The transition to the mountain’s lower slopes, typically on the second day, brings a change in vegetation from savanna to montane forest and cloud forest.

The air becomes more humid, the forest denser, the trail more enclosed.

The sound of water becomes more constant as streams from the mountain’s slopes cross the trail repeatedly.

The ramp — the geological inclined plane that provides the only non-technical route to the summit — is a sustained climb over wet, rocky, sometimes muddy terrain.

The effort required varies considerably with weather conditions.

In dry conditions, the rock surface provides good traction and the route is manageable.