Day 5 - Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp via the Barranco Wall
On top of the Barranco Wall. We're not done for the day, but needed a break, needed to soak in the view, and do a little celebrating after conquering the wall!
The Kissing Rock isn't' as scary as social media makes it out to be, but it was good to get around it.
Had to the do the obligatory Instagram shot of leaping above the clouds.
In addition to their speed and stamina the balance all the porters showed on trail was truly amazing!
The map doesn't do the wall justice. The scenery, however, does!
I wish I have had more time to enjoy the natural surroundings. I'm too focused on my breathing and often on each and every foot fall and foot placements between the rocks along the trail. The environment here is amazing with its unique flora and fauna. The fog is now continually drifting in and out or are we just in the clouds? When the clouds are gone, the sun is so intense given our altitude, that it creates really sharp shadows that accentuate everything. The lichens swaying on the rocks and hanging from the trees are very different than any I've seen anywhere else. They're brown, almost rust in color, and hang off almost all the vertical surfaces.
We started the day by tackling the Barranco Wall. It looks intimidating from a distance but its more of a switchback scramble. There are few somewhat dicey parts that you need to be real careful or risk a 10-15 fall, but its something that almost anyone can take slowly and you'll be fine. Our guides did an amazing job of keeping an eye on us, suggesting feet and hand holds and being right there just in case we needed a hand.
Here's a short video to give you a sense what the Barranco Wall is like. Its not really a wall, but series of switchbacks and scrambles. You don't have to worry about falling off the wall, but you do have to be very careful. There's quite a few spots were you could slip and fall 5-10 feet down.
Today, it actually seems like I can do this. The Barranco Wall was tough, my breathing labored, but it felt right. My muscles and my breathing felt as they should for that challenge and at this elevation. Hanging out now at 13,500 feet. I have to say, I feel quite good. I don't know what sleeping at 16,000 feet will be like or waking up at midnight and climbing up to 19,000, but honestly, I'm now more worried about going down than getting to the top right now.
Today has been the best day so far. The scenery was just incredible, we conquered the Barranco Wall, but probably what makes the most enjoyable is the self-doubt I've been filled with noticeably dissipated today. I think I can make this! When I told this to Mike, he sarcastically responded with let's see, "what new fresh hell waits for us tomorrow". Like me he used humor and sarcasm to diffuse tension. I know he felt the same way about today as I did. It was an excellent day. You can view the route on Strava, here.
I'm a collector, a passionate collector, of perfect moments. Those moments in your life when you are entirely present in the that moment in time. Time seems to slow, but you wish you could stay right there very long time. Thoughts of the past, the future, your to do list, work and life responsibilities, or demands on you can't penetrate that moment. You just are present in the now.
Perfect moments don't come is often as I would like, but that what makes them special. I don't recognize them as a perfect moment until they're over. They're too fleeting in time, but are burned in my memory forever. Getting to the top of the Barranco Wall, seeing the clouds now below, celebrating the accomplishment and just being, truly being there was indeed a perfect moment. If i look back on the climb up the wall, it is one part of the trip that I took very few pictures. Perhaps its because that perfect moment extended back into the climb itself longer than I realized?