KILIMANJARO 2009 - DAY 4

 FEBRUARY 17

We wake up early in the morning to find the Miriakamba Hut floating above the clouds. From a distance of 70 kilometers (44 miles), the summit of Kilimanjaro is barely visible. Today we are hiking another 1000 m (3,280 feet) higher to the Saddle Huts.

Our long-necked friend from last night carefully watches our departure for the Saddle Hut.

Mount Meru offers tantalizing views of the mile high vertical north face.

After four hours of hiking the final pitch before the Saddle Hut offers no major problems.

To accelerate acclimatization, we climb Little Meru before dinner. Unfortunately, the weather is rapidly deteriorating and visibility on the summit is quite limited.

The Saddle Hut camp is barely visible as we slowly descend from the summit.