Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Discussion
One of my work mates has done it - apparently they may offer you an extra day on the mountain to get used to the altitude, if they do take it as loads of people make themselves very sick by doing it to quickly.
I've only looked at it from over the border in Kenya while we were looking for cheetah's.
I've only looked at it from over the border in Kenya while we were looking for cheetah's.
Not Kilamanjaro, but I have done Kinabalu in Borneo (14000ft) and trained for Aconcagua in Chile (23000ft) - ripped a calf muscle 4 weeks before the expedition so had to pull out.
Whilst all of these are characterised as treks rather than climbs, it is amazing the effect that altitude can have on even the fittest person. If you get the opportunity of any extra days for acclimatisation then take them, they are invaluable.
Make sure you are aerobically as fit as possible, lots of power walking, stair climbing, hill climbing as possible beforehand.
Despite being in Africa, it will be cold, especially whenever you stop. You also dehydrate very easily at altitude, and this makes altitude sickness even worse, so dring plenty.
If you want more advice then email me offline and I'll see what I can do.
Whilst all of these are characterised as treks rather than climbs, it is amazing the effect that altitude can have on even the fittest person. If you get the opportunity of any extra days for acclimatisation then take them, they are invaluable.
Make sure you are aerobically as fit as possible, lots of power walking, stair climbing, hill climbing as possible beforehand.
Despite being in Africa, it will be cold, especially whenever you stop. You also dehydrate very easily at altitude, and this makes altitude sickness even worse, so dring plenty.
If you want more advice then email me offline and I'll see what I can do.
No, but I've always wanted to.. Can you let me know how it goes? Costs and so on..
Oh, can't agree enough about the effects of altitude. Its a once in a lifetime thing this, so don't spoil it; take as long as you can to get used to the height else you'll either not get there, or will get there and feel crap..
Oh, can't agree enough about the effects of altitude. Its a once in a lifetime thing this, so don't spoil it; take as long as you can to get used to the height else you'll either not get there, or will get there and feel crap..
Psychobert said: No, but I've always wanted to.. Can you let me know how it goes? Costs and so on..
Cost of the whole trip is about £1600 inc flights (all booked through Exodus Travel - www.exodus.co.uk). We're taking the Shira route, and will take 6 days to go up, and two to come down, which hopefully should give us enough time to aclimatise.
I've had to buy a fair bit of kit as well (-20C rated sleeping bag, jackets etc...), and I'm trying to get down the gym 3/4 times a week to get as fit as I can.
My main worry is not being fit enough, and coping with the altitude sickness, although the 2000 foot high vertical cliff that we have to hike up is slightly worrying too!
Thanks for the advice so far!
Travel bag adventures also does this trip. Fish's brother did it last year. They spent months getting fit, his brother made it to the top, but his girlfriend got really bad altitude sickness and couldn't manage the summit. Unfortunately it does not matter how fit you get. Altitude sickness can strike anyone down, no matter how fit.
Saying that I hope you have a fantastic time and manage to reach the summit.
Edited to add travel bag is cheaper than exodus
www.travelbag-adventures.co.uk/
>> Edited by Mrs Fish on Thursday 9th January 13:16
Saying that I hope you have a fantastic time and manage to reach the summit.
Edited to add travel bag is cheaper than exodus
www.travelbag-adventures.co.uk/
>> Edited by Mrs Fish on Thursday 9th January 13:16
That sounds like a wicked trip. I have only climbed two mountains, Ben Nevis (big hill really) and part of the Alps (cant remember what peak tho). I cheated on the Alps part, me and my mates were DH Mountain Biking so we were using the ski lifts and riding back down LOL! Great fun though.
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