Lava Tower Camp lies at about 4,600 metres in the alpine desert on Kibo's western slopes, at the foot of the Lava Tower, a tall outcrop of dark volcanic rock. Most Machame and Lemosho climbers only stop here for lunch before dropping to Barranco Camp, but groups heading for the Western Breach stay the night to acclimatise. It is high, bare and cold, snow can linger in the shadows, and Arrow Glacier Camp is only about 1 km further on.