Climbing volcanoes: Karisimbi 4507m
Trip Start
Jul 21, 2007
1
12
18
Trip End
Aug 04, 2007
The Virungas,
Rwanda
Sunday, July 29, 2007
We drive to Kinigi and pick up the guide. Then, again, we go to the starting point (the same as yesterday). As the Karisimbi is the highest volcanoe of Rwanda, we'll accomplish the ascent in two days. So, this time we have to take with us a tent, sleeping bags, enough drinking water and something to eat in the evening. We will engage 2 porters to carry our rucksacks.
About 10 soldiers are accompanying us, for our safety -they say- because we could encounter poachers. Another reason is that we are really close to the Congolese border where lots of 'bad guys' are (the exiled Hutu militants) and the RDF soldiers would protect our security.
The track follows the saddle between Visoke and Karisimbi. Some five hours after beginning the trek we arrive at a metal hut which is where the porters stay for the night and where we have to set up our tent. The rocky and sometimes snow-covered summit is a further two to four hours walk through alpine vegetation. This is a wonderful walk although it is quite
arduous and conditions can be wet, cold and muddy.
To do this trek you need plenty of warm clothing and a very warm sleeping bag. At evening it gets very cold up there.
