Day 11  -  Up to Camp Cholera

 

This is final camp before summit attempt tomorrow. We have another very slow start from camp and the speed at which people move continues to polarize as the altitude has more of an impact so we are likely to split into two groups tomorrow. Weather varies from being burnt by the sun, including its reflection off the snow and ice, to snow being driven horizontally by freezing winds.
The trek up to the camp at about 5,985 is pretty steep and it is now taking a long time to cover small distances.

 

This is now the highest I have been passing Kili at 5,895 shortly before the very steep slope into camp.
Yet again we have another stunning campsite above the clouds.

 

 

Very strangely is that even when there is complete cloud cover and you can't tell where the sun is, it is still very bright and dark sunglasses need to be worn.
Pm is one of recovering preparation for tomorrow, sheltering from the sun and getting prepared for the 5am start tomorrow.
Main task is to get water ready for drinking and eating today as well as drinking on the summit day tomorrow. Aim is to time your venture out of the tent to collect snow in the brief (ie less than a minute) sunny periods before the strong and rather chilly wind returns. Unfortunately it takes rather a long time to melt the snow so rising at 03:30 rather than 4 am is being mooted in order to have a proper breakfast before we head off.
Food today:
Scrambled eggs, bacon and mushrooms (fd). Not sure they really survive the process.
A couple of chocolate bars on late arrival at camp.
Sweet and sour pork with noodles (fd). Pretty good - the Asian flavors seem to work well. Custard with Apple.