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Lemosho Route / Day 2

Big Tree Camp (9,154 ft) > Shira 1 Camp (11,500 ft)

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania Hikers on Plain with Peak

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Tanzania // Mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania Location: [post_gps_latitude], [post_gps_longitude]

We got our wake-up call at sunrise. Because we’re so close to the equator, days are consistently close to 12 hours year round. The longest day in a year is about 12 hours and 19 minutes with sunset at 6:42 PM. The shortest day is about 11 hours and 55 minutes with sunset at 6:28 PM. So there’s really only about 25 minutes variation throughout the year–if you count on sunrise at 6:30 AM and sunset at 6:30 PM, you’re on pretty safe ground.

It was cool last night without being cold–down into the 40s. By the time we set off this morning at about 8:30–after a hearty breakfast thanks to our wonderful camp cooks–it was into the low 50s.

I feel good as we set off, but that changes. There’s no point mincing words–today was bloody hard, unexpectedly so. Part of it was the terrain. During the day we crossed up over the top of the forest zone into the heath zone. But it wasn’t a straight climb up–we seemed to spend most of our time dipping down into valleys. Our overall altitude gain was about 2,500 feet for the day, but to get there involved a lot of up and down.

That made it a long day, but what I found hardest was that we’re well into the zone where the reduced oxygen at altitude starts to affect the body. That threshold is usually considered to be about 8,000 feet. That’s why the cabins of most commercial passenger planes are pressurized to that about that level during flight. But we’re starting the day at 9,154 feet and heading up to 11,500 feet. Everyone reacts differently to altitude. Some people’s bodies acclimatize easily and quickly. It turns out that mine doesn’t. By the time we reach camp I’m utterly exhausted, dizzy, light-headed, and even my resting heart rate is faster than normal. No headaches or nausea yet, but they’re the next things to expect. This constant exhaustion and dizziness sticks with me for most of the rest of the climb, making even the smallest exertion a hard slog. Not until we start descending on day 7 and reach 15,000 feet again do I quickly feel energetic and “normal” again. The porters and guides, on the other hand, never seem the least bit affected. It’s one of the many reasons we’re in awe of these guys (all the porters are men in our group, although apparently there are some women porters who work on these expeditions). But later we find out that one or two of the new porters, whose bodies hadn’t acclimatized yet, also struggled.

Making up for the exhaustion are the spectacular views. After lunch, we round a bend and get our first view of the summit. It’s still a long way away–we still have to cross the Shira Plateau, which is mercifully flat–but there’s no mistaking Kibo summit with its permanent snow cap, a very rare sight in the heart of Africa.

And on the way we also got above the clouds for the first time. It’s strange and exciting to be looking down the layer of clouds without looking out a plane window. It gives us a real sense of actually making progress on this climbing thing.

By the time we hit the Shira Plateau, we’re well out of the forest zone. The trees have been replaced with small grasses and shrubs interspersed with the distinctive Everlastings.

Shira 1 Camp is very different from Big Tree Camp–there are no trees here. It’s in an exposed area with no protection–there’s nowhere to hide if the weather turns bad or the cold wind comes up, and you can’t help feel sorry for the rangers based here in their ramshackle little hut reeking of propane.

But, again, the view makes up for it. It’s still a ways away–we still haven’t finished crossing the Shira Plateau–but we have a clear view of Kibo Summit from our tents.

And being above the clouds and in an exposed area far away from any major light source also means that we get our first taste of the spectacular night skies up here.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania Porter

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania Porters and Hikers

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania Heath Zone Landscape

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania Everlarstings and Grasses

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania Purple Wildflowers

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania Guide

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania

Helichrysum meyeri-johannis. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania Heath Zone

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania Dirt Path

The Shira Plateau with the summit in the distance. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania Heath Zone Valley

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania Heath Zone Flowers

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania Shira 1 Campsite

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania Shira 1 Campsite

Shira 1 Camp. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania Stone Cairn

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania Shira 1 Campsite Porters

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Climbing Kilimanjaro

This is part of a climb diary I put together with photos from each day on the Lemosho Route. You can find the other posts below. I’ve also included some gear tips for climbing Kilimanjaro and some ideas on what to expect from your climb.

  • Lemosho Route / Day 1
  • Lemosho Route / Day 2
  • Lemosho Route / Day 3
  • Lemosho Route / Day 4
  • Lemosho Route / Day 5
  • Lemosho Route / Day 6
  • Lemosho Route / Day 7
  • Lemosho Route / Day 8
  • Tips, Gear Recommendations, and What to Expect When Climbing Kilimanjaro

[mashup query=”tag_id=407″]

Where to Next?

  • Mt Kilimanjaro Lemosho Glades Trailhead Forest Trail
    Lemosho Route / Day 1
  • Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Footprints in the Dirt
    Lemosho Route / Day 3
  • Mt Kilimanjaro Tents and Stars
    Lemosho Route / Day 4
  • Mt Kilimanjaro Beautiful Sunset Above the Clouds
    Lemosho Route / Day 5
  • Mt Kilimanjaro Crater Camp Ice Glacier
    Lemosho Route / Day 6
  • Mt Kilimanjaro Summit Uhuru Peak
    Lemosho Route / Day 7
  • Mt Kilimanjaro Rainforest
    Lemosho Route / Day 8
  • Mt Kilimanjaro Stars and Camp at Lava Tower
    Climbing Kilimanjaro
  • Mt Kilimanjaro Stars and Camp at Lava Tower
    Climbing Kilimanjaro: Tips, Gear Recommendations, and What to Expect


Travel Advice for Tanzania

You can find the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories and information for Tanzania (such as entry visa requirements and vaccination requirements) here.

The British and Australian governments offer their own country-specific travel information. You can find the British Government's travel advice for Tanzania here and the Australian Government's here.

Health & Vaccinations

The CDC makes country-specific recommendations for vaccinations and health for travelers. You can find their latest information for Tanzania here.

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.


Location: Big Tree Camp
Country: Tanzania
Coordinates:
      Latitude: -2.99686111
      Longitude: 37.17524722

      # Mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania


About David Coleman

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living.

I’m based in Washington, DC.

You can find my photography gear reviews and tips at havecamerawilltravel.com/photographer.

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

Licensing & Prints

Looking for travel stock photos or prints? I might be able to help. You can search my collection here:

If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

Get in Touch

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Photos by David Coleman. Please contact me for licensing images.
All images are registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.


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