Journey to Kilimanjaro
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Some Day 3 images and videos
How I felt waking up
Dawn at Shira 1
Breakfast
Kajeli led us today
Crossing the stream
Feeling good
Spectacular views of Kibo
Kibo looming up ahead of us
My gifts to the mountain
Ide looking good with my backpack!
Day 3 - Sunday 20th February
Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp
Shira 1 Camp - 3,610 m Shira 2 Camp - 3,850 m
10 km hike - approximately 4 hours (they lied!)
Written by Tina Sibley in March 2022
Video Overview of the day
Another Up and Down Day!
This was one of my favourite sections on the mountain. I absolutely fell in love with the Shira plateau and, in particular, the Shira ridge. The shape of the mountains on the ridge were spectacular and I could barely take my eyes of them.
I didn't get much sleep last night, but I did get some, so was grateful for that. I still kept wanting to visit the toilet tent (or the message tent as we called it) as I was doing my best to take on lots of water.
I managed to eat some breakfast but again not a huge amount, some oat porridge, some fruit and a pancake.
The weather was pleasant again setting out, and I was quite cheerful and upbeat considering my lack of energy.
Setting out for the day
Crossing the Plateau
Today's hike was longer at around 10km, but not so steep as we were crossing the Shira Plateau and we were expecting to reach Shira 2 camp for lunchtime. then the plan was to rest before doing an acclimatisation hike.
One of the rules to help with acclimatisation is to hike high and sleep low and this would be how the next couple of days would unfold.
Kajeli led us today and Adolf looked after me at the back. Adolf was awesome and took photos and some video for me as well.
I absolutely loved the terrain today, crossing streams and going through the beautiful moorland with the plants and shrubs. As I mentioned before, the views were also spectacular, especially of the mountains on the ridge.
Adolf was looking after me at the back today
Kajeli helping us to cross the stream
My main problem today was that I developed nasty diarrhoea! As we were hiking, I started getting the tell-tale signs of severe tummy cramps and I found it necessary to stop walking and take some deep breaths. It took everything I had to focus and to hang onto my tummy and not end up in a total mess on the mountain! I had to clench my buttocks like never before!
I did fortunately manage to hang on until I got to camp but I struggled and, of course, I was left feeling totally drained.
I found the last hour before camp particularly difficult as I began to feel a bit dizzy and nauseous and my energy levels crashed again. Gavin kept me company at the back during that last hour and it was great to have his company.
The guides obviously saw that I was struggling as, at some point, they took my backpack off me again and Ide ended up carrying it for me. They really are the absolute best. I loved how they allowed me to be independent and carry it when I was able, but took it off me as soon as they saw me going downhill. They have eyes like hawks and nothing goes un-noticed by them.
The Spectacular Mountains on Shira Ridge
Lunch
By lunch, I felt dreadful and the idea of having to eat filled me with dread. I have never been so long without any apetite in my life! The food, as usual, was fabulous and I ate what little I could and tried to drink as much ginger tea as possible.
Then, thankfully, I was able to crash in my tent and have a nap until around 4pm. That was just what the doctor ordered!
The Afternoon Acclimatisation Hike & G-Fighter presentation
After my nap, James woke me up to take me on the acclimatisation hike. The others had already set out, but James decided to let me rest a bit longer. The rest did me good and I felt a lot better for it for a little while.
For the acclimatisation hike, we weren't going far or for long so I didn't need to take my backpack and James carried my water bottle. The objective was simply to experience a little time at higher altitude before coming back down again. Although the clouds loomed, it didn't rain on us today, so it was nice to have a complete day without waterproofs.
We went up to around 4,000 m then turned around to return to camp. However, as we approached camp I began to feel awful again.
As we got back to camp, all the G-fighters were assembled ready to give us a presentation so I had to hang in there for a while.
First of all, the CEOs took turns to speak to us and then the G-Fighters introduced themselves to us in turn.
Then it was our turn to introduce ourselves and where we were from. As I was on the end, James instructed me to go first. Sadly, I had turned my video off after they finished so didn't capture their reaction to my introduction! As soon as I said my name and where I was from, they started singing, in hilarious, high-pitched voices, including my name in the song. It was brilliant! They repeated this for each of the ladies who introduced themselves. When it was the turn of the guys, they sang in a very deep, booming voice.
It was such good fun and really put a smile on my face and lifted my ailing spirits!
Sadly, there wasn't as much singing and dancing from the G-Adventures team as I'd seen on videos. Apparently, because of covid, they had been instructed by their bosses not to sing in order to prevent contamination - that was such a shame! I longed to hear them singing the Kilimanjaro song!
Evening at Camp
After the presentation, it was time to rest a bit more and freshen up with our bowl of hot water, which was welcome as I was feeling pretty dreadful and was still getting the runs really badly.
Then it was time to head to the mess tent and I seemed to come back to life again! I was up and down like a yo-yo!
We reported in for our health check and my oxygen levels increased from 87 the night before to 91, which was brilliant. My heart rate was also the lowest at 69, so I won the competition for the most relaxed person of the evening!
I certainly felt more human and for the first time since that first night, I had got my apetite back and was able to eat more easily.
In our briefing, we were given the plan for the next day, which involved hiking up to Lava Tower at 4,650 m and then back down to Barranco Camp at 3,900m. We were told to expect symptoms of high altitude sickness and that it was common for people to experience headaches, nausea and vomiting! We were instructed to drink lots of water, take pain killers for the headaches and to mentally prepare to vomit and then carry on! But we were assured that, whatever symptoms we had, we would improve as soon as we started to descend again. It was all part of the acclimatisation process. This wasn't a happy thought but forwarned is forearmed!
After dinner, on the way back to my tent, I was treated to an amazing display of stars in the sky, which was clear for the first time at night. They were amazing. We also had a great view of the lights of Moshi town down below us. At the same time, in the far distance, we could see lightning as well.
I was aware though that I needed my bed, so didn't spend as much time star gazing as I would normally.
It was quite cold this evening and one thing I was very grateful for was the hot water bottle that Elisha (our fabulous waiter) brought me! In fact, ever since being poorly on the first night, not long after going to my tent, Elisha brought me a secret hot water bottle every single night! Not everyone got this luxury, so I felt very fortunate indeed.
I only needed to visit the toilet tent once after I settled down to sleep - at about 11pm, I ventured out and was rewarded by the most beautiful sight of the moon rising right above Kibo. It was spectacular - a real treat.
My Overview of the Day
