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Mount
Kilimanjaro is situated
in Tanzania, right
next to the country’s
northern border
with Kenya, in East
Africa. At 5895m
above sea level,
it is the highest
mountain in Africa.
Although only 330
kms south of the
Equator, on the
northern boundary
of Tanzania, its
location on an open
plain close to the
Indian Ocean, and
its great size and
height, strongly
influence the climate
and this its vegetation,
animal life and
the climbing conditions.It
is composed of three
extinct volcanoes,
Kibo 5895m, Mawenzi
5149m and Shira
3962m. It
is also one of the
world’s highest
free-standing mountains.
Mount
Kilimanjaro has
5 ecological zones
namely: The lower
slopes, Montane
forest, heather
and moorland, Alpine
highland desert
and The summit making
it one of the most
beautiful and varied
peaks on Earth.
Because
of its gradient,
terrain and vegetation,
Mount Kilimanjaro
is the easiest of
the major mountains
of the world to
climb and almost
anyone, armed with
sufficient fitness
can climb and reach
its summits. One
does not require
specialist technical
mountaineering skills.
Over the years,
climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
has become so popular
and it is now one
of the Seven Summits
of the world, the
seven highest and
most sought-after
peaks on each continent
on the planet. It
is as high as humans
can go without requiring
oxygen
Mt.
Kilimanjaro has
5 climbimg routes
to the summit ranging
from 5 to 8 days.
The climbing
Itineraries
are as follows:
Marangu
Route (6 days/5
nights)
Machame
Route (7 days/6
nights)
Shira
Route (Western Breach/Lemosho
combination) (8
days/7 nights)
Rongai
Route (6 days/5
nights)
Umbwe
Route (6 days/5
nights)
Mount
Meru Extension (4
days/3 nights)
Machame,
Shira, Rongai and
Umbwe are camping
routes while Marangu
accommodation is
huts.
When
planning a climb
up Mount Kilimanjaro,
it is important
to note that any
extra day you can
spend on the climb
is a worthwhile
investment and will
assist your effort
to reach the summit.
A night in Arusha
on the slopes of
the mountain before
the climb and possibly
one after the climb
is also a good idea.
Medical
advice and tips
on acclimatization
to altitude:
Acclimatizing
to altitude is very
importance because
all climbers feel
the effects of high
altitude in varying
degrees. Many experience
a mild form of altitude
sickness. But severe
forms of altitude
sickness can be
debilitating even
life-threatening
if not treated immediately.
Following
are suggestions
on how climbers
can speed up the
acclimatization
process and increase
chances of a more
enjoyable and successful
climb:
• Drinking
lots of fluids is
highly recommended
as it helps flush
out toxins from
the body improving
functions and circulations.
Four to five liters
of fluid a day are
ideal mostly during
the day to avoid
disrupted sleep.
• It
is good to include
sufficient rest
days as every extra
night spent en-route
to the summit is
a worthwhile addition
and helps acclimatization.
• Wherever
possible, it is
recommended climbers
try to use their
spare time in camps
to walk to a point
higher than the
one at which they
would sleep. Walking
high, Sleeping low.
This helps the body
acclimatize to an
altitude with lesser
oxygen making the
body suffer less,
when you sleep.
• Every
minute spent on
trail is helps the
body acclimatize.
Walk Slowly. There
is often little
to do when you reach
the camps anyway.
Slowly is the best
way to absorb in
the fabulous views
and scenery of Kilimanjaro.
• To
use or not to use
Diamox is something
we prefer to leave
to the guest. Tests
have shown that
it does not mask
the symptoms of
altitude sickness
and is considered
by many to be an
aid to acclimatization.
NOTE: Recent tests
have showed GINGKO
to be an effective
herbal aid to acclimatization
but this has yet
to be confirmed
by any recognized
medical or mountaineering
authority.
Climbers
should consult their
doctor for further
information and
advice.
RECOMMENDED
CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES
Insulated,
waterproof, well-broken-in
hiking boots with
rigid uppers and
thick soles.
A
pair of light weight
walking shoes.
Several
pairs of warm socks.
Several
pairs of lightweight
socks.
A pair
of insulated hiking
or ski gloves
A
lightweight pair
and a heavier second
pair of thermal
underwear to wear
together
3 to
4 sets of underwear
A
pair of shorts
A
pair of lightweight
slacks
A pair
of warm, windproof
slacks.
2 lighter-weight
tee shirts
2
woolen or flannel
shirts with long
sleeves
2 warm
sweaters (fleece-type)
A
lightweight rain
gear, coat with
a hood and an umbrella.
Gore-tex
rain and windproof
jacket or duvet
ski coat with 4season
rating.
A Hat
with brim to keep
off the sun
Balaclava,
fleece or woolen
to wear beneath
hat on summit day
A
down-filled, hooded
parka or gore-tex
anorak.
Mud gaiters
Well-insulated
sleeping bag suitable
for temperatures
of 20-degrees Fahrenheit
Optional
camping pillow
Dark
sunglasses with
very high Ultra
Violet rays protection
or snow goggles
Sunscreen with
high SPF and lip
balm containing
a sun block
A
medium sized duffel
bag for all your
gear and clothing
which will be carried
by the porters for
you.
• Sturdy
frameless bags,
racksacks and duffel
bags are ideal for
porters to carry
up. Porters
always move ahead
to the next camp
so guests must carry
what
they need
for the day unless
they are paying
for a trail porter.
A
lightweight daypack
of between 30 and
40 litres, to carry
your own water,
camera, valuables,
film, etc. in.
• It
is recommended clients
carry their daily
requirements in
a daypack including
water,
raingear, snacks,
sun creams and personal
valuables such as
money and passports.
Flashlight
(with extra batteries);
A head lamp would
be ideal especially
for the last part
of the climb that
is done at night
Walking
sticks are especially
useful on descents.
Cramp-ons are optional
and rarely needed.
Small
hand towel, soap,
matches, 2 rolls
of toilet paper,
tissue and ‘wet
ones’.
Plastic
bags/bin liners
for keeping dirty
or wet clothes and/or
protecting the sleeping
bag.
High energy
snacks such as chocolate
bars, muesli, instant
hot drinks, etc.
PLEASE
NOTE TOO:
Playing
cards, books, etc.
can be very useful
especially on acclimatization
days when we reach
camps early.
on
the extremely cold
and windy summit
day, one should
wear several layers
and a protective
shell
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