Stratton on the Lemosho Trail
Today was all about pushing limits—both physical and mental—as we trekked across the upper slopes of Kibo on a classic “walk high, sleep low” day. We left Moir Camp behind and entered the stark, haunting beauty of the alpine desert. The landscape changed dramatically—no trees, no birdsong, just wind, rock, and the crunch of our boots on volcanic grit.
Our first goal was the Lava Tower, standing tall at 15,092 feet (4600 meters). Reaching it felt like stepping onto another planet. We had lunch there, enveloped in mist that made the towering rock structure seem even more surreal and ghostly. Moses told me that some climbers climb the Tower too. Crazy! Breathing was harder at that altitude, but we were acclimatizing, and that’s the whole point of this tough day.
From there, the descent to Baranco Camp was no joke—steep, slippery, and technical in spots. My knees and trekking poles got quite the workout navigating the treacherous terrain. But as the trail finally leveled out, we entered one of the most otherworldly settings I’ve ever seen. Baranco Camp is framed by massive, prehistoric-looking plants called giant groundsels—like something out of a lost world.
And then, rising just beyond camp, I saw it: the infamous Baranco Wall. It loomed like a stone fortress, daring us to climb it tomorrow. I told Moses, “my dreams have been shattered” thinking there was no way I could climb the steep wall. It’s intimidating, but also exciting—another challenge waiting to be met. From there, the descent to Baranco Camp was no joke either —steep, slippery, and technical in spots. My knees and trekking poles got quite the workout navigating the treacherous terrain. But as the trail finally leveled out, we entered one of the most otherworldly settings I’ve ever seen. Baranco Camp is framed by massive, prehistoric-looking plants called giant groundsels—like something out of a lost world.
We hiked around 7 miles (11 kilometers) over six hours today, and though it was a long one, it was deeply rewarding. We ended at 12,796′ altitude or 3900m. My body is adjusting, my spirit is rising, and the mountain continues to reveal its secrets one step at a time.
#ChasingTheLeopard #StrattonClimbsKilimanjaro #WalkHighSleepLow #BarancoWallAwaits #AlpineDesert #LemoshoTrail #FartherTogether #Kilimanjaro2025
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