Mt. Kilimanjaro Planning
Tons of information to help you plan your climb up Kilimanjaro. You can find everything from best hotels, routes, and other perspectives on the mountain.
Mt. Kilimanjaro - How dangerous is it, really?
OK, you’ve been warned…
“But when I say that our sport is a hazardous one, I do not mean that when we climb mountains there is a large chance that we shall be killed, but that we are surrounded by dangers which will kill us if we let them.” George Mallory
Mallory’s comments are in reference to the Himalayan “giants”, but the call for personal responsibility; making good decisions and managing your own situation can be taken to any adventure, including Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Recently, I’ve seen some questions on the BootsnAll, Kilimanjaro blog concerning the level of risk involved in climbing to the roof of Africa and how to handle the negativity from people (like parents) that have only heard about some of the tragedies on the mountain. This article is my attempt to put these issues into perspective and promote safe, successful adventures.
It is true that 8 or 9 trekkers per year die on the mountain from 30,000 attempts. A few of these make the headlines and unfortunately, that is what people remember. Heart attacks and Acute Mountain Sickness are the main reasons. But it is also true that if 60% (18,000) make it to the summit then a whopping 40% (12,000) trekkers, every year, have turned themselves around or been told to turn around and walk off the mountain with everything from knowing they did the very best they could, to crushing disappointment, or perhaps a steeled resolve to return and conquer. In addition, a small number of people have needed rescue.
In the following paragraphs, I will discuss all these different issues so that the first-timers can understand the choices and probabilities for success.
What can kill 8 to 9 people per year?
Date: August 7th, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 31
This is Arrow Glacier Camp and the Western Breach with our yellow Eureka Scorpion Tent sitting ready and waiting. The line up the Breach is directly above the orange tent although it did zigzag to the left out of the photograph occasionally.
We weren’t afraid exactly but were overcome with a thunderous anticipation of the, as yet, unknown challenges of the breach climb. I’d never seen any pictures of the scrambling sections or the type of exposure to falls we could be hiking through. All my trusted guide would say is, “If you go slowly, the mountain is …
Date: August 1st, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 29
Looking back at Lava Tower during our ascent to Arrow Glacier Camp the Shira Plateau can be seen off in the distance over 20 miles away and Lava Tower Camp is the light beige patch to the right of the tower.
Even with the absence of most plant life, the textures and colors of the geology were a constantly changing visual kaleidoscope.
Date: July 16th, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 27
Last week I spoke of the “frigid shade” at Lava Tower. It was that crisp morning we awoke to find our water bottles frozen as we dug into the deepest corners of our trusty packs to find the goose down jackets, warm hats and expedition mittens we’d dutifully carried over the last six days. When the sun finally reached us, however, we were back to fleece jackets with the zippers part way down.
Note: That’s Lava Tower reflected in my son’s glasses.
Date: July 2nd, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 26
Lava Tower Camp remains blanked in a frigid shade provided by the
immenseness of Kilimanjaro until late morning. Only then do the suns rays begin
to delicately paint the tips of the surrounding landscape with equatorial warmth
as a new day tantalizingly unfolds before your eyes.
Date: June 25th, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 32
This is a second image of Arrow Glacier Camp as cloud came in and hid the upper sections of the Western Breach. As I study the photo now I count 16 tents, 3 dinning tents, 4 black public outhouses and our own orange loo (just for my son and I). This represented three teams from Montreal (2), Wisconsin (2) and South Africa (6), a small community.
As it turned out, the only clients that made it to the top of the Breach the next day were the couple from Montreal and us. The South Africans had attempted to …
Date: August 6th, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 30
This picture was taken as I stood in oxygen starved amazement at an altitude of 16,000 feet. This is one of my favorite photographs because not only is it a spectacular image of our hard working porters cresting the last rock strewn ridge into Arrow Glacier with the Shira Plateau and Mt. Meru in the distance but it reminds me of the awesome feelings we encountered of accomplishment mixed with the trepidations of the Western Breach climb we would attempt the following morning.
Date: August 1st, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 28
The serpentine line etched in the topography describes the way to Arrow Glacier Camp from Lava Tower. It looks to be a simple 2 hour uphill jaunt but the 1000 foot gain in altitude places you at 16,000 feet and we found ourselves speaking in one word sentences because of the lack of oxygen in the rarified air.
Date: July 9th, 2007 |
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Nepal Trekking Himalayas - Come With Us!
For those of you interested in other trekking adventure trips outside of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, BootsnAll Travel Network is organizing a two week trekking adventure through the Himalayas. From Oct 7 to Oct 22, our adventure trek in Nepal will follow one of the most popular routes, on the Annapurna circuit, which is known for being one of the best spots for hiking and for culture. Discover more about our Nepal Adventure Trip.
We have four more spots remaining on this trip! Sign up now!
Date: June 26th, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 25
Nestled behind an exposed rib of stone that separates the tents from the loos at Lava Tower, you can see the black public outhouses that my research told me to avoid if at all possible.
I heeded the warnings and chose an outfitter (Tusker) that carried their own for clients. It must be said that I smiled every time I sat in our orange retreat looking out the window at the awesome scenery knowing we had chosen wisely.
Date: June 19th, 2007 |
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