BARRANCO WALL – A STEEP BUT DOABLE CLIMB UP
Barranco Wall on Mt Kilimanjaro forms part of your early morning exercise on day 4 for climbers on the Machame, Shira, Umbwe and Lemosho Route.
The Barranco Wall looks a lot more ominous than it actually is. You need no technical climbing skills to be able to scale the Barranco wall.
BARRANCO WALL ELEVATION – OVERVIEW
Most trekkers on Kilimanjaro, excluding those on the Maragu Route, Northern Circuit and Rongai Route, need to contend with the Barranco Wall.
The climb is often called the Barranco Breakfast Wall as it is the first thing that you need to do on day four of your trek.
The Barranco Wall elevation is 257 meters – it seems higher but it is not!
The trick is to go slowly and make sure of each footing you take. Be deliberate and use all four limbs to scramble up the wall. It is best not to use your trekking poles for this part of your hike as they can often get in your way as you maneuver your way up the Barranco Wall.
The climb up the Barranco wall takes between 1-2 hours – depending on your fitness level.
At the top of the Barranco Wall the trail continues to Karanga Camp which sits in the Karanga Valley. Here you will finally get a chance to rest and enjoy some lunch. Some people sleep at Karanga Camp and only carry on to the next camp, Barafu, on day five. If you stop for the night at Karanga you are on a seven day route.
If you are on a six day route, you will still have a three hour climb ahead of you to base camp Barafu. It is therefore important not to expend all your energy on scaling the Barranco Wall and remain cognizant that you still have a lot more trekking ahead of you.
Trekkers on the six day route typically get to Barafu around mid afternoon. You will be served something to eat and then it is important to get some shut-eye as you will be woken at ~12pm to start your ascent for the summit.
“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.” – Nelson Mandela
BARRANCO WALL PICTURES
BARRANCO WALL QUICK FACTS
- Only climbers on the Machame, Shira, Lemosho and Umbwe Routes climb the Barranco Wall
- It is typically climbed on day four of your hike
- The Barranco wall elevation is 257 meters
- You do not need technical climbing skills to scale the Barranco Wall
- In climbing terms the Barranco Wall is considered a ‘scramble’
- It is best not to use your trekking poles on the Barranco Wall
“It’s like climbing a staircase. I’m on the top of the staircase, I look behind me and I see the steps. That’s where I was.”
Jeanne Moreau
See here for a complete Kilimanjaro gear and kit packing list.
Recommended Gear for your Kilimanjaro Adventure
Trekking Poles are a must on Kilimanjaro – hiking for 6-7 days takes a serious toll on your knees, hips and ankles. Trekking poles can reduce the impact on your joints by up to 20%. Ideal poles should be sturdy, lightweight and adjustable for your height and for storage. We highly recommend black diamond trekking poles – they are unisex, affordable, very reliable and super versatile. Perfect for Mount Kilimanjaro!
