BootsnAll Travel Community

planning on climbing kilimanjaro with my family of three (includes myself) in late june of 08. anyone interested?? we would love some company and any advice for climbing with a 16 yr old...
kimh

You might want to put this in the traveling with children section as well. Friends of ours that we "met" here on Bootsnall ( and later in person during our RTW trips) had a fantastic experience climbing there, although their children are young and did not climb.

They are home now and I do not think she has caught up to that on her blog, but you might be able to get a family perspective from them. Try PM maybe? She goes under "kidsnall" and "career break central" is her bootsnall blog.

My 16 year old daughter and I leave on June 25th...this is her personal goal and dream trek. We have already selected a guide service and have our flights arranged.
Mike from MI

hi mike from MI, we are scheduled to leave on the 19th of june from san francisco. hope all goes great for you and daughter. i am really hoping we can gather a few more for our trek up the mtn. i think it would be great to have some other young ones along but i can't seem to persuade any. what rte are you guys taking if you don't mind me asking? we are going lemosho unles we change our mind for another. nature discovery is our outfitter. thanks for the reply and keep in touch if you like. kimh

thank you wt, i did not know there WAS a travel with children section. i checked it out and ended up spending waaaay to much time on the site, it was great reading. most applies to traveling wiyh younger children but you can always get or give a good tip. thanks again, kimh

hi mike from mi, what route are you and your daughter taking up the mtn, if you don't mind my asking? we are planning on the lemosho rte. my daughter is very excited....i think. kh

We are headed up the Lemosho / Barafu / Crater route with Thomson. I wanted to give us the best possible chance for success as well as the best safety net.

Unfortunately, my daughter tore her ACL in her left knee last week...surgery is set for Feb. 28. When she was 13 she tore the ACL in her right knee and had it surgically repaired. The Doctor said she has the motivation to rehab diligently and should be at 100% by June 25th although she will have to wear a smaller knee brace (previous trekking pole experience comments would be greatly appreciated relating to this subject). In our case, she is the driving factor in making this trek. It is her dream. I am really excited about the opportunity to experience this journey with her before I get too old (I will be 46)!

Another interesting tidbit is that both of us are allergic to Sulfa based medicines...NO Diamox. We are waiting for the Interhealth Dept. Doctor at our hospital to make his suggestion as to AMS medication (ibuprofen and gingko vs. another medication which I can't recall the name). Anyone with previous experience related to this area I would appreciate your feedback (I may post on other thread as well).

Keep in touch. Mike

hi mike, thanks for the reply. looks like we'll be heading up the mtn on the same rte, just days before you, our "hike" begins on the 22nd. i too am allergig to sulfa drugs so no diamox. havenot decided if i want my daughter using it or not, we may be going all naturel! i did find a good link when i googled "vitamins at high altitude". it's a site for the denver naturopathic. some interesting reading if you practice a more natural medicine lifestyle. i'll take any bit of info to help me get up and down again! kh hope the knee does well

hi mike, "it's" getting closer! hope your daughters knee is doing ok. my daughter just started her soccer season and i am keeping my fingers crossed that there will be no injuries. did you find an alternative to diamox? i am searching for trip insurance, any sugesstions?kh

yes my daughter's ACL surgery was a success (yes both of her ACL tears occurred while playing soccer). She is working on range of motion and has started going to PT. She will have to work very hard to get ready by June 25th....but she is motivated and I hope there are no set backs.

Suggested alternative for diamox from our hospital 'inter-health' department is Ibuprofin 400 - 600 every 6 - 8 hours and Gingko Biloba 80 - 120 every 12 hours.

We got our Travel Insurance thru Trael Guard...877-248-8992...they were helpful and knowledgable.

Keep me up to date. We are still in need of a few items for the trek and will have to hop back on things when my daughter gets off crutches etc.

On a kind of personal note, should I invest in a female urination system type deal for her? I know I will have no trouble using a nalgene bottle in the middle of the night...and at my age probably several times in the night!