Thinking about Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro? The Kili bug has bitten you and here you’re researching about Kilimanjaro Climb whenever you’ve time. We know exactly how you feel. It’s the yearning for the Roof of Africa. An insatiable hunger for conquering the Uhuru Peak. You’re craving for the raw adventure of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Climbing one of the world’s tallest mountains most popularly referred to as “Every Man’s Everest” is not a decision to be taken lightly. You need to show great endurance, a decent amount of fitness and not to mention, and a good sense of humor.
HIGH ALTITUDE OF MOUNT KILIMANJARO
Altitude Sickness
When the body is unable to cope with the low oxygen levels experienced at a certain altitude is called Altitude sickness. The common symptoms are headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. Altitude Sickness can be fatal if aggravated.
However, there is 3 golden rule to avoid Kilimanjaro Altitude Sickness.
- Rule 1: If you’re feeling unwell, you have AMS until proven otherwise.
- Rule 2: Stop ascending if experiencing symptoms of altitude sickness.
- Rule 3: If getting worse, descend immediately.
At Jerry Tanzania Tours, our team regularly conducts health checks such as pulse rates, oxygen saturation readings, and a survey of symptoms. We conduct these tests twice a day to monitor your health. If our Kilimanjaro Guide determines that it’s too risky to continue, you’ll be escorted down the mountain for your safety.
Acclimatization
Acclimatization is the body’s way of coping with the change in oxygen levels at altitude. The main method of acclimatization is to ascend to altitude slowly and to ‘climb high, sleep low’. There are several routes that you can take up Kilimanjaro that are following this pattern. Your Kilimanjaro Porters will advise you to ascend the mountain ‘pole, pole’ (‘slowly, slowly).
- Choosing the best Kilimanjaro Routes is vital as this will give you additional time for acclimatization.
- Consume sufficient fluids (4 liters a day).
- Avoid any consumption of alcohol, caffeine, stimulants, or smoking while Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
- Diamox (Acetazolamide) can be a useful drug for altitude sickness and for help with acclimatization.
MAINTAIN A SLOW PACE DURING KILIMANJARO CLIMB
“Just Pole Pole Up Till The Summit Of Mount Kilimanjaro”
The idea behind going slow is that your body is working harder at altitude. The air is thinner and less oxygen to breathe in. Even the porters will tell you “pole, pole” which means “slowly, slowly”. Always, keep, reminding yourself “Slow and steady wins the race”. Walk slower than you normally would, and trust me, your body will thank you. Just to make sure you couldn’t go any slower, wait until everyone had gone on ahead then join the line right at the back.
At Jerry Tanzania Tours, we also carry bottled oxygen and a portable stretcher on every climb and can coordinate an evacuation on foot or by helicopter in case of a medical emergency.
WORK ON YOUR FITNESS LEVEL
Physical Fitness
Make no mistakes, Climbing Kilimanjaro is a physically demanding task. You will need to prepare thoroughly in order to succeed. Hence, it is important to start training as early as possible before your scheduled Kilimanjaro Climb. Also, you’d want to be willing to try a precise set of Kilimanjaro training for success regardless of your level of fitness.
- You should start with low-intensity exercise for longer time frames.
- You should start walking up and down hills with a weighted backpack to build endurance.
- Go on training hikes.
Mental Fitness
As you know, your mind needs to help keep your body strong. During the hike, you need to constantly remind yourself and your travel companions why you are there and how to laugh on the most difficult days. No matter how difficult it may seem you need to always focus on the task ahead and remain positive. Try to incorporate some of these notions during your training.
Eat Sleep & Repeat
Simple, when you hike, you burn calories. You need to refuel with food. But which foods are the best?
First, let’s be clear. You burn carbohydrates, fats, and proteins when you exercise. In truth, our body metabolizes energy out of carbohydrates faster than it can from fat or protein. Therefore, the most efficient way is to follow a high-carb diet while Climbing Kilimanjaro. Not surprisingly, this is exactly what Jerry Tanzania Tours, feeds our clients on the mountain.
Always make sure that you are eating enough food for the duration of your climb. Higher altitudes can cause bloating and decrease your appetite. But you must keep consuming calories, and don’t ever skip meals.
In addition to that, hydration will prevent possible altitude sickness. My advice is to pack a Camel Pak or Platypus instead of a bottle so that water is constantly accessible as you walk. Trust me, you won’t want to take off your gloves in that cold just to unscrew a bottle top. Also, It is essential to take electrolytes. I mix one sachet straight into my Camel Pak every day just to make sure I was uber-hydrated.
REACHING THE SUMMIT WILL BE THE BEST EXPERIENCE
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the most amazing experiences you’ll ever have. When you see that summit every aching muscle will become a distant memory. And you will start to celebrate with those that you’ve become close to. Agreed, the mountain can be intimidating. But it will give you long-lasting memories and the knowledge that you can achieve whatever you set your mind to.
Believe in yourself – you can do it! You can achieve your goals with a little help from us. Contact Jerry Tanzania Tours today.