Kilimanjaro Day Three: Love In The Air?

Kilimanjaro in the distance on Kilimanjaro Day Two
Kilimanjaro Day Two: It Only Gets Better
September 27, 2016
Kilimanjaro day four: Baranco Camp
Kilimanjaro Day Four: The Moment Of Truth
October 11, 2016
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Kilimanjaro Day Three Ascent

Kilimanjaro Day Three Ascent

Bird on Kilimanjaro

Would the Kilimanjaro lovebird sing?

Unexpected Guest

It seemed as if the morning of Kilimanjaro day three would be off to a bang. I arose to the face of a mysterious woman. We shared an intimate glance. And she finally opened her mouth to say…

 

“…………………………”

 

“Oh wait, let me take my earplugs out. I can’t hear you.” I said as I watched her lips move without hearing any words.

 

She leaned in a bit closer and said

 

“I’m sorry, I think

pause

I think I have the wrong tent.”

 

“No problem.” I said. And although I smiled in response, while watching her exit, I wondered to myself…

 

I think?

I think I have the wrong tent??

Was she indirectly inviting herself in???

 

Her reaction replayed in my head and I thought—perhaps the outcome may have been different had I responded, “No problem…I think you’re in just the right place.

 

Kilimanjaro day three flowers

My mountain romance prospects were as wilted as these flowers along the Kilimanjaro day three trek.

I sat, alone, and envisioned several possible scenarios of the previous scene, but finally snapped back to reality. At breakfast, I shared my morning events with my trekking partner, we laughed, and were all smiles before beginning the long day.

 

All smiles at the outset of day three!

All smiles at the outset of day three!

Kilimanjaro Day Three: Climb High, Sleep Low

Lava Tower

Lava Tower

The plan was to walk from our camp, Shira Cave Camp, to the next, Baranco Camp, with a brief stop at Lava Tower Camp for lunch. After approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes, we arrived at Lava Tower Camp feeling great, especially considering the altitude of 4600m. Seeing that the next camp was just a few hours further and my energy level was still relatively high, I opted to skip lunch at Lava Tower Camp and instead have it upon arrival to Baranco Camp.

 

Day three, part 2

Still full of energy—“Look Ma, no hands!”

Well, contrary to what I expected, the next portion of the day proved much more difficult than the first four hours. Although the Baranco Valley provided views of lush vegetation, streams, and waterfalls, the 650+m descent from Lava Tower was filled with rocky, uneven ground. Embarrassingly, I slipped and hit the deck…twice…and even witnessed several porters take spills as well.

A porter pushing through fatigue en route to Baranco Camp

A porter pushing through fatigue en route to Baranco Camp

Baranco Camp arrival came just two hours and one minute after leaving Lava Tower. However, maybe I went too fast. Maybe it was the altitude. But whatever the case may have been, once I got to Baranco Camp, I was completely drained.

 

A waterfall in the Baranco Valley

A waterfall in the Baranco Valley

 

Approaching Baranco Camp

Approaching Baranco Camp

 

Immediately after arriving I finally had my lunch, hung my wet clothes out to dry, and decided to rest up until dinner. For the first time since beginning the climb, I felt somewhat nauseous, had a slight headache, and doubt was creeping into my mind. After dinner, I took an aspirin, a chlorophyll supplement, and a potassium supplement. With confidence slightly compromised and unsure of how I would feel in the morning, I headed to bed early…

43 Comments

  1. Anju says:

    Oh WOW! Kiliminjaro! Very cool! the pictures themselves look so good, I wonder how it would have been to the naked eye! Is this the most challenging trek you guys have been on? thanks for sharing! 🙂

  2. Liana says:

    First one I read, and I’ll follow your adventure! I love a good trek and I really need to try this one. There is something incredible to be able to live such an adventure with friends and finding things unexpected! Thanks for sharing your trek story!

  3. r says:

    You’re so brave for doing that challenging trek! I envy active people like you haha. Love your shots, uhm what phone or camera are you using btw? hihi

  4. ROBERT LEE says:

    HAHAHAHAHA! I am so sorry… HAHAHA! I think I have the wrong tent??? That is classic! Yeah, the photos show me how lucky you are to have undertaken a journey to see some of the most beautiful sights anywhere on earth, but something tells this trip will forever be tied with ‘the wrong tent.’ Of course, I mean that in a good way.

