Each morning I get up and hang my sleeping bag above the tent, wash my face, start packing clothes. Today was no different.
We started our hike to base camp. 4 hours. Only took 2 short breaks. Also, heavy traffic today. Porters and hikers.
Porters play a crucial role for the summit attempt. Carrying food, tents, clothes, water, chairs, batteries, propane, cooking gear, dishes oxygen tanks, etc. It is mind blowing to see how they carry this stuff. And passing you in the process.
Today is the day that we will attempt to summit the peak of Africa. One of the 7 summits. The highest free standing mountain in the world. As I type this I’m sitting at Basecamp looking at this spectacular view.
Lots of thoughts. To little clothes, how will I handle 5895 meters altitude, 8-12 hour hike starting in the middle of the night, freezing weather, windy conditions, hunger, food, energy, altitude sickness. All I try to envision is looking out from the top and the sensation of accomplishment.
The rest of the day calls for lunch and some rest followed by early dinner and then rest until around 11 pm where we will attempt to summit.
Basecamp is a busy place. Multiple routes lead here and everyone spends an afternoon/evening here before attempting to summit overnight, then return the next morning/noon for food and packing.
Note: All blog text and pictures were done via smartphone.