Time: 8:42am
Temp: 42 F
Alt: 13,712'
Today we head to lava tower, about 4 hours from last night's camp. We have had breakfast and are ready to go.
(Today's route in green)
(Lava Tower)
We reached lava tower at 11:34. Temperature was around 45-50 F with some very light blowing sleet. The tower is very impressive - much more so than on the DVD. Our orginal plan was to camp here overnight, but we decide to only have lunch here and push on to the next camp. This will make for a long day today, but the tradeoff is that our two days before summit will be shorter and easier.
Samson let ken and I set pace for a good part of today. On my turn up a good hill I went to fast and am paying for it with a mild headache.
KEN'S THOUGHT OVER LUNCH:
Little tired and little sore, but otherwise feel really good. Sitting on the base of the actual mountain summit day seems more real.
I agree we are finally actually on what I would call the mountain. The snow line is just above us.
SAMSONN'S THOUGHT:
It will be ok. I will sleep very well because the camp is much lower than lunch here at lava tower, even lower than last nights camp. So far, so good. Everything is going average.
It is 2:55pm and we have arrived at what ken calls "Jurassic Park Camp". Elevation is only 13,045'. We went down over 2,200' ! Total distance since this morning is 4.85 miles.
About 5 minutes after leaving lava tower a large sleet storm unleashed itself on us. The lower we went, the storm changed to half & half and then finally all rain.
On the way down we start to see more of the changing zones of the mountain. One of the more interesting plants is the giant groundsel tree
It is still raining! All my wet weather gear worked terrific. We are going to rest as over ther next two days we have to climb over 6,000'.
We have just finished a nice 2 1/2 hour nap . I feel at least partially recharged.
At yesterday's camp there were only two other groups of two. Tonight their is a small city. Since it is still raining off and on I have not counted tents, but I would guess about 30-40 tents for us climbers and then all the tents for the various support crew. I joked as we walked in if there was a disco here as well.
(next morning after the rains have cleared up)
Our days have fallen into a routine. Wake-up call at 7:00am where they bring us hot tea to the tent. From 7:00am to 8:00am we get dressed for the day and pack all our gear while still in the tent. We then eat breakfast from 8:00 - 8:30, then get going on the day's sloooowww walking. After we are done with the day's walk, typically about noon, we take a couple of hour nap then an acclimatization hike. When we get back to the tent, we get our clothes laied out for the next morning. I have been taking my contacts out when we get to camp about noon to make sure my eyes get some rest and enough oxygen.
The last two nights I have slept with earplugs. No so much ken's snoring, which is pretty bad, but because the porters and guides stay up late and make a racket - especially in the larger camps.
It is sad to see how poorly the porters are dressed. All their items are hand-me-downs from past climbs, but they are ragged to say the least. I have seen a number of porters wearing sneakers and no socks! At the end of our trip I will leave them some gear. Ken will as well, although I am sure they will have some alterations to do (Ken is 6'6" tall)
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