Anyone climbed Mt Kilimanjaro?
Discussion
Hi guys
I'm looking to head out and work in Malawi next year, for about three months, and thought I might take some time off and climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania whilst I'm out that way. Anyone done it and have any advice?
I understand it usually takes between 5-7 days, does this include the descent?
Do I have to go through a tour company or can I do it independently? I understand that I will have to pay park entry fees etc but can I book accomodation in the huts on the way up/down without going through these companies? They seem to charge about US$1300 which seems quite alot of money to me!
I will be looking to do it in mid-late March which is the start of the wet season - would this be a problem?
What sort of equipment do I need to take with me?
Any help/advice welcomed.
I'm looking to head out and work in Malawi next year, for about three months, and thought I might take some time off and climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania whilst I'm out that way. Anyone done it and have any advice?
I understand it usually takes between 5-7 days, does this include the descent?
Do I have to go through a tour company or can I do it independently? I understand that I will have to pay park entry fees etc but can I book accomodation in the huts on the way up/down without going through these companies? They seem to charge about US$1300 which seems quite alot of money to me!
I will be looking to do it in mid-late March which is the start of the wet season - would this be a problem?
What sort of equipment do I need to take with me?
Any help/advice welcomed.
There are six routes that you have to stick to. I think that the only route which uses huts all the way is the Marangu route (Coca Cola). This is a five day trip (up and down) where your descent is the same as the climb.
I think you do have to hire a guide, so I would recommend going with a proper outfit. How else are you going to carry food and cooking equipment? Plus $1300 is not too bad. I have the e-mail of my guide if you want a more personal service.
In March you can expect the long rains (masika), this will be wet at the bottom and could turn to snow higher up (very pretty).
Its not technical so you can just stroll up, but its bloody cold on summit day so warm gear is essential. A cup of hot tea goes cold in a minute or two!
I think you do have to hire a guide, so I would recommend going with a proper outfit. How else are you going to carry food and cooking equipment? Plus $1300 is not too bad. I have the e-mail of my guide if you want a more personal service.
In March you can expect the long rains (masika), this will be wet at the bottom and could turn to snow higher up (very pretty).
Its not technical so you can just stroll up, but its bloody cold on summit day so warm gear is essential. A cup of hot tea goes cold in a minute or two!
elster said:
That is about it. recommend going with a guide if you can.
It thank you have to go with a guide. I don't think you can just rock up and walk up it on your tod.I went up about eight years ago. It took about 5 days from Mombassa. I just remember walking along and seeing a rock about 10 feet ahead of me and then it seemed like ages before I saw it passing me. I also remember signing some kind of knackered old book on one of the summits.
I don't think you need much kit. I was planning on hiring a car and driving to the base and launching off up to the top but in the end I had to get a guide and arrange it all from Mombassa the day before.
It was great though.
Edited by el stovey on Monday 10th November 22:15
When I did it in '97 you had to have a guide. I think this is still the case.
We ascended in 3 1/2 days. Took about another 1 1/2 to get back down to Arusha.
In some ways it is often dismissed as just a big plod, and technically I wouldn't say it is any harder than Snowdon. The altitude can be a bugger, though and makes it many times more tricky.
I have been as high in the Himalayas, but wheras there it felt you were at the bottom of everything there is something phenomenal about standing on top of a continent. It makes Kili very special.
We ascended in 3 1/2 days. Took about another 1 1/2 to get back down to Arusha.
In some ways it is often dismissed as just a big plod, and technically I wouldn't say it is any harder than Snowdon. The altitude can be a bugger, though and makes it many times more tricky.
I have been as high in the Himalayas, but wheras there it felt you were at the bottom of everything there is something phenomenal about standing on top of a continent. It makes Kili very special.
I did it in January of this year, supposedly a good time to climb. As people say it is a long walk rather than a climb but the altitude took its toll on me and all the others in my group. All seven of us made it to the summit (Uhuru Peak) although I felt pretty rough to say the least! The weather was also pretty tough. The pic below (sorry I can't get the pic the right way up) shows the weather we endured for the summit day (set off at ~midnight and walk through the night to reach Gilmans Point and then if you feel up to it walk to the highest point, Uhuru Peak (5895m) circa 14 hours walking that day if I recall correctly)).
I chose to climb following the Rongai route which was excellent. This route involved camping which IMO is more interesting (and adventurous) than sleeping in huts on the more popular routes. You have to climb with a guide and to be honest I was glad that I was in a supervised group and had someone cooking for me etc as I only had to worry about the walking and none of the other stuff!
It was definitely one of the best things I have ever done and would highly recommend it. The views (when it is not blowing a blizzard) are amazing. There are plenty of websites giving useful information about routes/kit/etc etc.
The view from my hotel balcony the day after reaching the summit- a few beers were drunk that evening!
I chose to climb following the Rongai route which was excellent. This route involved camping which IMO is more interesting (and adventurous) than sleeping in huts on the more popular routes. You have to climb with a guide and to be honest I was glad that I was in a supervised group and had someone cooking for me etc as I only had to worry about the walking and none of the other stuff!
It was definitely one of the best things I have ever done and would highly recommend it. The views (when it is not blowing a blizzard) are amazing. There are plenty of websites giving useful information about routes/kit/etc etc.
The view from my hotel balcony the day after reaching the summit- a few beers were drunk that evening!
mrhungwell said:
my brother in law lives at the bottom of it he's a game hunter . Awsome place by the way
North or South? I've been to Amboseli to the North and Arusha in the South before, just didnt have the time to climb it last time I was out there - want to make sure I don't miss out again.I did this in Feb 2003, and I still rate it as one of the most amazing things I've done. It was mostly pretty easy - most of it is just hiking, but it's the altitude that makes it hard and the final summit day is a killer - probably the hardest thing I've ever done.
I did my trip with Exodus, and I think you do need to hire a guide, however it is possible to arrange this when you are out there.
You'll need comfortable hiking boots, layers of clothing to keep you cool/warm from the tropical conditions at the base, to -20 degrees at the summit, and a decent sleeping bag. A set of walking poles are handy too - especially for the trek down.
The trip I did was 6 days up and 2 down, and went via the Shira route, which is much more interesting than the more popular tourist routes with the huts. Apparently the success rate is higher on the trips that take an extra day or so - everyone in our group got to the top, so it seemed to work for us!
I did my trip with Exodus, and I think you do need to hire a guide, however it is possible to arrange this when you are out there.
You'll need comfortable hiking boots, layers of clothing to keep you cool/warm from the tropical conditions at the base, to -20 degrees at the summit, and a decent sleeping bag. A set of walking poles are handy too - especially for the trek down.
The trip I did was 6 days up and 2 down, and went via the Shira route, which is much more interesting than the more popular tourist routes with the huts. Apparently the success rate is higher on the trips that take an extra day or so - everyone in our group got to the top, so it seemed to work for us!
Just spotted this thread and its awoken my to do before 30 list.
Have looked at this before and would love to get there next year work permitting. www.catreks.co.uk has some good info and though not cheap seem like a great company.
its probably best to speak to 3 or 4 of the british based operators to find out about guides etc. If you have a lot of experience you may be able to join in as a volunteer guide with some companies treks.
Have looked at this before and would love to get there next year work permitting. www.catreks.co.uk has some good info and though not cheap seem like a great company.
its probably best to speak to 3 or 4 of the british based operators to find out about guides etc. If you have a lot of experience you may be able to join in as a volunteer guide with some companies treks.
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