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Lemosho Route / Day 4

Moir Hut Camp (13,650 ft) > Lava Tower Camp (15,272 ft)

Mt Kilimanjaro Stars and Camp at Lava Tower

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

We awoke to frost covering our tents. And because we’re on the Western side of the mountain and in the shade, the morning sun takes a while to warm things up.

Today we gained about 1,500 feet today in a fairly straightforward hike. On the way, we crossed from the heath zone (also known as the moorland) to the alpine desert.

That meant a pretty dramatic change in scenery. There are no more plants or trees or any other signs of life. (Although apparently it’s not unheard of for solo buffalo or other animals to wander all the way up here to get the mineral nutrients in the alkaline soil.)

Soon we’re walking through a harsh, rocky, grey landscape that could pass for the surface of Mars. Everything around us has, at some point in the distance past, been spewed out of the volcano.

That includes Lava Tower itself, a large column of rock jutting up conspicuously on the edge of a small level area that is used as Lava Tower Camp.

If you’re game and not too exhausted, you can climb to the top of Lava Tower. I decided resting and getting warm was a better way to spend my time. But from the top, you get not only a good view but also a little help with acclimatization–up here, any little altitude gain, even temporary, makes a difference.

Enroute, we also got our first view of the summit of Mt. Meru off to the right–about 70 miles way–its summit poking through the thick layer of clouds below us. We’ll have a good view of it for the next few days until we go over the summit and start heading down the other side of the mountain.

It was cold and windy when we arrived, but it started to die down around 8pm, leaving it just cold.

But the cold doesn’t take away from the spectacular view. We have a clear shot at Mt Meru poking through the clouds. The eerily clear skies with no light pollution to speak of mean that the night sky is dazzling. The Milky Way is easily visible in a thick band dividing the sky. If it wasn’t so cold and we weren’t so exhausted, we could sit out here for hours just stargazing.

Mt Kilimanjaro Porters on the Trail to Lava Tower

Mt Kilimanjaro Clouds and Hikers Silhouette

Lava Tower Camp.

Mt Kilimanjaro Tents and Stars

Lava Tower.

Mt Kilimanjaro Clouds Silhouette from Lava Tower

Mt Kilimanjaro Summit with Snow Seen from Moir Hut Camp

Kibo Summit as seen from Moir Hut Camp.

Mt Kilimanjaro Rocky Terrain Trail

Mt Kilimanjaro

Moir Hut Camp.

Mt Kilimanjaro Frost on Tent

Frost on the tent at Moir Hut Camp.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Moir Hut Campsite

Moir Hut Camp.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Moir Hut Camp

Moir Hut Camp with the summit in the background.

Mt Kilimanjaro Western Breach View of Lava Tower

The Western Breach from Lava Tower Camp.

Mt Kilimanjaro Lava Tower and Western Breach

Lava Tower Camp, with the Western Breach in the background.

Mt Kilimanjaro Western Breach

Mt Kilimanjaro Alpine Desert

Mt Kilimanjaro Alpine Desert Rocks and Summit

Mt Kilimanjaro Alpine Desert Terrain

Mt Kilimanjaro Summit in the Clouds

Mt Kilimanjaro Alpine Desert

Mt Kilimanjaro Alpine Desert Path

Mt Kilimanjaro Alpine Desert Panorama

Mt Kilimanjaro Trail Marker to Lava Tower

Mt Kilimanjaro Mt Meru Through the Clouds

The summit of Mount Meru poking up through the clouds.

Mt Kilimanjaro Alpine Desert with Mt Meru

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Porter on Trail to Lava Tower

Mt Kilimanjaro Trail Marker

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Porters on the Rocky Trail to Lava Tower

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Porters on the Trail to Lava Tower

Mt Kilimanjaro Trail with Moir Hut Camp

Mt Kilimanjaro

Mt Kilimanjaro Porters Drying Clothes

Taking advantage of some direct sun at Moir Hut Camp to dry and air the sleeping bags.

 

Mt Kilimanjaro

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Moir Hut Camp Area

Mt Kilimanjaro Clouds from Above

Mt Kilimanjaro Cairns Silhouette

Mt Kilimanjaro Tent with Western Breach

Lava Tower Camp.

Mt Kilimanjaro Moir Hut Camp with Summit

Moir Hut Camp, with the summit in the distance at the background.

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

Where to Next?

  • Mt Kilimanjaro Stars and Camp at Lava Tower
    Climbing Kilimanjaro
  • Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Footprints in the Dirt
    Lemosho Route / Day 3
  • Mt Kilimanjaro Rainforest
    Lemosho Route / Day 8
  • Mt Kilimanjaro Beautiful Sunset Above the Clouds
    Lemosho Route / Day 5
  • Mt Kilimanjaro Summit Uhuru Peak
    Lemosho Route / Day 7
  • Mt Kilimanjaro Crater Camp Ice Glacier
    Lemosho Route / Day 6
  • Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania Hikers on Plain with Peak
    Lemosho Route / Day 2
  • Mt Kilimanjaro Lemosho Glades Trailhead Forest Trail
    Lemosho Route / Day 1
  • 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:
Country: Tanzania
Coordinates:
      Latitude:
      Longitude:

      # 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.

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Photos by David Coleman. Please contact me for licensing images.
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