Reaching the Top #3

Day 3 of our climb. Altitude struck me like hammer on anvil. My head felt as though it was being squeezed from all sides and nausea kicked in. Breathing was tough, and walking felt as thought it was the hardest thing in the world. 

Compared to the previous day this was a short one, but no less harder. The terrain was harsh and unforgiving, much harder to traverse, especially coupled with altitude.

After struggling for hours and being shepherded by a couple of guides, Declan and Lucia, we were told we were only minutes away from the safety and comfort of camp.

Nature overheard. And answered with a sudden hail, a freezing and testing hail that drenched our clothes and chilled our fingers. At that height things don't really dry properly, and if they do, not at all quickly. We crawled to camp, straight to the tent to get dry and change clothes.

After a few minutes of rest the hail passed. Time for food, popcorn and Milo (a strange malted hot drink). This brief intermission was was followed by an acclimatisation walk. I felt like death, altitude had stripped me of any energy I had left. But, I knew if I didn't do this acclimatisation walk than the next day would be even worse for me. We were camped by a lake and around it, in stones laid out, were messages of previous climbers recent and from past years. A sight to behold.

The climb was short but arduous. But what awaited us at the top was a view, a truly breathtaking view. To one side, the towering pointed peak of Mawenzi, and out as far as the eye could see; the Lunar desert. Our next obstacle.

But for now, sleep...