DAY 9

All the clouds disappear at night and the weather in the morning is warm and sunny. After a long day the previous day, the hike is short but steep. We hike from the Shira Camp 2 at 3,830 m (12,560 ft) to the bottom of the Lava Tower at 4.630 m (14,950 ft) and descend to the Baranco Camp at 3,870 m (12,700 ft). It has taken a whole day of hiking to gain 40 meters (131 ft) in elevation.

The morning chores are quickly dispatched and we start hiking with a fantastic view of Kibo the main crater of Kilimanjaro. The distinctive depression in the caldera is called the Western Breach. The slope leading to the breach is called Arrow Glacier. Global Warming has long receded the once majestic glaciers of Kilimanjaro as seen by the barely covered scree slope.

The beautiful weather deteriorates quickly. Dense clouds rise from the valleys and flow up the slopes of Kilimanjaro. Before reaching The Lava Tower, we cross a number of streams cascading from the remaining glaciers of Kilimanjaro.

The Lava Tower is a 100 meter (328 ft) tall formation that was created by cooling lava at some point in Kilimanjaro's past. The clouds withdraw for a moment, enough to let me snap a picture. Soon after reaching the tower, the clouds return and surround us during the rest of the descent to the upper levels of the Baranco Valley .

The trail continues along a patch of the Giant Senecio. While watching clouds swirling around the plants, I finally understand how they survive in such an arid climate. Most of the moisture required for growth is obtained directly from the low flying clouds.

Slowly descending to the camp we watch clouds moving up the valley. Our trail leads through another patch of the Senecio. Late in the afternoon, we arrive at the camp. The famous Baranco Wall rises in front of us on the other side of the valley. A light coloured trail emerging from the depths of the valley floor makes its way up the wall. Scaling this the following day, is our goal.

KILIMANJARO - 2009 - DAY 9