I had a horrible sleep. There was a vent above me and I was getting the cold draft and the noise from our neighbours. Plus I had to pee several times, which was a scary experience because we were still in the rainforest and who knows what kind of animals could creep up on me in the dark. In the middle of the night there were monkeys dancing around on the top of our hut.
And it was cold! Piece of advice for future climbers: when they say to bring a -5 degree sleeping bag, please do.
When I got out of bed at 6am I was able to watch the sunrise which was spectacular. We had breakfast in the main dining hut. Masi brought her own butter, which really was the tastiest thing we had the entire trip. We had chai, omelettes, and papaya.
Today’s hike was 11.7km and we started at 8:20am. The first bit of the hike was rainforest and then it started to clear in to woodland. About halfway through the hike we could see the clouds directly in front of us. It was as if we could just reach out and touch them with our hands. We could see people ahead disappearing in to them, and then we were walking in them! I could feel the chill of the clouds all over me.
About two hours before we reached the next hut – Horombo – we sat down for lunch. It started to rain so we quickly took out our anoraks. But then it started to hail so we had to continue walking. I ate the rest of my lunch while hiking.
Horombo is at 3780 meters or 12,340 feet above sea level. I was higher than I had ever been. We arrived at 2:15 in the afternoon.
On the hike, and even at the hut, you could see the Mawenzi peak – which is the other Kili peak. People climb it too but it is not as high and much more dangerous. The volcanic rock is very brittle and you could fall. If you do, there is no rescue team to come and get you.
During the hike I had to pee at least 7 times. I have now learned the art of peeing in the bushes. I even managed to not get any on myself! But I do recall several things poking at me in the process. You get used to it, and when you have to go you just have to. We were drinking up to 3 litres of water a day!
The sleeping huts are much nicer at Horombo. There are 3 bunk beds and more space to walk around. We had chai, peanuts, popcorn and biscuits as a snack.
We were able to get reception at this hut so we made a quick phone call to Naguib Masa and Anjum Masi. We didn’t want to sleep too early so we played cards – for hours! I think the altitude was getting to our heads because we were all in a very silly mood – laughing at everything until we were in tears. I think we all really bonded that night.
At around dinner time I watched the sunset. It was unreal. It is an incredible feeling to feel like you’re on top of the world.
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