Part four and Day three of a bloody long walk.
This day finds us still at the Horombo Huts at 3700 m above sea level. It’s an acclimatization day. We are asked to relax and take in the fresh air, allowing our body time to adjust to the altitude, mind you the alarm is still set for 7am to have breakfast! We’re given the option, which I took, to walk to Mawenzi Ridge and Zebra Rock at a height of 4100 m above sea level.
On arrival, those with sight admired the scenery. The South African trekkers had the opportunity, if they choose, to climb the rock and have photos taken. As this rock is considered sacred to the local people, I chose to respect the Tanzanian people and not climb.
We mulled around for about 20 minutes to half an hour then made a slow walk back to the Horombo Huts for lunch. There are plenty of great scenic views from this altitude to admire. The high altitude makes itself felt in the thin, low oxygen air that you breathe and we’re reminded to prepare for the trek on the following day which is the big one! You’re suggested to drink an extra liter of water throughout the day and also another through the night as dehydration is a contributor to altitude sickness.
The afternoon passed slowly and a fellow sighted trekker told us of a climber from a different group who was experiencing altitude sickness and had to be evacuated by the local ambulance. This consisted of a steel bed-frame with two handles at each end. The trekker was wrapped in their sleeping bag and strapped down. Under the bed frame was the rear end of a motorcycle suspension and wheel. With a porter at each end they then ran back down the track to the gate, where hopefully, an actual ambulance was waiting. No machinery up there. Everything is carried in and everything is carried out!
From there we just relaxed, waiting for dinner and contemplating what’s coming. The next day. This is the big one!
The walk to the summit will be in the next update.
If this is your first time reading these posts I’ll let you know I’m blind.
(Image of Zebra rock from Gringo Potpourri)