Climbing Kilimanjaro

"It was without a doubt the most difficult thing I’ve ever gone through with and completed in my life." - Dan D., summited Kilimanjaro 9/17/2005

So how do you go about climbing the tallest mountain in Africa? Tanzanian law requires that you hire a guide, which in all honesty is probably a good thing! The guide will help show you the route up the mountain while porters carry up much of the gear and cooking equipment. In Tanzania being a guide or porter is a highly desirable job and so the competition is stiff. During the climb the guide will constantly remind you by shouting Pole! Pole! which is Swahili for "slowly! slowly!". Going slow with even breathing is a big part of helping your body to acclimatize.

There are several routes up the mountain. The most popular and fastest route is called the Marangu or 'Coca-Cola' route. Climbers choose Marangu because it is the cheapest and easiest way up the mountain, but it is also the most crowded. Along the way climbers sleep in huts (i'd prefer to rough it). On Marangu you also have the least chance of successfully reaching the summit because the body has a very difficult time acclimatizing (hence increasing the risk of death).

I've chosen to take the Machame route, which is known to be more difficult than Marangu but far more beautiful. Also, the route reaches a high point in elevation on the third day before descending across the mountain face to that night's camp. This aids adjustment to the altitude. Reaching the summit on this route is still difficult, but more likely than some of the other routes. And above all.. this route promises spectacular views along the way.