Day 3: Horombo Huts 12,200 ft - Acclimatize Day
Horombo Hut 12200 ft Mt. Kilimanjaro Day 3 - Acclimatize Day Thursday, 28 January 2010
Hi Everyone!
Today we are at the Horombo Hut for a day of rest and acclimatizing to the altitude. We went for a short hike up to Zebra Rocks and to 1300 ft to get our bodies used to the heights and then we came back down. After the quick hike we grabbed some hot lunch. Right now, we are all enjoying each others back rubbing abilities. I am feeling a lot better now and everyone seems to be in great spirits and feeling as well as you can at this altitude. Everyone wants to tell their mothers that are reading this that everyone is doing well and safe. Back to my backrub…
- Derek
Right now, I’m not feeling anything bad from the altitude, apart from a few minor headaches that have gone away quickly. My chair is working well and handling the trail OK. We have been trying different techniques to get me across the difficult sections and the porters are learning how best to help me. Yesterday we saw a lady being wheeled very rapidly (and bumpily) down the mountain on a stretcher with a single joelette wheel, surrounded by half a dozen porters and a very worried looking husband / partner. The sight of it made us all wonder how the altitude would affect us and realized this is not a vacation!
It’s hard starting out in the morning, as there is no warm-up: the trail starts heading straight up immediately. My deltoids are on fire for about half an hour until I get warmed up. So tomorrow we’re doing to try a little rubbing and stretching before we start out. Talking about rubbing, I have been rubbing the shoulders and backs of the film guys this afternoon, which let’s you know how good I am feeling!
- Erica
All in all I have felt good physically and mentally, but I have been having some pretty severe neck pains, probably from sleeping on the plane. My leg gave me a little bit of trouble today on the downhill section of our “acclimitization” hike; it just makes me slow down and walk extra carefully so I don’t lose my balance. I have had our assistant guide Charles at my side every step of the way. Looking forward to summitting!
- Tara
About me
We are headed to Africa to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania with two challenged athletes. Our goal is to raise awareness for individuals with physical challenges so they can participate and compete in the sports they love with portions of the proceeds to benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation. By providing opportunities and resources needed for active lifestyles, CAF enhances these individuals’ self-esteem, independence and quality of life.In January of 2010, we start our journey from Los Angeles International Airport and head towards Tanzania, and we would like to invite all of you to follow along!
Here we will frequently be keeping you all up to date on our progress before, during, and after the climb.
Keep checking back!
