Breakfast at 8:00am with temperature at 25 degrees before briefing with Louisa. Collected our sleeping bags & porters loaded van. Drove an hour to Marangu gate for check in then 3 hour drive to Rongai with stop to collect rest of porters & a stop for lunch at Tarakea.

Set off from Rongai gate at 2:30pm in sweltering heat. After 10 minutes realised I had lost my sunglasses, doubled back but they were nowhere to be seen. Carried on at a very steady pace stopping twice for rest & drinks. Saw monkeys in the forest & upon leaving the forest we entered farmland where children came running from the shacks asking for sweets. Arrived at first camp after three & a half hours. Porters set tents up & we had an excellent meal of vegetable soup followed by beef stew & potatoes. In bed at 9:00pm ready for an early start tomorrow. Dropped very cold at night.