The Milestone Hike
(Day 3)
Tanzania, Kilimanjaro – Dec 24/ Jan 25
Every Trip a Purposeful Trip
I started the hike with an open mind and heart, and finished with my soul full of stories — not just of mountains and altitude, but of healing, connection, and rediscovery.
29 Dec 2024 (Hiking Day 3)
🗺️ Route for the Day
Shira Camp 2 (3850m) → Lava Tower (4600m) → Barranco Camp (3900m)
Distance: ~10km
Elevation Gain: +750m / -700m
Zone: Alpine Desert → High Alpine
Duration: ~7 hours
This was the day we took on the mountain’s incline in full force. The first leg of the hike — about three hours — was a continuous uphill climb from Shira Camp 2 to roughly 3900m, where the Machame Route intersects with Lemosho.
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Ever wondered how cold it gets on Mt. Kilimanjaro at night?
From the junction, the steepness finally eased off — but the altitude hit me. A dull headache crept in as we pushed higher toward Lava Tower (4600m), navigating a trail that undulated with smaller ascents and descents.
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Midway through, the rain set in and we found ourselves walking in thick fog, with visibility greatly reduced.
Tried to spook Jafary in the fog… but obviously, it didn’t work. 😅
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Almost there to Lava Tower! Love the ambience while crossing this bridge!
🍽️ Lunch at Lava Tower
We reached Lava Tower around midday. While the fog cloaked most of its features, I could still make out its sheer size through its shadow in the mist — a dark silhouette rising out of the landscape.
Lunch at the tower was a welcome break. I got to spend more time with the hiking team, sharing a warm meal and quiet conversation before heading into the second half of the day.
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Selfie with the team — bonding over a hearty chat during lunch!
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Chef Amin in action!
👻 Silent Hill Vibes
The hike from Lava Tower to Barranco Camp was continued almost entirely in the fog, with light rain softening the trail. The mood shifted — it felt more introspective, like something out of Silent Hill (minus the scary monsters).
We passed more giant Dendrosenecio plants along the way and happily stopped to take photos with them. Their presence felt almost otherworldly in the mist — like guardians of this high-altitude wilderness.
The fog muted the world. Every step felt slower, more intentional. The mountain was inviting me inward — not just to climb, but to reflect.
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⛺ Arrival at Barranco Camp
We reached Barranco Camp (3900m) in the late afternoon. Soaked but smiling, I felt a strange mix of fatigue and excitement.
💓 Thinner Air, Stronger Heart
Day 3 brought me above the tree line and into a world shaped by wind and stone.
The views stretched wider, the climb grew steeper — but so did the sense of momentum. My body was adjusting. My mind clearer. And amidst the shifting skies and giant prehistoric plants, I found myself feeling… lighter.
Not because it was easy. But because it was true.
🏔️ Continue to Journey With Me
Tomorrow, we’d take on the Barranco Wall — a section I’d been both curious about and looking forward to since the beginning.
Another night in the clouds, and the mountain still had more to teach.
The mountain was no longer just something I was climbing.
It was something I was walking with.
