Volcanoes are associated with ‘lava’, or ‘magma’. In other words, they may also spell danger. However, for travelers and adventurists, Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro sounds like an amazing thing to do. And if people are willing and interested, why must they stop? Of course, safety is the utmost priority when it comes to climbing any structure. And if it’s something that can spew hot, molten material from within the Earth, one must definitely be careful. Kilimanjaro Eruption is the one we need to look out for!
KILIMANJARO ERUPTION BASICS
Let’s start with the basics, Volcanoes. Volcanoes are openings on the crust (they are found on planets and moons too). Also, they may be present on the land, or beneath oceans on the ocean floor. Kilimanjaro Eruption lead to the release of hot gases, magma, and other material.
They’re classified into three types – active, dormant, and extinct.
As the names suggest, active volcanoes have a recent history of eruptions. On the other hand, dormant volcanoes have not erupted for a long time, but they have a possible chance of erupting in the future. Extinct volcanoes are thought to not erupt at all, at least that is what scientists expect.
MOUNT KILIMANJARO IS SLEEPING, BUT MIGHT ONE DAY WAKE UP AGAIN
Coming to our chosen volcano (a HOT topic indeed, pun intended), Mount Kilimanjaro. Mt. Kilimanjaro is in the beautiful country of Tanzania, in the African continent. Moreover, Kilimanjaro is made up of three cones – Mawenzi, Kibo and Shira. Out of these three, Mawenzi and Shira are extinct, while Kibo is dormant. As documented by National Geographic, scientists have estimated that the last time Kibo erupted was 360,000 years ago.
In the year 1889, Hans Mayer (a German geographer) and Ludwig Purtscheller (an Austrian mountaineer) decided on climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. They were also accompanied by Yohani Kinyala Lauwo (a local guide). Since then, it has become an attractive hiking destination for locals, tourists, and mountaineers.
And because there isn’t any requirement for mountaineering gear or prior experience of climbing, the mountain attracts tens of thousands of people every year. Now just because of the no need for mountaineering equipment doesn’t make Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro a piece of cake. Also, one has to be careful and avoid rushing to climb up to prevent altitude sickness. And because the oxygen level reduces as the altitude increases, one must climb at a relaxed pace to avoid fatigue.
KILIMANJARO ERUPTION HISTORY & FUTURE
The mountain has six surrounding forest corridors that have been under protection since 1973. They’re collectively known as Kilimanjaro National Park. In addition to that, UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site in 1987. A lot of flora and fauna contribute to the unique environment in the park and also make it pristine and scenic.
Scientists say that the chances of any Kilimanjaro Eruption in the future are very unlikely. So that makes the idea of a Kilimanjaro Climb very prospective, especially for tourists who want to explore one of the most beautiful treks, where they travel through five distinct ecological zones – bushland/cultivated zone, rainforest zone, heath/moorland zone, alpine desert zone, and the arctic zone.
IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT MOUNT KILIMANJARO
Highest Free-Standing Mountain In The World –
Mount Kilimanjaro stands high at a height of 5,895 meters (or 19,340 feet).
Best Time To Visit Mount Kilimanjaro –
July to October presents the best view from the mountain. Any other time of the year, except March to May (wet period) is great too.
Written Memoirs –
Almost all climbers who have reached Uhuru Peak (the highest summit on Kibo’s crater rim), have written their thoughts on the accomplishment in a book that is kept in a wooden box at the rim.
Octogenarian Climber –
The oldest person to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro was an 87-year-old Frenchman, Valtee Daniel.
Fastest Ascension –
The fastest, recorded ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro happened in 2001. An Italian, man Bruno Brunod ascended Uhuru Peak, clocking 5 hours, 39 minutes. Also, the fastest roundtrip was accomplished in 2004. A local guide, Simon Mtuy ascended and descended the mountain in 8 hours and 27 minutes.
Icecap Melting –
Scientists have predicted that the ice that forms at the top of the mountain shall disappear within 20 years.
Specially-Abled Climber –
Bernard Goosen, a South African national scaled Mt. Kilimanjaro two times, in a wheelchair. His first ascension was in 2003, and he took nine days. The second climb took place four years later and took only six days. Goosen was born with cerebral palsy, and he used a modified wheelchair to climb the mountain, with little assistance.
Not as easy as it seems! –
Approximate 25,000 people attempt to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro each year. Also, two-thirds are usually successful, while altitude-related problems are why most climbers are unsuccessful while climbing the mountain.
We’ve talked about volcanoes, the history of Mount Kilimanjaro, and the facts about it.
GUIDE ABOUT CLIMBING MOUNT KILIMANJARO
We have a few pointers for all those who are enthusiastic about Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. So read on, you’ll want to note them down too. If you can find a Climb Kilimanjaro Guide, that can be very helpful too.
- You will pay a minimum of $2,000 for a climb. Also, it is recommended that you take the help of local guides as they are well versed with the tern and will be able to guide you and safeguard you. You can choose a group climb or a private climb. So, feel free to make new friends in a group climb, or choose a private climb with just your own family and (or) friends.
- A certain level of fitness requires to climb the mountain. A test done by a doctor can help determine if climbing will be feasible for you. Altitude sickness is a major reason why climbers are unsuccessful, so it’s ideal to get a doctor to check up on you to know how fit you are.
- You’ll be traveling through many ecological zones, and it’ll be a wonderful experience. Remember to enjoy them, click pictures, but also live in the moment.
Finally, there are guides available on the internet that can also help guide you the right way for Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing. Read as much as you can, connect with fellow travelers, make an itinerary, and most importantly, take good care of your health. Ensure you’re in great condition so you can witness the magnificence of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Happy Traveling!
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