Day 5 - Lava Tower to Arrow Glacier
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I wake up with a pounding headache, probably a combination of the altitude and the slope of tent (head lower than feet). Tea and another card from the girls revive me and we're off again. It's a short hike to Arrow Glacier, and we arrive in camp by noon. Virtually no vegetation at this altitude, just lots of boulders, volcanic scree, and dirt. It's cold and windy in camp, and the clouds roll in and over the Western Breach, obscuring our view of the summit. The other climbers have arrived ahead of us and set up camp as well. This is the only camp so far where we have seen any litter. I'm surprised to see this much trash, because this particular route to the summit is less popular, since it is harder and steeper than the southern circuit route. It makes me wonder what the conditions are like at the other camps on the more frequently traveled routes.
Louise, Raymond, and I walk up part of the Breach to get used to the altitude (as if that's possible). Going is very slow (pole pole) and the ground is unstable due to all the loose rock. We maybe gain 250 feet in an hour. But, it's nice to get out and about, even if it's cold and damp. It starts to snow so we head back to camp for another hot meal and an early turn in. We are now sleeping in our long underwear, long-sleeve shirt, sweat pants, fleece pullover, socks, and a hat. Reading in the tent at night requires gloves (in addition to the headlamp, which still cracks Louise up) and we have stashed our boots and water bottles in the tent with us so they don't freeze. "What were we thinking?"
Photos from today, June 16, 2003.
Day 5 starts |
Breaking camp at Lava |
The trail up |
Ready to climb |
Intrepid explorers |
Trail from Lava |
Trail in background |
Long and winding road ahead |
Look how far we've come |
Break time |
Trail |
Louise and Victor |
Arrow Glacier camp |
Pesky anscestors |
Arrow Glacier camp |
Camp clouds |
Lava tower in clouds |
It's getting colder |
Louise |
Dusk at camp |
Western Breach in clouds |