5.1.2017: Mount Meru Day 3 - Sunrise at Rhino point and Descent.
We start this walk at 5 a.m. in full darkness. A very small light stripe to the east depicts the direction, where the sun will rise in about an hour.
First picture therefore from the "summit". Rhino Point (a few rhino bones are lying around) is a stunning view point, where you can see Little and Big Meru and Kilimandscharo. Still the sun is not up.
Starting now. First sunlight on Kilimandscharo, the valley with the Momella Lakes still in shadow.
A few minutes later - first rays of sunshine on Mount Meru.
Olsi (Oswald) "is posing" ...
... and takes my picture too.
Mount Meru (4.560 m). The scondary crater to the left, which was formed by an eruption in the 1880´s.
Little Meru (3.801 m)
Wonderful morning light now .
Meru
Little Meru and Kilimandscharo, spot the green roofs of the saddle hut.
Olsi makes shade for this picture. The sun is a bit above the horizon now.
270 degree Panorama taken on Rhino Point. Big and Little Meru, Kilimandscharo in the distance. Click here or into the picture for a larger display.
Auf der Nordseite liegen einige Wolken über dem Tal.
180 degree Panorama (northern half) taken on Rhino Point. Big and Little Meru, Kilimandscharo in the distance. Click here or into the picture for a larger display.
As the altitude of Little Meru is given with 3.801 m, this height cannot be correct - it must be a lttle bit more, because the summit of Little Meru stays beneath the horizon (see pictures above).
The shadow of Mount Meru on Ngorongoro mountains and Serengeti.
Little Meru and Kilimanscharo, in full sunlight now.
Meru shadow
Mount Meru in full morning light. Click here or into the picture for a larger display.
Meru with the secundary crater. About 8.000 years ago, the eastern half of the Mount Meru broke down during a huge eruption. The mountain was much higher before.
Meru shadow
The clouds left to Little Meru in full sunlight now.
A somewhat exposed of the path is improved by a rope. The tiny peak between the clouds and the left slope of Little Meru is Mukuru Peak, which I climbed 3 days ago.
Starting for the descent now. Sunlight in the valley, which stays in the dust - up to half of Kilimandscharo´s height.
Northeastern panorama with Little Meru and Kilimandscharo. Click here or into the picture for a larger display.
Blick nach Südosten, Olsi gibt mir wieder Schatten. View to Southeast, Olsi in right position for the shade.
Little Meru and Kilimandscharo
Little Meru and Kilimandscharo
The clouds in the valley start to dissolve.
Little Meru and Kilimandscharo, on the descent from Rhino Point.
Woodfire up to this place.
Red hot poker (Kniphofia Thomsonii) in all stages from flower to fruit. You only find this in tropical areas, where there are nearly no seasons.
Kilimandscharo greeting over to the saddle hut, ...
... but I have different interests now.
Kilimandscharo once more begins to "float" - above the dust.
Plume thistles growing even hier: Cirsium Buchwaldii - I call it "Buchwald´s Plume thistle" lacking a proper English name. Many thanks to Oliver Leich for die identification via Facebook.
Once more walking through the mountain rain forest ...
... down, and after a lunch break at the Miriakamba hut down to the large grassland.
This Giraffe isn´t really shy.
A few sidesteps, when I come too close.
African buffalos lazyly laying around in the sun ...
...
... whereas the warthogs are looking for food.
