This was a shorter day, trekking to a small camp just above the Shira Plateau.  There was another party on the trail - the same one we saw at Shira Camp - who left camp just before us; we passed each other on the trail on and off.  During one of their stops, a lady in the other party concealed herself most decorousy behind some tall rocks to take care of business - but unfortunately in full view of us as we rounded the corner!  Oh dear.

We stopped by Simba River and looked into Simba Cave, which used to be used overnight by porters before the practice was outlawed by the Park authorities.  No lions, but we saw evidence of buffalo - still humming, so they must have been by earlier that day, at well over 12,000 feet.  Barney and Greg reminded each other to go "Pole Pole" and drink plenty of water.  Mild headaches came and went.  Very dusty.

The sun came out and it became surprisingly warm as we headed towards lunch in camp.  The last stretch of trail up to Scott Fischer Camp was quite steep - Ray advised us to take small steps.  We enjoyed a great lunch as always: soup, tuna salad, cheese (excellent), fruit, 2 cups of tea.  Ray suggested a rest in the tent before our afternoon acclimatization hike, but it was too hot!  We asked for water and had a strip wash.  Alarmingly dirty!

Sunscreen was very important on our afternoon hike under the equatorial sun.  We climbed a short but steep trail to the ridge above camp where Barney found a cell signal - he talked to Anna and Greg talked to Kathy.  Barney also texted our sisters, Shanti and Sara - and Shanti replied!  Back to camp for dinner and bedtime.