My hike to Kilimanjaro began a yr earlier than I even set foot on Tanzanian soil.
I used to be on a home flight in neighboring Kenya and the pilot introduced that if we regarded out the window to our proper, we might see the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro – the tallest peak in Africa. I made a decision there after which that I’d climb this iconic mountain – and I did.
Kilimanjaro is a well-liked peak, taken on by many who covet the title of climbing the tallest mountain in Africa. We people love superlatives – the most important, the tallest, the oldest. But don’t be fooled into pondering that simply because many have gone earlier than you, will probably be a stroll within the park. Oh no – that is essentially the most difficult factor I’ve ever performed. But I couldn’t advocate it extra.
The greatest feeling
I’m a agency believer that anybody can accomplish this really life-changing feat – I’m nonetheless nudging my mum to rise up there.
Here are my prime suggestions that can assist you rise up there too.
Go gradual
Before I went on this journey, I learn each weblog happening altitude illness – what had been the signs, what might I do to stop it – so to save lots of you from all that studying, right here ya go: prime tip – go gradual. I would wait till everybody had gone on forward and be a part of the road proper on the again, so I knew that I couldn’t go any slower.
The cause to go gradual is that your physique is working more durable at altitude. The air is thinner and there’s much less oxygen to breathe. The porters will let you know “pole, pole” which suggests “slowly, slowly”. Think of The Hare and the Tortoise. Be the tortoise. Walk slower than you usually would, and your physique will thanks.
Porters on the Kilimanjaro trek
Hikes like these should not a race. This is definitely considered one of my favourite issues about mountaineering – it’s not a aggressive sport. It’s the alternative in reality, everybody needs everybody to succeed. So don’t be ashamed to be on the again like I was. I didn’t get altitude illness, and I additionally made good mates with the porter whose job it was to carry up the rear. His grandfather was one of many first porters to work on the mountain. I wouldn’t know that if I used to be pacing on the entrance.
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Drink loads
Hydration may even thrust back attainable altitude illness. Ensure you’ve got a CamelPak or Platypus as an alternative of a bottle in order that water is consistently accessible as you stroll. When your arms are chilly you don’t wish to be taking off your gloves to unscrew a bottle prime. Plus, you ought to be consuming three liters a day, and it’s a problem to need to cease to take a bottle out of your bag each time you’re taking a sip.
And extra than simply water – take hydration salts. I put one sachet straight into my CamelPak on daily basis simply to ensure I used to be uber-hydrated. Diarrhea is widespread at altitude, and typically in case your physique is adjusting to being abroad, so salts like Dioralyte are your greatest buddy.
A hike you should be ready for
Get the best gear
I met somebody lately who climbed Kilimanjaro and hated the expertise – I used to be heartbroken – however not shocked when she defined why. The cause she doesn’t swoon nostalgically over how life-changing and magical summit night time was, is as a result of she was utterly unprepared. She didn’t have sufficient and even the best sort of clothes for the hike. And to prime it off, she by chance left her strolling boots at a petrol station on the way in which to the place to begin, and needed to climb in trainers. I can’t think about how terrible it will need to have been.
Even should you go to the mountain with all of the bodily coaching and psychological preparation attainable, with out strolling boots or heat garments, you’ll hate each second. I wore thermal layers, two pairs of gloves, a hat, scarf, a down jacket and had a heavy-duty sleeping bag, and I nonetheless shivered at night time.
So get high quality thermal gear, sufficient layers (of applicable supplies like fleece – not cotton which will get heavy with sweat), a down jacket is a should, a 4 season sleeping bag and hand heaters. Stuff your garments to the underside of your sleeping bag every night time so that they’re heat(ish) within the mornings.
Tough however lovely mountaineering circumstances
Also bear in mind a solar hat and solar cream. I bought sunburnt on day one and belief me, when chilly winds blow towards burnt pores and skin, it’s not enjoyable. Plus a head torch with sufficient batteries – in your tent, for lavatory journeys and for summit night time.
