Kilimanjaro diary - climbing day 2

Pic: camp at end of climbing day 2 and you're already looking down on the clouds!

Mission Control:   Wednesday was their 2nd day on the mountain and the 7hr climb took the team to "Third Cave" at 3800 m altitude where they were to camp for the night.     They ascended steadily throughout the morning until they reached "Second Cave" (3450m altitude) where they stopped for lunch and from where there are spectacular views of Kibo, ice fields on the crater rim and the, seemingly endless, Kenyan plains.
The Rongai route ascents Kilimanjaro from the northeastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. This route retains a sense of unspoilt wilderness and offers a different perspective on Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north.
The day was fairly challenging for our intrepid climbers who reflected on it after dinner

Allie:   "Tough, long day with what seemed like endless uphill - but we made it!   Great help from heart rate monitor. So glad I got one.   Right now sleeping bag and bed sounds really good......"

Andy:  "Challenging day but I made it through!   As the journey progresses the changes in terrain, weather, etc  test one physically and it requires lots of determination to continue but I don't regret the challenge at all.   Boo Bear, I miss you!"

Bonnita:   "Helluva day!   7hrs of walking uphill!   1000m increase in altitude!   At one stage I thought I was going to conk out.   Thanks to Deshun and Hannes for wonderful support and encouragement.   Looking forward to the rest day tomorrow."

Derek:   "Tougher 2nd day.   Climbed 1000m vertical metres in 7hrs and are now at 3900m   Started feeling nauseous after lunch but, with great care from Allie, Hannes and Nurse Deshun, we got to camp in 1 piece.   Feeling good now and had a good supper.   To Darryl on his 24th birthday tomorrow, happy birthday, son!"

Hannes:   "Not quite Tietiesbaai, but at about 4000 tonight we're having a ball!   Hakuna ma-aikhona matata for some.   Food  devoured by all and Thami had a monster meal.   Kedi going like a boeing and find her mountain feet.   Air from inside giving vooma! to all."

Jan:    "Choices in songs we sing range over an amazing 40yrs [from the youngest to the eldest members] in the team.   At the sound of Jim Reeves' "He'll have to go" Deshun took off like a rocket and tried to skewer me with her walking stick. Can't think why.   Anyway I've decided to shut up and stick the boeremusiek and Phuse Khemize maskanda on my iPod."

Kedi:   "Today reminded me of the attributes of a successful team.   What a team this is!   The strong were there for the weak and we kept each other focussed on the goal  -  reaching camp."

Thami:  "Amalanga awafani.   You never know how your body will react from one moment to the next.  Woke up today feeling really sick but by lunchtime I'd found my walking groove.   'Pole pole, hakuna matata' as the locals say.   I thought of all my loved ones and counted my blessings."

Deshun:   A long day.   Quite hard for some but, all in all, everyone did very well.    Of course everyone's in high spirits now that we're in camp for the night and tomorrow's a rest day!