Climb time 7hours. Habitat: Moorland.
Today we explore the Shira plateau for a full day. We climb east towards Kino’s glacier end peak, across the plateau, which leads to Shira 2, we then continue to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. This climb is excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
After a breakfast of oatmeal, scrambled egg and toast and a variety of local fruits we headed out again into the Moorlands. Weather today was really odd, for a time very hot, then cold, then windy/hot and windy/cold. The entire day you were layering on then layering off. The climb was very dusty, rocky….you really could not look up to enjoy the view, every step had to be caution. We would stop quite frequently as the team was finding today pretty hard, 3rd day aches. Every stop was a good time to take in the breath taking views, chat, laugh and inspire each other. By this time all personalities had come to the surface, we also knew that we would remain family forever. Gabriel was our comic relief, Dennis (Earl) words of wisdom, Deb full of energy, Jen our resident athlete, Freddie my coach and Augustine my therapist. When I got tired Freddie would say “Bibi61 just give me one more minute” and at the end of the day Augustine would consult with me “Bibi61 what is your body telling you?” Our team a total team!!!
By this time I had become used to the world being on an elevation. Quite funny at night…. I would wake up and find myself at the bottom of the tent, not wanting to get out of my sleeping bag I would “worm” myself back up. I also relied on music at night….John Lennon Imagine album, Meagan Trainor and Eric Church became my lullaby.
Although my pulse and oxygen levels remained excellent I did however found myself breathing a bit harder and my legs felt heavier.
That evening in Moir Hut (wishful thinking on the hut) it got very very cold….two layers and socks required.
Vitals: pulse good, oxygen good, 1&2 yes (behind a rock), appetite good, lungs good, score 9 dry mouth, scratchy throat from dust.