Kilimanjaro Day 4 Lemosho Route

Today, day 4 on the Lemosho route on Kilimanjaro, will be a true test. You have made it to 3,900m/ 12,795 feet at Shira Camp 2 and now are aiming to push higher to 4,600m/ 15,092 feet. Lunch today will be served at the Lava Tower.  This is the high point of the day, before you have to drop down 700m/ 2,296 feet. The Camp for the night will be set at an idyllic spot in the Barranco Camp, at 3,900m/ 12,795 feet.

Kilimanjaro Day 4 Lemosho Route

As you can see from the video, the pace today will slows down quite a bit. Helping each person adapt to the low level of oxygen.  You will be reaching heights above 4,000m/ 13,123 feet today, which is a true test. Exercise is a critical part of the acclimatization process, so your heart rate needs to be up and running, however it should not be too high. You do not want to be pushing lactic acid into the muscles. This lactic acid will fatigue you and makes recovery more challenging. Especially when you are on a multi-day expedition or climb up Kilimanjaro.

day 4 on Mount Kilimanjaro

Leaving Shira Camp 2

The initial climb out of Shira Camp 2 is quite gradual.  With stunning views of the mountain, it is an enjoyable couple of hours.  The trail is quite gradual up-hill, until you move out of the grass and shrubs.  Then you are moving into into a low oxygen environment. As you will see in the video, the climate changes from Moorland to Alpine Desert. You can see rock all around you some big, some small, that were thrown out of the volcano on it’s last eruption. This is a very unique hiking experience.

The Lava Tower day 4 on the Lemosho route

Once you get up to 4,200m/ 14,000 feet you will definitely start to notice the lack of oxygen. The temperatures will begin to drop as you approach the Lava Tower and the winds may pick up.  It has been a long slow hike up and we will eventually hit a new height record of 4,600m/ 15,090 feet. This is definitely one of the more challenging days on the trail.

Spending More Time at New Heights

The goal is always to spend time at this any new altitude, giving your body the chance to get used to the lack of oxygen. The walk to this point will have taken approximately 4 hours, and when we arrive at the Lava Tower, you will be rewarded with the achievement!  Our team will have prepared lunch and set up the tent for the group to eat at the Lava Tower. After 45 minutes to one hour you will continue the route down to Barranco Camp at 3,900m/ 12,795ft. 

The famous Lava Tower on Kilimanjaro

The Downhill to Barranco Camp

After lunch, the route drops steeply down the back of the lava tower and you need to take your time on this rocky section. The next couple of hours follow the trail further down the Barranco Valley. This is a nice walk through the lush Barranco Valley and is very different from the walk up to the lava tower.  Once you reach the Camp, you will see the looming Barranco Wall at the end of the Camp.  In the far distance, you will also see the lights of the Villagers at the base of the mountains.

Sunset in the Barranco Camp on Kilimanjaro

A Tough Day

Kilimanjaro Day 4 on the Lemosho Route is a challenging day. The first three days are a nice mix of easier and harder days. Day 4 on the Lemosho Route will be the most challenging so far.  You need to be walking and training for similar times at home to be successful. Make sure you are out walking 7 to 12 miles, with a weighted back pack on a regular basis and supplementing this with weekly training. Follow us on Instagram.

CLICK HERE AND WATCH DAY 5 UP KILIMANJARO’S LEMOSHO ROUTE.

Kilimanjaro Day 4 on the Lemosho Route has approximately 7 hours of hiking and covers 10.8km/ 6.7 miles of distance.

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