The Milestone Hike
(Day 4)
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.
30 Dec 2024 (Hiking Day 4)
🗺️ Route for the Day
Route: Barranco Camp (3900m) → Karanga Camp (3995m)
Distance: ~6km | Elevation Gain: ~100m
Zone: Alpine Desert
Duration: ~4 hours
Today’s hike may have been short, but it was packed with adrenaline, laughter, and unforgettable moments.
We set out from Barranco Camp and began the ascent up the legendary Barranco Wall — a near-vertical cliff face that looks intimidating from below, but becomes a thrilling scramble once you’re on it.
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A clear sky greeted us, offering a stunning view to begin the morning.
🐜 Ants on the Wall
By 9:00 AM, the wall was swarming with hikers — a lively, colorful procession that looked like a colony of ants climbing a cliff. The energy was electric. Everyone was focused, working together to navigate the narrow paths and jagged edges.
The climb required all four limbs — scrambling up steep rocky steps, gripping ledges, carefully choosing where to place your feet. And amidst it all, a mountain traffic jam! Yes, even at 4,000m, we found ourselves in line — proof that great adventures often come with unexpected quirks.
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Can you spot the trail of hikers making their way up the wall? Watch the video for a zoomed-in view
💋🪨 The Kissing Rock
Being a solo hiker had its perks. My guide (Jafary) and I could weave through the slower groups and make steady progress.
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Who says you can’t have a mountain traffic jam?
Soon, we reached the iconic “kissing rock” — a tight squeeze where you have to press close to the stone face to pass through.
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And yes… I gave it a proper kiss.
(Laughs were had. Photos were taken. No regrets.)
☁️ Into the Mist
After the wall, the trail levelled out into a more gradual incline. We hiked through thick fog, which gave the whole experience an eerie, beautiful atmosphere.
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Here’s my try at continuing the existing stack — steady hands required!
⛺ Arrival at Karanga Camp
By early afternoon, we reached Karanga Camp (3995m) — perched on a slope with a stunning view (when the clouds parted).
✨ Under the Stars
I spent the evening experimenting with night photography again. This time round it was magical…
🏔️ Continue to Journey With Me
Tomorrow would be our final push before the summit.
New Year’s Eve on Kilimanjaro — what a way to step into 2025.
I went to sleep buzzing with anticipation. The summit was just one sunrise away.