MACHAME OR MARANGU? WE ASK AN INTREPID LEADER WHICH KILIMANJARO ROUTE IS BEST
Sing and snigger
These are scientifically confirmed methods to launch endorphins and have a great time, which is so essential once you’re doing one thing this intense.
At the start of day 4, the place a few of our group had been actually affected by the altitude, morale was low. It was bitterly chilly after we woke as a result of we had been shaded from the solar. Trips to the bathroom had been, to place it flippantly, brisk. But as we began strolling we began singing – it was both Lose Yourself by Eminem, or Hakuna Matata from the Lion King, each applicable for our scenario – and morale soared immediately.
Whenever you’ve got sufficient lung capability, sing.
Find allies
One factor is for certain – you can not climb this mountain alone. If there was ever a time that you will want different individuals, climbing Kilimanjaro is it. You want them to look out for you. And by look out for you I imply actually maintain guard as you pee behind a rock when there are not any bogs round (which is anytime you’re not in a camp).
New mates
You additionally want allies to maintain you motivated. At the tip of Day 4, the night time earlier than the summit, I used to be at a low level. The Machame Route is widespread as a result of the route aids acclimatization by climbing excessive and sleeping low, giving your physique an opportunity to adapt. So although we’d gained 4000 meters since we left the city of Moshi, which is a imply feat in itself, we’d really climbed greater than that with a purpose to come again all the way down to sleep.
As we sat within the mess tent having dinner, I couldn’t assist however cry. I wasn’t unhappy, I used to be totally exhausted. I couldn’t cease the tears from falling. And as an alternative of creating it awkward, my fellow climbers simply laughed at me and bought out their cameras – that is the kind of perspective you should maintain happening the mountain!
LISTEN TO THE SWAHILI SONG THAT WILL GET YOUR TIRED LEGS UP MOUNT KILIMANJARO
Prepare bodily
I don’t say this for each hike, however for Kilimanjaro it’s essential.
Altitude illness strikes indiscriminately – it doesn’t matter whether or not you’re an Olympian or reigning pie-eating champion, you could possibly get hit. But regardless, being match for this hike is essential. Make certain you do coaching hikes up hills again residence earlier than heading over to Africa.
Prepare mentally
Summit night time is the toughest factor you’ll ever do. It’s why it’s additionally essentially the most wonderful factor you’ll ever do. But it’s important to put together. It turns into far more about your mindset than your bodily energy at that time. I used to be actually falling asleep as I walked, a porter supporting me in case I fell. Porters will aid you as a lot as they presumably can – they usually really are angels – however on the finish of the day it’s all the way down to you.
Knowing this, I made myself a summit playlist on my iPod Classic (could she relaxation in peace) filled with motivating tunes. I tucked it beneath about eight layers of clothes to make sure the battery didn’t freeze (a legit concern) and pressed play. Rocketman by Elton John began me off. All good. But when the track ended, it began once more. I had left the “repeat” setting turned on and I used to be going to both take heed to Elton on repeat for the nine-hour ascent, or take heed to nothing. So I pulled out the earphones and as an alternative listened to myself say “step by step, take it step by step”.
It sounds cliché however once you do that ascent, crawling up unfastened scree in the dark, you uncover energy that you simply didn’t know you had. Just take it step-by-step.
And be sure you cease to absorb that dawn – it’s phenomenal.
How Long Does it Take to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
It takes 5 to 9 days with a purpose to attain the Mount Kilimanjaro Summit after which descend to the ending level. The extra days spent on Mount Kilimanjaro the extra doubtless you’ll efficiently summit, as you’ll grow to be extra acclimatised to the altitude and will likely be much less fatigued.
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Tempted to tackle the journey of a lifetime? Trek Kilimanjaro with Intrepid Travel.
Looking for a seashore break publish Kilimanjaro? Zanzibar is paradise.
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Image credit from prime to backside: Ian Jones, Jen Welch, Michelle Tennant, Intrepid Travel, Ian Jones, Jen Welch, Jen Welch
