Western Breach

The Western Breach

DURATION

8 Days

TRIP THEME

Challenge

PHYSICAL

Extreme

PRICE

$$$$

BOOK THIS ROUTE

• OVERVIEW
• PROGRAM
• FULL ITINERARY
• MAP

The Western Breach Route can be accessed through Machame, Shira, Lemosho and Umbwe routes. Climbers on the Western Breach follow the above trails up to Lava Tower. They spend the night at Lava Tower Camp. Instead of taking the southern or the northern circuits, this route cuts directly up towards Arrow’s Glacier and proceeds to Western Breach. Hikers spent the night at Arrow’s Glacier (4900m) and Crater camps (5750m). The hike from Lava Tower is a slow one due to the steepness and to allow for acclimatization. The route is shorter one to Uhuru Peak than the trails passing through Stella Point and Gilman’s Point.

Although this route is very steep, it is not a technical one. There is however some scrambling over rocks and sometimes ice axe may be required when there has been snow fall. Climbers may require mountain climbing experience to trek on this route. The path is not well-beaten or defined. Due to snowfall at times, professionalism of the guides is required in guiding hikers through this route.

The itinerary and number of days for the hike on the Western Breach Route is similar to either Lemosho, Machame, Shira or Umbwe routes until Lava Tower. The descent is through Mweka Gate.

World Compass Adventures is one of the few companies that offer tailor-made itineraries on the Western Breach Route.

When using the Lemosho Route, the itinerary on the Western Breach Route would be a 9 day one. The itinerary would remain the same as that of Lemosho 8 days itinerary from Londorossi Gate all the up to Lava Tower.

On day 5, hikers deviate from the Lemosho Route itinerary to climb straight up from Lava Tower to Arrow Glacier Camp.

The Western Breach Route Advantages:

• Shortest routes to the summit
• Offers opportunities to enter the crater and spent a night at the crater
• Offers opportunities to access the Ash Pit, to explore Furtwangler Glacier, to see Ernst Reusch Crater and Northern and Eastern ice fields
• Not crowded

Disadvantages:

• Very steep
• Offers no time for acclimatization
• There are risks of rock fall
• At 5500m – 5600m hikers reach a point of no return which is dangerous in case there is need for evacuation because the only way out is up.

PRICING ON REQUEST

Day 1: Arusha –Londorossi Gate (2360m) – Mti Mkubwa or Big Tree Camp (2700m).

Day 2: Mti Mkubwa Camp (2700m) – Shira Camp 1 (3500m)

Day 3: Shira Camp 1 (3500m) – Shira Camp 2 (3840m)

Day 4: Shira Camp 2 (3,840m) – Lava Tower (4600m)

Day 5: Lava Tower (4600m) – Arrow Glacier Camp (4900m)

Day 6: Arrow Glacier Camp (4900m) – Crater Camp (5750m)

Day 7: Crater Camp (5750m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3100m)

Day 8: Mweka Camp (3100m) – Mweka Gate (1640m)

For the first four days, please refer to the Lemosho Route.

Walking time: 1.2 hours

Walking distance:1 km

Altitude gain: 300m

Walking time: 6-8 hours

Walking distance: 3 km

Altitude gain:850m

Walking time: 11-15 hours

Walking distance: 24 km

Altitude gain: 145m

Altitude loss: 2795m

Walking time: 3-4 hours

Walking distance: 10 km

Altitude loss: 1460m

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