KILIMANJARO - 2009 - DAY 8

 FEBRUARY 21

Living proposes to change the original plan and move directly to the Shira 2 Camp. He recommends that we spend a night at Karanga Camp before climbing to the Barafu Camp. The plan will make the last day before going for the summit much shorter and therefore give us more time to recover before the final push. The plan forces us to hike double the distance.

The trail is more steep as we get closer to the edge of the Shira Plateau. The lush tropical forest is replaced by short bushes which look like junipers. We stop to drink and watch flowers. We hope to be able to see Kilimanjaro as we get to the edge of the plateau. But the beautiful, sunny weather changes rapidly and when we finally emerge from the forest, the mountain is covered by dense clouds.

Hiking on the plateau poses no problems except for a number of small streams which we have to cross. The weather up here is worse and the mountain is still hidden in clouds. For the first time since our arrival in Africa, it begins to rain.

Just before the camp, we stop to admire the Giant Senecio, a plant which grows only on the slopes of mountains in Equatorial Africa. We arrive at the Shira 2 Camp in the late afternoon. The camp is ready and the cook welcomes us with hot tea, cookies and later, dinner.