Trip Report - Mt. Kilimanjaro

Canucked · Addict Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 873 City: Edmonton

Kilimanjaro is often referred to as the highest freestanding mountain in the world. It’s peak is also the highest point in Africa. The peak of Kilimanjaro sits at 5,895m (19,341ft) above sea level.

On January 5rd 2012 my wife and two friends and I arrived in Moshi, Tanzania, which sits at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The route we took is referred to as the Rongai route and the total distance hiked round trip was just over 80km taking 6 days, taking us through 4 climate zones.

The four of us were supported by 12 Africans: two professional guides, a cook, and nine porters who carried our food, tents, equipment and everything else we needed for the climb.

At the peak of Kilimanjaro the air pressure is roughly half of what it is at sea level. This made it very difficult to catch your breath and resulted in headaches, exhaustion and vomiting. The temperature on the first day of the climb was +30. The temperature on the final night was around -10 with severe wind.

On the final night of the ascent we climbed through the night continuously for 10 hours after sleeping for about 3 hours.

My friend and I successfully summited Uhuru Peak (5,895m) while my wife and his wife, suffering from altitude sickness and bitter cold made it to Gilman’s Point (5,681m2).

The climb was the most physically and mentally difficult thing I have done in my life, but very rewarding.

We also went to some other crazy places on the trip...i'm thinking i'll do another TR when I get motivated.

Our camera froze so our peak pics are a bit limited, (they don't do the views justice anyways)

Canucked · Addict Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 873 City: Edmonton

couple more

ChrisG · Posted: Mar 20, 2012 8:47 am Post subject:

That is AWESOME!

GnarShredd · Posted: Mar 20, 2012 8:56 am Post subject:

Canucked, That's a hell of an accomplishment; way to be out there living instead of sitting around. Congrats on making it!

Canucked · Addict Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 873 City: Edmonton

Thanks guys!

worth noting is that non of us are climbers, I think anybody in reasonable shape could attempt it.

The first summit point has about a 80% success rate, the true summit is around 40%.

We basically threw a dart at a map to decide where to go

Chattwake · Posted: Mar 20, 2012 10:14 am Post subject:

Ok. How much did this cost?

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

E.J. · Ladies Man Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 7597 City: Mogadishu

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

Very cool!

Canucked · Addict Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 873 City: Edmonton

Cost...the climb cost was about $1,600 per person plus tips. plus flights.

We stayed in tents and had very modest trip options (some people have private crappers carried up, and fancy food whereas we had trees/rocks and outhouses as our facilities. We wanted a more authentic experience and we really felt like we went up as a team rather than with servants.

The porters are very poor and make about $8 a day for carrying about 50lbs of gear on their head, so we gave a significant amount of tip money (to the point where some were in almost in tears). We are also donating to an association that makes sure they are treated fairly. Some estimates say that around a dozen or so people, mostly ill equipped porters die every year attempting the climb. We def. saw some people along the way that were in big time trouble.

You feel like kind of a loser when you’re struggling to walk wearing $500 hiking boots and an 130lb African carrying your gear with flip-flops RUNS past you!
Laughing