On this day we would be climbing up to 4400 meters (14432 feet). My previous highest climb was Mt. Torrey at 14267 feet so this height wouldn’t be a first. Waking up at camp to a little bit colder weather and some amazing views of the clouds below... Fortunately, we have not been rained on yet so handling a little cold is no big deal. Today, we would need to climb to our next camp (Camp 3 Turnback?) by noon, then rest a bit and do another shorter climb up the side of Mt. Mawenzi and climb back down to camp. During the morning climb, I saw some plants, flowers and rocks that I have never seen before. After all, this was an active volcano millions of years ago that left its mark on the earth. Hence, it has created a habitat for unusual plant life and rocks formed from glaciers and lava flows long ago.
Once we arrive, we had a bit of tea and soaked in the scenery. This was by far the best camp we've been at so far. Perched right at the base of Mt. Mawenzi (a much older Volcano than Kilimanjaro and was crumbing. I asked about climbing to the top of Mawenzi and was told that it was not permitted due to the fragility of the mountain). That afternoon, we would go on our first acclimation climb then come back down. Along the climb, we got in some amazing views of the valley (where we would be climbing down to tomorrow), our camp, and the mountain. The skies were not clear enough to see Kili yet. That night we ate well and laughed our asses off telling each other jokes - not sure it was the jokes or the altitude that was making us all laugh. :)
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