DAY TWO - TO SHIRA CAMP (11,500 FT)

I woke up with a headache this morning, which is not unusual given the altitude at this point.  Took Aleve and kept drinking more and more water.  It was quite cold, but I was toasty warm in the sleeping bag.  I successfully used the pee funnel (about every 2 hours actually) and was sooooo grateful that I didn't have to get out of the warm tent and venture into the darkness.......a wonderful invention, considering the implications of drinking 3 to 6 litres of water each day!   Throughout the night I could hear tent zippers opening and closing for those unfortunate souls that didn't have the funnel device.....


Of course, Tusker does provide our own private toilet......which is great during our down time at camp.

Every morning after breakfast and every evening after dinner, everyone undergoes a medical review.  It includes a check of our heart rates, oxygen levels, lungs and a series of questions, such as, do you have a headache, a cough, trouble breathing or, how would you rate how you feel from 1 to 10?  My heart rate was up to 92 and I felt a bit breathless, although the guides assured me that this is within normal range.  My resting heart rate is usually 65! 


After a hearty breakfast of porridge, eggs and sausages we were on the trail by 9:00.  It was slow and steady climbing today on very rocky and dusty terrain.  I didn't really have a chance to appreciate my surroundings while hiking, as I needed to keep my eyes on the ground and remain focused on each step.  When we stopped for breaks there was an opportunity to take in the amazing rain forest and moorland. 

                                                    LEAVING THE RAIN FOREST





                                                  ENTERING THE MOORLANDS

It was a long, long day ending on flat desolate land called the "high altitude desert plateau". We arrived at camp around 5:00 very tired and very dirty - hot water waits us each day when we return from hiking - a chance to scrape off as much grime as possible...then hot tea and snacks!

                                ARRIVING IN CAMP SHIRA - the high altitude desert plateau.

          

                                                              THE MESS TENT

About the porters

The porters are the unsung heroes on this mountain.  They work tirelessly - carrying all of the supplies on their backs/heads, setting up camp before we arrive and dismantling everything after we leave.  We were told that at the end of the climb if we wanted to donate any of our equipment / clothing etc., it would be greatly appreciated by the crew.  As I watch the porters pass us along the way, I see that their clothing is a real testament to this practise.........I've seen men wearing pink vests, yoga pants, Hawaiian shorts, pink long johns......you get the picture.....clearly they are not interested or bothered by fashion as we know it, but rather are looking at complete functionality....if it works, then they'll use it.  It's humbling as I trek up the mountain in all of my colour coordinated gear, carefully selected over the past 7 months.  Talk about perspective.

 

HAULING ALL OF THE SUPPLIES ON THEIR HEADS / BACKS...............

A HAPPY CAMPER......ER "PORTER"

NOTICE THE TRAIL OF PORTERS GOING RIGHT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE RIDGE(NEAR THE LARGE ROCK)