Xero Sandals on Kilimangaro
Stage 2 to Kibo Hut
The next stage of our climb up Mount Kilimanjaro was 9 kms (about 6 miles) which doesn't sound like a lot but the altitude shift was significant. We started at 3720 meters (12,204 feet) in the morelands between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. We climbed to 4700 meters (15,500 feet) as the vegetation turned into a moonscape. During the first stage, after 21 kms hiking barefoot and a climb of 2000 meters (6600 feet) on various types of terrain, my feet were a mess.
We woke at 6 am when the porters brought tea to our bunk room. I have no idea what the temperature was, but it was freezing cold all night. The zipper on my rented sleeping bag didn’t close properly, but fortunately I had a sleeping bag liner I borrowed from my friend who had summited the mountain a year ago. I was so grateful to have it. The porters came in with a bowl of hot water to wash our face and hands. No showers there. After I washed up I wiped my feet with sanitized wipes and then used this water to soak my swollen feet. 👣 It felt like I was at a spa!
Breakfast was a selection of crepes, omelettes, oatmeal with cocoa, sausages, toast, bananas, and instant coffee or tea. The other ladies ate lots of peanut butter, jam, Nutella, bananas, fruit, juice, crepes and meat. I kept my diet very simple. Crepes, cheese, a bit of coffee with lots of hot milk, and a banana.
After breakfast, our lead guide Maik suggested I lead the pace of the group and we started climbing in a Poli Poli ( slowly) pace. it was perfect for me because knew I could stay focussed on my breath and keep the pace moving forward.
Throughout the walk that day I was dealing with a lot of dizziness and loss of balance. This triggered the trauma from my post concussion symptoms and made me feel very uneasy. Also, since I wasn’t barefoot, my brain and my body lost the sense of where I was in space and time. For me wearing shoes is extremely stressful because I can’t feel the ground. I’m sure my Barefoot friends would completely understand!
We took a short break a few hours into the climb, to eat a snack. The climb required extreme focus on our breath with every step because of the altitude and because we had very little time to adjust in order to complete it in 48 hours! Wim Hof had joined a Zoom call with all of us and advised us to breathe more than we think we need. That was great advice.
When we stopped for a snack, we also did Wim Hof method breathing with a short breath hold on the inhale. Although extremely exhausted, I felt relatively good when we got to Kibo Hut, our stop for the afternoon. We finished the day quite early. Maybe 2PM?? Sadly, I didn’t write down any times so I have no idea. Once I sat down in the hut, I was a bit dizzy and forgetful. My oxygen was down to 78 % so I did some breathwork till it was above 82%.
The final stage would begin around 11 PM that night so we had a hot lunch, and a nap. A few hours later they wanted us to eat a warm dinner and then we tried to sleep again, or at least rest, until we were off again into the night.
Now it was time to get my mind set for the final ascent to the top of the mountain. Oddly, I felt slightly indifferent and completely comfortable with however this journey unfolded for me. 🙏
The next post will be the final stage. Can we do it in 48 hours when most people take 5 - 7 days! Stay tuned...
incaspin qué experiencia tan intensa, especialmente por el cambio de paisaje al acercarse a Kibo Hut. pasar de una zona con vegetación a un entorno casi lunar a más de 4.700 metros debe ser impresionante, y además las condiciones de frío hacen que cada pequeño detalle cobre mucha importancia. me hizo gracia la comparación del baño de pies con un spa después de tantos kilómetros y del esfuerzo de la primera etapa. Kibo Hut se encuentra precisamente alrededor de los 4.700 metros, en la zona de desierto alpino entre Mawenzi y Kibo. por cierto, mientras leía la historia también encontré
And that closing note about feeling oddly indifferent and comfortable with however it unfolded? That's a remarkable mental state to reach before the final ascent. Not resignation — acceptance. That's often what carries people through the hardest final push.
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Can't wait for the final stage update — rooting for them!
Taking on Kilimanjaro in Xero sandals is such an extraordinary testament to barefoot conditioning and functional foot strength! Most trekkers rely on heavy, rigid alpine boots, so testing minimalist footwear across rugged volcanic rock and changing altitude zones takes immense physical endurance and mindfulness. After spending hours hiking trails or following demanding expedition blogs, taking a quick mental breather on pacificspins in the evening is my favorite way to decompress and reset. Thank you for continuing to inspire us to reconnect with the ground, Sue!
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What an incredible stage of the climb! Reaching 4,700 metres after that long first day must have been exhausting, especially with sore feet and freezing nights. The simple breakfast and warm foot soak sound like small comforts that make a huge difference at altitude. It’s fascinating to read about the practical side of the journey. I also came across https://clubplayercasinos.ca/ while browsing online, another little discovery along the way.