Tour Guide, Moshi, Tanzania
| 3 mins read
There are tips for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro successfully.
Choose a longer stay
For the highest chance of success and lowest risk of altitude sickness, choose a tour with more number of days upon the mountain than the one with shorter days. When climbing Kilimanjaro, chances of success summit increases depending on the number of days you spend on the mountain. In most case scenarios 85% of climbers who chooses an average of 8 days to have the highest success rate as compared to those who chooses 7 days whose success rate on decreases to 64%, and 44% for 6 days, and 27% for 5 days trekking routes.
Take a hike
The best exercise to prepare for Kilimanjaro is hiking because this is what you will be doing on the mountain. Adding a backpack with some weight in it while on your outdoor hiking will help you a lot train as much as possible. On Kilimanjaro, you will be hiking 4-6 hours a day and on summit day, 12-14 hours, so you want to condition yourself to handle this level of activity. Endurance is key, so train for the duration rather than intensity.
Hydrate your body
At high levels of altitude, you dehydrate much quicker. Dehydration can increase your chances of headaches, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), overall fatigue, and even grouchiness, so drink plenty of water
Take a slow pace
Always “pole” “ pole”. You will hear this phrase over and over meaning “ take a slow pace” Acclimatizing to the low levels of oxygen in the mountains takes time, and it is essential to be gentle with your body so it can get used to the lack of oxygen. Don’t race to the next campsite – it is not helpful at all to be first. Take your time and enjoy the scenery.
Proper gear
While climbing Kilimanjaro, it is of the utmost importance to make sure you have the right gear. One of the essential items for your climb is a pair of waterproof boots that have been broken in on your long training hikes with the same style of socks you plan on wearing. Blisters are the enemy, as are cold feet, so an extra pair of warm socks and liners is key. Hand and neck protection is also necessary. Freezing fingers, toes and a cold neck are no fun so make sure you bring extra warm gear to keep from getting cold. You can also, make sure you have sun protection, including a sun hat, and sunscreen. It is easier to get sunburned in high elevations, and sunburn will increase discomfort levels and your propensity towards dehydration. There are lots of other items that you will want to bring along on your trek to the summit.