 foot gain in altitude places you at 16,000 feet and we found ourselves speaking in one word sentences because of the lack of oxygen in the rarified air.
Date: July 9th, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 26
Lava Tower Camp remains blanked in a frigid shade provided by the
immenseness of Kilimanjaro until late morning. Only then do the suns rays begin
to delicately paint the tips of the surrounding landscape with equatorial warmth
as a new day tantalizingly unfolds before your eyes.
Date: June 25th, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 24
These multicolored cocoons housed the South African Team and my son and I from Wisconsin at Lava Tower. The bright yellow ones were ours of course but after meeting many different people from around the world, only one man from England, after introductions said, “Ah…Cheeseheads”.
Date: June 11th, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 22
Normally the views of Lava Tower Camp are taken from ground level with tents in the foreground and giant mastiff in the background but having scrambled up to the top and talking myself into edging this close to the 300 foot drop; I had to include this unique view in my weekly photographs.
Date: May 30th, 2007 |
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