BootsnAll Travel Community

Hello!

I'm looking for some personal experiences or thoughts about climbing Kilimanjaro. Why? Well next year (Dec 2007) I'll be doing a charity climb along with hopefully 10-20 other people.

At the moment we're in the planning stages and looking for other interested climbers in Southern Alberta, across Canada or wherever. This is a HUGE undertaking!

I'm looking for some insights as I prepare, and try to motivate people interested in taking this adventure with me to raise some money and awareness for 2 very worthwhile charities.

I've started a blog to keep everyone informed on the progress and will document our training (beginning Jan/07), small local fundraisers etc.

If you have an experience to share, I would love to hear about it. If I can quote something you've said on one of the flyers looking for fellow climbers, please let me know

Thanks for you're insights!

You can always search the blogs and get tons of personal accounts and insights. Plus looking around on the MtKilimajaroLogue might help, though I think you've probably already looked there it may help hook you onto other people who can led you their experiences.

Oh I've been trolling around. But I do some more. I wasn't sure if there were others who didn't have a blog etc. Thanks for the suggestions though!

Canuck Girl,

Please read the account of my climb in 04 on
www.mtkilimanjarologue.com called "Nothing but Sky".
It will answer many questions.
Take extra days if you can...
5 days up = 50% chance it make it.
8 days up = 80%
You get the picture...and drink LOTS of Maji...water.

The very best of luck...

Hi

I hope that you have checked out my trip report on http://gardkarlsen.com/kilimanjaro_index.htm . I went to Kili in 2003 and I have written about my preperations, the gear I used, a day by day diary from the Machame hike, posted pictures etc. I hope that you can find some useful info there...get in touch if you have any questions

Hi Canuck girl
I'm sure you will have no problem recruiting fellow climbers!- Have just returned from successful summit - group of 12 all made it to Uhuru by shira route over 7nights/8 days. It's a fantastic experience - "once in a lifetime" not really accurate as it gives you an appetite for more! - just don't know where next yet.

A few thoughts/observations -

1) Acclimatisation days seemed to make all the difference - I was feeling pretty crap on days 1-2 (headache, nausea, breathlessness, poor sleep etc) but with the acclim walks it all settled. -I don't think I or many of our group would have made it if going for summit on 3rd/4th night instead of 6th.

2) The Mess tent was essential - most companies have these as they double up as the porters' tents

3) A group of 10-20 people is quite large - for 12 of us we had staff numbers (guides porters etc) totalling 42!!!! That said - it didn't feel like we were being herded around and it was good craic with a group this size.

4) Shira route got v busy on day 5 when we reached karranga camp (where several trails join) - campsite quite crowded with some litter.

Barafu campsite v crowded with a considerable amount of litter - in the afternoon before the summit climb, I was awoken from a nap in our tent by an opportunistic mouse scurrying over my face - was quite a cute little mouse - brown with white stripes but nonetheless an uninvited guest - saw several more sifting through the litter - need to ensure tent is zipped properly!!


5) Long Drop toilets require good aim - the hole is generally quite small and evidently some folk find it impossible to hit the bullseye! Those that miss tend not to "tidy up" leaving the next user an unpleasant surprise - I'll put it down to lack of oxygen!

Alcohol gel for antibacterial use useful in case you lose balance in the long drop toilet + grab the wall etc to steady yourself (thigh muscles should be well toned prior to attempting long drop visit)

On that note - it may be worth considering travelling with a company which uses its own "outhouse" facilities - ours didn't (African Walking Company) but several did including Tusker.

6) Gaiters would have been useful (something I wish I'd taken)

7) A Down jacket was one of the most useful pieces of kit I brought - not just for summit night - it got pretty cold as soon as sun went down even from day 1 (3500m) so it came in handy for sitting around camp.

8) Bring a nail brush (seriously) - We didn't and it's a nightmare trying to properly wash your hands before eating etc Mind you 2 mins after washing you generally end up just as dirty. Wet wipes useful for cleaning in between warm water washes.

9) Some flavouring or electrolyte mix is useful to put in camelbak/platypus. gatorade or isostar or lucozade hydrosport powder aids hydration with faster water absorption - tastes nice too.

10) Scenery is absolutely fantastic!!!!!!!!!
keep spare camera battery warm on summit night

some photos of the shira route if you're interested -
http://picasaweb.google.com/wilwalster/SelectionKili


Hope have been of some help
Enjoy!!!

Wilwal, thanks for putting your photos on - me and my boyfriend are going to attempt the climb via Rongai route in early December. It's great to see the trip was successful and all smiles - we can't wait!!!

I just updated a big blog post from my recent climb a week ago. I didn't make it to the top as I did get rather sick - but it was still a great time - despite the vomiting at camp! Others in my group made it and we all had a wonderful time...even though we weren't expert campers - we sufferred through the camping piece as it was all worth it!
Read my update: Kilimanjaro Post and Pictures

Blogged all about it...summitted 1/1/06

- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
- Day 5 and 6 - Summit attempt

- Gear List

Best wishes with this!

THANKS!!

It's one thing when you're planning a trip for just yourself, but it's completely different when you're planning for 15 people.

Any info and advice is more than welcome!

Thanks again!

Hey...wanted to respond to you as well...Just returned from the most amazing trip of my entire life....We experienced an outstanding safari in Tanzania, and successfully ascended to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Although HIGHLY physically demanding, and mentally challenging, I would recommend this trip to ANYONE who is willing to put in the time and effort to complete this challenge! We ascended via the Lemosho route, which I would also highly recommend, being that it is somewhat of a "road less traveled", and from what our guide spoke of, one of the more scenic routes. In addition, with this route, I understand that you start a little lower than other routes (as far as altitude), and walk a little further, but, because of this slower ascent, the risk of developing AMS is slightly reduced. Out of our group of 6 people, 4 of us, however, did develop symptoms around 15,000 feet. Honestly, I've NEVER felt more miserable in my entire life. But, I also would say that I would repeat this experience anyday, anytime! It was the most amazing experience of my life! If you have any additional questions about specifics, or my experience, just let me know! I'd be more than happy to answer them!