BootsnAll Travel Community

What a bummer.
Climbing the Breach was one of THE most awesome things I have ever done in my life. Add to that the opportunity to camp on the crater and those two days became the defining moments of out trip. I felt more connected to life after the Breach climb than on summit day.
The people that made the decision to close the route are the same folks that put "do not drink" warning labels on cans of gasolene.
I hope the family members of the three climbers that died in the January 06 rock fall find peace in the decision because they deserve it.
The rest of the people in the world who will never get the chance to climb it can only wonder.

For some reason I was under the impression that it was only a temporary closure and that they may re-open the route in the fall.

I'm reacting to the article on the www.mtkilimanjaro.org blog posted 4/19. It's sounds like there are no plans to
re-open the Breach.
To open the route now, some official has to judge it "safe" and I don't see that happening. Not in this day and age.
I would like to be wrong about this because it is such an outstanding experience.

You are right, Ed. It's closed for now, might not re-open for quite some time or ever. I wish they could develop another way up the mountain.

quote:

To open the route now, some official has to judge it "safe" and I don't see that happening. Not in this day and age.

a) Since 1st December 2007 the Western Breach is of course open again, however climbers are advised to visit the following site which contains qualified warnings as to the current risks.

quote:

I wish they could develop another way up the mountain.

b) "They" have already developed another route up the mountain, originally for research, but subsequently presented to TANAPA as a safer commercial alternative to the Western Breach. The route awaits resolution of the following issues:

1. Provision of water.
2. Improvements are required to the steep rocky section of road west of Kamwanga which will be used to approach the start point.
3. Completion of the Kamwanga Forest Station - likely to be the park entry point (as per the GPS track overlay on the original reconnaissance, as opposed to Mlima Nyuki).

The route is a near-perfect traverse of Kilimanjaro and would descend via Marangu.

Sincerely,

TK.