Kibo hut, Tanzania

The morning followed a similar pattern with everyone waiting around to start off.. the sun was up and the day warming before there was any movement.

Eventually Sue and I got fed up waiting and set off.. the route to the next hut (the Kibo) was obvious and there was not really much chance of getting lost.

The route headed through the tundra, continuing the rising traverse, around the side of Mwenzi, to the plateau between it and the main peak. The hut lies at the base of the main peak, before the steep section starts.

As we approached the desert like plateau in the middle there was a ridge to cross. This involved an ascent and descent, but it was also the point where the tundra changes into a desert. the track is easy to see as it winds into the distance.

From here there is still a long way to go in the day, and the trudge across the desert is made more arduous by the heat -  another reason for an earlier start.

We ate lunch in the shelter of a large boulder in the middle (almost all senses) of the plateau, and then continued on towards the main peak.

As you get to the Kibo hut there is a final rise to negotiate before you get to the traditional stone bunkhouse building. Guaranteed to finish off any remaining energy.

The Dinner was a much simpler affair ... there is no firewood around nor is there any running water.. it all has to be carried from just above the last hut. ... It was a corned beef hash stew ... actually much better than it looked.

Most of our party was feeling the altitude, and although Sue and I arrived earlier than the others, it still took time to get used to being at the same height as the top of the Matterhorn. We sat out in the last of the sun with the porters, whilst we waited for the others.

Sleeping was a big problem (combining the usual altitude affected brain activity, with everyone else moving around) and several of the party were up and down to the loo all night (they were the ones who were taking anti-altitude sickness tablets).

As the sun went down on Mwenzi we reflected that tomorrow would be a big day