Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 5

Was awoken by rain and wind, thankfully it has now subsided and the clouds have cleared a little. The summit is right above us covered in a fresh layer of overnight snow. I figure the snowline comes down to about 4800mtrs so tonights ascent will at least have no rain involved.

Yesterdays hike was short and not too difficult although crossing the 'kissing stone' on Barranco wall took a little bit of agility, in the wet it would be quite hazardous. So far no one has suffered altitude sickness other than a little light headedness on the aclimitisation walks. Yesterdays was a quiet affair, no one spoke for the whole ascent. It allowed us to hold great rhythm though and I could tell Hashim was pleased with it. He is a very quiet person and very in tune with his mountain, niether hold any secrets from the other. He'll look at the sun filled sky and say 'rain in 2 hours'. Then right on cue the clouds will build and yep it will start raining two hours later.

Today we're off to Barafu hut (4600mtrs) then at midnight we start our attempt on the summit, I just hope the wind holds off.

The summit peaks through the clouds at Karanga camp

Climbing the Barranco wall - near the 'kissing stone'