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The following is a list
of camps and descriptions that we stayed at while hiking up the Shira
route.
Base
Camp is located at 6500 feet among lush vegetation. During certain
times of the year elephants and herds of animals can be seen in this
area. During clear days stunning views of Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro
can be seen. There are some small roads and trails in this area. Several
trails lead up to small mountains from which you can get excellent views
of the African plains and surrounding mountains.
Camp
I is located at 9000 feet. The jungle extended all the way from base
camp to about 10,000 feet on the mountain. The trail is meanders its way
through the jungle and slowly climbs to this camp. Hiking time to Camp I
is about 5 or 6 hours if you have to deal with the mud and rainy
conditions.
Camp
II
is located among lava flows in a vast valley between several
lower ridges and higher ridges that lead to the enormous Kilimanjaro.
This camp is free of the jungle and in the lower heath zone. You
will find small bushes and grass at this camp. Normally the bushes are
quite tall at this location but a recent fire came through here and
burned many of the bushes. This
camp is located at 11,500 feet. Hiking time today is between 6 and 8
hours.
Camp
III
is called the Fischer camp named after Scott Fisher, the
Mountain Madness guide who pioneered this particular route up Kili. This
camp is located at the upper Heath zone. This means you will still have
bushes growing but you will also pick up a unique native plant to the
slopes of Kilamanjaro. This plant is called the Giant Ground Sel or (Senecio
kilamanjarii). This unique plant looks somewhat like a saguaro
cactus found in the deserts of Arizona. It is tall and has several
forked vertical branches. There
are several small streams nearby and lots of rocks. This camp elevation
is 12,300 feet. Hiking time today is between 4 and 6 hours.
Camp
IV is called the Lava Tower Camp. This camp is located about 30
minutes walking time below a large lava formation. Camp here is among
bare ground and rocks with a few tufts of grass. At this point you are
in the base of one side of Kilimanjaro. From this comp you can see
exactly where you need to walk, and you can see just how steep it will
be. If you look carefully you will be able to see a glacier that roughly
resembles an arrow. This is where your next camp will be. You can get
some excellent sun setting photos at this camp, provided you are not
clouded in. From here you
can see approximately where the summit is. Know that you still have over
5000 feet to get there. This camp elevation is about 14,300 feet. Hiking
time today is about 5 to 7 hours.
Camp
V
is called the Arrow Glacier Camp. This is the shortest hiking day
of the trek. Expect to camp in and near snow. It is a miserable camp if
it is raining or snowing. From here you stare at a wall of the mountain
that rises 3500 vertical feet. Know that the next day you have to climb
this entire vertical wall to the crater rim.
From this camp, it is very impressive to look up at the sheer
snow covered walls and rock. Some guided groups opt to sleep for a
couple of hours at this elevation and then attempt the summit beginning
at midnight. This is crazy and would be an incredibly long strenuous
day. You would be climbing the 3500 vertical feet in the darkness with
nothing but your headlamp to guide the way. By the time you reach the
top you will be exhausted and then you still have the steep downhill to
deal with. This camp elevation is about 15,300 feet. Hiking time is
about 3 hours.
Camp
VI is called the summit crater camp and this day is one of the
hardest hiking days. You climb from 15,3000 to 18,500 feet. If you were
going to climb 3200 feet vertical from sea level you would have a much
easier time. This vertical elevation gain at this high altitude is much
harder. It is best to take it slow and climb carefully. This is the most
dangerous day of the climb. Some of the sections are extremely steep and
slippery, not to mention you may have to watch out for rock fall. One
group that I am aware of had a member who was recovering from a
melon-sized rock that crashed into his skull. His blood was draining
into a plastic bucket as they attempted to bandage and help him.
There will be climbing on all fours on this day in particular
sections. The views are incredible! 16,000 foot Mt. Meru is clearly
visible peaking above the ascending cloud layer.
While we were climbing we did not see or hear any rock fall. If
you are careful you will be fine. In the steep sections, take it very
slowly and be aware of where you are stepping or climbing. Camp
elevation this day is 18,500 feet. Hiking time is between 7 to 10 hours.
Mweka
Camp
is located at 10,000 feet. Before getting to this camp you
summit the mountain, which takes about 1 to 2 hours from Crater Camp.
There are two routes, one straight up to the summit, or the other via a
longer route up the valley and then up to the summit. I won’t give any
specifics of the summit except to say it is an incredible experience
upon reaching the top. After spending some valuable time on the top you
descend down to Barafu Hut. Descending can be quite difficult. You are
descending on volcanic scree which is very loose. You end up sliding
down in sections more than actually hiking. This day will have dropped
about 9500 feet from the summit. Mweka camp is located at 10,000 feet.
Here you briefly experience the crowds that climb this mountain. When I
was here, this camp had the feel of a refuge camp. Many tour groups had
tents scattered as far as the eye could see. Toilets and other
belongings were randomly strewn about. From here you have great views of
Kilimanjaro. Hiking time on this day is about 7 to 9 hours.
The
last day
takes about 4 to 6 hours to make the steep descent to
one of the park’s entrances at the Mountain Village Lodge. This was
the muddiest day of the entire climb. You end up being in mud up to your
knees in some places. If the trail was not muddy you could make very
good time.
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