Every year at least 50,000 people from all walks of life and all around the world attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa.
They all set out to conquer its Summit at more than 5895 Meters above sea level, but many later realizes it is not as easy as those colored travel brochures tend to suggest.
Mountain sickness, freezing weather and fatigue can be discouraging, but what should one do to reach the topmost escalation of Kibo and return to base in one piece?
“Since I have started guiding climbers in Mount Kilimanjaro, not a single one has reached the summit,” observes a Mountain Guide.
As far as he is concerned the people under his charge have all reached Uhuru peak by using the Marangu route.
“My point is this… If climbers take eight days or more for acclimatization there at Kibo huts for say two nights he or she must eventually reach Uhuru peak without any problem,” he says.
So what is usually the problem?
“The few days taken to summit Kilimanjaro using the Marangu route is the problem.”
The Mountain Guide explains that this is the reason why the possibility of inexperienced climbers reaching the summit via the Marangu route is usually very low.
And this is despite the fact that the Marangu circuit is sometimes described as ‘Coca-Cola,’ route, being less steep than other roads heading to the summit.
“On the final night to the top you walk up for seven hours and then you spend eight to nine hours descending down after that,” adds another expert climber.
“People end up walking for between 15 and 16 hours in one day.”
“Now, how can that be enjoyable?” he wonders.
And all this is just because one needs to rush down and reach the gate the next day.
The guides recommend that it is better to just go down for 3 or 4 hours so as to get below 4000 meters altitude and then get some proper rest.
This then allows for an enjoyable descent the next few days.
Ten hours of walking is plenty for one day.
On most days the journey up to the mountain peak is done for between 6 and 8 hours.
The guides do understand the need for climbers to get down where altitude sickness is less of a threat after summiting.
However they warn that there is no need to rush down the mountain in a stupor from exhaustion.
“That is without being able to sense the surroundings!”
Costs of Climbing Kilimanjaro
The cost to climb Mount Kilimanjaro usually varies depending on a number of things
- The tour company you work with
- The length of the route you choose.
- The number of days you plan to spend on the trail and other details