Climb Day 4: December 30 Baranco Camp 3 (12,950 ft.), Breakfast Wall, Karangu Camp (13,200 ft.)

Day 4 Route: Baranco Hut to Karanga Camp.

Day 4 presets the first legitimate mountaineering challenge of the Machame climb; the infamous Baranco wall rises 850 feet straight up from camp 3 and is, to say the least, quite intimidating at first glance. The Barranco Walls resulted from Kilimanjaro’s volcanic history. Once Kilimanjaro became dormant, about 175,000 years ago, the Kibo summit was formed from fossilized magma. As the cooling Magma collapsed inward, some dramatic rockfall resulted and it was one of these massive slides down the southern face that tore the soft volcanic surface away and resulted in the sheer basaltic-rock cliff.

Baranco Wall and Kilimanjaro Summit at Sunrise from Camp 3.

 The climb is also commonly referred to as the "Breakfast wall," as most climbs do this section soon after breakfast on either day 4 or day 5. Since steep, narrow paths are cut back and forth into the rock face, this route is not classified as "technical," but it definitely class-4. A fall on the wall would have some pretty devastating consequences. So I was very curious as to how all of the greenhorns and porters would work themselves up the wall.

Start of the Baranco Wall.

The climb started out ominously, as any of the lower switchback had rocks that were glazed with a slick coating of frozen dew. The ice had the consistency of infamous "black ice" that occurs on highways after clear cold nights following a rainstorm. Several climbers from other teams seriously dumped in these slick sections; with one poor guy falling face down in an ice cold creek, Brrrrr! My strategy for coping with the slick sections was to drag my foot back and forward on the surface several times before putting full weight, in order to roughen and melt the slick surface and provide better traction. Had these conditions persisted up to the more highly exposed sections of the wall, it would have been a very dangerous climb. Fortunately, after about 100 feet of vertical climbing we were above the cold air trapped in the valley and the temperature rose sufficiently above freezing that the trail was no longer frozen.  

  

The most interesting section of the climb is the infamous “Kissing Wall.” This narrow overhung section is quite exposed and requires a "big step" around a large, smooth boulder, with an intimidating drop-off below. The "step" reminded me of the famous "fresh air traverse" move experienced about half way of the east face of Mt. Whitney in the California Sierras. The name "Kissing Wall" comes from the profile presented by Greenhorn climbers as they, incorrectly, attempt to flatted themselves against the wall; opting to "kiss the wall" as they step around. In fact, climbing so close to the wall surface actually reduces the climber's balance, making the possibility of an erroneous slip more likely. Several of the climbers were actually lead around the section, with guides holding the leading and trailing hands of the climber.

"Kissing the Wall."

Baranco Wall Climbing Collage.

 Once reaching the wall top the remainder of the climb to Karangu camp was mostly flat and was travelled easily leading us into Camp 4 for a well-deserved pre-dinner nap! One of the more interesting features of the traverse to Karangu was the Eastern Breach, a totally barren stretch that was scoured clean by an ancient volcanic eruption. At his altitude, the climate is so hostile that the vegetation never grew back. 

 "Chillin" on Baranco Wall Break

 Marquees as Karanga Camp.