The porters awakened us in our tents with “would you like tea or coffee or hot chocolate?” and we were soon dressed and eating breakfast. We hiked into the next climate zone (feels like a cool Arizona desert) and are now settling into a camp from which we can see the top of the mountain when the clouds move aside. In the next few days we’ll be hiking through those clouds, sturdied by those who cook, clean, fix camp and guide our progress up the mountain. Much respect and appreciation for these dark-skinned, bright-smiled lifesavers.

- Rick