  5. The lovebird closeup is amazing, and loved the Lava Tower perspective! I also blinked a few time at the “i think” part. I mean… what? Was she trying to make herself look better with that?

    Your trek looks great, but also super difficult. I’d really love to try something like this at some point.

  6. This looks beautiful. i especially loved the bird photograph in the beginning. I have never seen any mountain so close. It would be interesting to go on such an adventure.

  7. Mimi says:

    What a great read – love following active people in their adventure journeys! The other time we flew over Kili and it was simply breathtaking, can’t wait to do it!

  8. Chantae says:

    😀 haha, had to smile about your almost-love affair. Love the write up, I am super interested in trekking Kilimanjaro someday 🙂 Going to browse days 1 and 2 now…

  9. Tamshuk says:

    Following your Kilimanjaro trek posts as I am heading there next year. Will need to go slow and steady in this climb. Really like your pictures.

  10. Ana says:

    You’re so brave for doing Kilimanjaro trek! It’s not everyone’s cup of tea! Your pictures are breathtaking!

  11. Janine Good says:

    What a great post about Kilimanjaro! I have been toying with the idea of doing that climb and how much exercise and training I would require to do it. I did giggle at the lady who had the wrong tent. Levity amongst the mountains 🙂

    • EG III says:

      A few good months of training and you’ll be fine. Just make sure you don’t go to the “wrong” tent during your climb 😛

  12. How we would have loved doing such hikes but that surely requires much energy and will. Kudos to you for that. Your pictures are awesome. looking forward to more.

  13. verushka says:

    I love the way you write about your trek. The lady in the wrong tent was a pleasant surprise. With all that altitude my ears would probably kill me. Look forward to the next day…..

  14. Indrani says:

    Wow! That is a brave attempt! I have never done anything so rigorous like this and more than half my life is over. 🙂 Loved the pics you shared with this.

  15. Shane says:

    Ah such a sweet story, you should’ve invited her to dinner 😉 love your storytelling, you sure have a way with words!

    • EG III says:

      You’re right I should have! I guess it was so much of a surprise I didn’t have a chance to react quickly enough haha.

  16. Adeola Naomi says:

    Beautiful images and post!

  17. Oh God, what a lovely and beautiful photos. It must have been a really great experience ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっ

  18. Nurse In Saudi says:

    Awesome read. Shame about the “wrong tent” situation. ?

  19. Julianna says:

    Well done – what a great post and beautiful pictures. You both were remarkably relaxed about the tent mistake!

  20. lex says:

    amazing picture to go with an amazing topic. Kilimanjaro…..

  21. Laveena Sengar says:

    The article is pretty awesome and the interesting write up has made it even more intriguing. It feels like I am along. Haha. Amazing pictures. All the best

  22. Carola says:

    Wow.. The Kilimanjaro.. Impressive. I love the mountains. Your pictures are awesome. And a good thing to start the day with a smile! I’m curious about your next day on the Kilimanjaro .

  23. Carmy says:

    Oh my altitude! Did you get any altitude sickness? I’m going to have to go back and read your other recaps. This looks like an amazing adventure!

  24. sabrina says:

    Love your writing style! Especially the beginning of the story LOL! So good.. well done!

  25. blair villanueva says:

    Your article is so fun to read, and it seems like we are hiking now with you. Full of energy!

  26. John Rodgers says:

    This has been a great set of articles and I can’t wait to see if you are going to be fit in the next installment. We just tried to do the Everest Base Camp here in Nepal and it was a challenge for us but we are nearly 70. Laurel did not make it and since we are a team when we travel I turned back along with her. We are going to work through the winter and try again in the Spring.

    • EG III says:

      I’ll be posting the next installment on Tuesday…just keep training and stay positive and I’m sure Laurel will have better luck next spring.

  27. Ric Kerr says:

    Is that it? It started out good. You should have delved more into the fantasy of if you had said the right thing at the right time. Pics are awesome. Liked the bird.

  28. Allison says:

    Wow you are brave doing Kilimanjaro! And in a tent! I think I would like to stay a little lower down lol

  29. pospi says:

    i love this article. Well created. Keep writting i ll keep in touch.

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