Climbing Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro one of the seven highest peaks in the world is the roof of Africa. Its highest point, Uhuru Peak, is 5895 m above sea level. Kilimanjaro is located in the northeast of Tanzania, on the border with Kenya.

Climbing Kilimanjaro can be done all year round. Nevertheless, some periods are favorable and others are less so. The country enjoys an equatorial climate with a very pleasant temperature throughout the year. There are two periods of rain in Tanzania, March to June and October to December. In general, you will be advised to avoid climbing Kilimanjaro during these rainy periods. However, be aware that it depends on the time you will have. With climate change, it is possible to fall on a week without rain during the rainy season or, conversely, fall on a week of rain during the “best periods”.

This is a very often asked question. You can find a lot of information to answer this question on the internet. Climbing Kilimanjaro does not require any special mountaineering experience. Indeed, the little snow that remains on the summit does not require the use of professional technical equipment. Climbing Kilimanjaro can be done by anyone with a minimum of physical conditions. Climbing Kilimanjaro is simply a 4-9 day trek at high altitude. There is therefore no real technical difficulty to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. Statistics suggest an average success rate of 50%. This rate fluctuates, depending on the route chosen to reach the summit.

Climbing Kilimanjaro does not require any special mountaineering knowledge. However, can we really consider tackling the highest peak in Africa, which is almost 6,000 m, without any training? Honestly I don't think that sounds very serious.
However, do you necessarily have to follow drastic training to maximize your chances of reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro? The ascent of Kilimanjaro does not require technical expertise, it is still a hike over several days at a high altitude. This summit is accessible to everyone, however, it is still necessary to have a minimum of physical conditions. A sporty person should arrive without any worries at the top of Kilimanjaro. A very athletic person should not need more training than their usual training. To give you an idea, running training several times a week should be enough for an athletic person. Know that there is a very important parameter to take into account when you embark on the ascent of Kilimanjaro. This parameter is the altitude. Whether or not you are athletic, resistance to altitude is unique to each person. There is no other way to see its effect on your body than to confront yourself directly with an altitude test.

In order to maximize your chances of reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro, it is important to have a minimum of physical conditions. Indeed, the ascent takes place over several days, it is necessary to be able to resist the effort for several days.
It is therefore necessary to train over time, long distances and repeated efforts. A sportsman will have no problem resisting these efforts. On the other hand, a person who does not practice any sporting activity will necessarily have to get started because it takes a minimum of physical training to be able to reach the summit.

Statistics show that only 50% of people attempting to climb Kilimanjaro reach its summit. Obviously, when you embark on such an adventure, you really want to reach the top. To do this, it is necessary to prepare as well as possible for the ascent. After having lived this extraordinary experience, I advise you: To have regular physical activity a few months before leaving for Kilimanjaro: for example, running, or any other sporting activity. You need a regular activity that will allow you to resist the effort over time. Train in conditions similar to trekking: namely going on treks in the mountains to acclimatize your body to the altitude. Of course, you will not find in France hikes at an altitude of around 4,000 or 5,000 m that are easy to access. But all the same, a few outings in the mountains before your departure will do your body a lot of good.

Depending on the options you chose when booking the trek, there are some specifics to keep in mind when preparing for this trek:

Hygiene: there is no shower so you will have to make do with small basins of hot water to wash your face in particular. A little advice, you can bring intimate wipes, this can be very useful for getting a bit of a wash.
 

Meals: it all depends on the options chosen, but you will be entitled to a cook who will concoct good meals for you. You will be entitled to “European” dishes for lunch and dinner (soup, salad, meat, rice, pasta, fries, etc.). Also, tea and popcorn will be distributed throughout the trek.

The cold: the first days, during the day, the temperatures are pleasant. Personally, I spent a large part of the trek with only a breathable long-sleeved t-shirt. At sunset, the temperatures drop significantly and you have to cover yourself with small down jackets. The night can be very cold. In particular, I used my water bottles as a hot water bottle to warm myself in the duvet. The final ascent is the most complicated period to pass. We have to get up at 11 p.m., when everything is frozen around us, then we start the ascent. At the start, I did not put on my biggest down jacket since the physical effort allowed me to warm up. However, the slightest 5-minute break chilled me deeply. The moment came when I had to put on my big down jacket with several layers at the top and bottom. Arriving at the top, it is so cold that clothes, bags, hats freeze. It can be between -10 and -20 degrees at the top. Get ready for this temperature!!

Fatigue: the days can be long and tiring during the trek. Know that as a general rule you will walk between 4 and 6 hours a day. This will give you time to rest once you arrive at the camp because indeed the walk takes place in the morning with an arrival in the early / mid-afternoon at the next camp. The important thing is to keep your strength for the final ascent where you will walk 7 hours only to reach the summit. I recommend that you carefully follow the advice of the guides, not to walk too fast, even if you feel fit. You will often be told to go "pole, pole", which means "gently, gently".

The motivation: "when you want, you can", this well-known proverb sums up the ascent of Kilimanjaro. Finally, indeed other factors that may be beyond our control come to skew this proverb, namely altitude sickness. However, your motivation and your determination will carry you on Kilimanjaro, especially at the time of the final ascent, when you will be tired with more difficult breathing during the slightest effort. Motivation and determination is the key to success.

Altitude sickness: the altitude is probably the parameter not to be underestimated and the most dangerous when you launch an assault on the roof of Africa. Indeed, each human being has his own reaction to altitude, regardless of whether you are a great athlete or not. It is therefore necessary to pay close attention to the slightest symptoms that one can develop throughout the ascent. Altitude sickness is a very present reality on Kilimanjaro. Poor acclimatization can cause serious headaches, nausea, vomiting etc. It is very important to take this seriously and talk to your guide about it as soon as possible when you feel less well. Physical training allows you to have fewer unpleasant symptoms during the ascent, but the best way to combat mountain sickness is to have a slow progression and drink plenty of water. Drinking water is extremely important, remember that. "Walking high and sleeping low" is a well-known phrase in the mountain world. This is a rule that must be followed. The more time you spend acclimatizing, the higher your chances of success will be.