Mt. Kilimanjaro
The first time i heard of Mt. Kilimanjaro was a few years ago when i read Hemingway's short story The Snows of Kilimanjaro. My imagination was captured by this incredible mountain standing like a guardian over the east African plain. When i heard it was possible to climb the mountain, it immediately was recorded on my mental list of "Things i Must Do Before i Die". There is no time like the present to start checking things off that list! Which begs the question.. what's on your list?Mt. Kilimanjaro is the world's tallest freestanding mountain, formed by three massive volcanoes that became one giant mountain. Visually striking and known for its beauty, Mt. Kilimanjaro rises above the surrounding African plain in dramatic fashion. Atop the mountain, glaciers and snow provide a year-round sparkling white cap. Sadly, these glaciers which have existed for thousands of years are expected to be gone in the next 15-20 years. One exciting thing about climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is that you have the opportunity to traverse through 5 distinct eco-zones: beginning in rainforest, then heath (small shrublands), moorland (peat moss), alpine desert and finally glaciers.
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is no easy task. Only fifty percent of those who attempt to climb the mountain actually make it to the summit, and each year several climbers die while trying. In fact, ten climbers have died on the mountain the past year. The most dangerous aspect of climbing is succumbing to altitude sickness from the lack of oxygen.
I love this fact - my buddy Pete (who is a pilot) explained to me that the FAA requires any airplane flying above 14,000 feet to have a pressurized cabin with oxygen. At 19,350 feet, the summit of Kilimanjaro is far higher, and the air only has HALF the oxygen that it does at sea level. If you're not careful and/or prepared, the lack of oxygen to your brain can result in altitude sickness and your body systems begin shutting down. Scary, i know.. so that's why i've been training the past three months and plan to be 100% prepared when i tackle the mountain in just a few short weeks. Wish me luck!
posted by johnny 5 @ 6:08 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Good luck!
Africa has been in the list of one of my future destinations. But unfortunately, there simply hasn't been the chance to go there. The nearest place I got was Athens, Greece, which is across the Meditteranean. With all the travelling I've done so far, I still haven't reached Africa, South America, and Australia.
But hopefully these things will change next year. I might go to Morocco next summer, and so I'll probably land in the dark continent after all.
It must be exciting to embark on such a trip, and encounter the different people and their language (I am a graduate student in linguistics, so that explains the fascination).
Anyway, again, good luck to your journey. And write back for us to read.
LIW
Be VERY, VERY careful.......be safe, come home safely please.
I've also been in an altitude chamber that simulated 25,000 feet before. After about 20 seconds without breathing pressurized oxygen you get really silly, like drunk silly, and its becomes hard to remember how to count to ten.... Kinda weird. I'm curiouse if you encounter this euphoric feeling at 19,000 feet as well. I look forward to hearing about this great adventure, thanks for the mention. talk to ya soon. -Pete
I've also been in an altitude chamber that simulated 25,000 feet before. After about 20 seconds without breathing pressurized oxygen you get really silly, like drunk silly, and its becomes hard to remember how to count to ten.... Kinda weird. I'm curiouse if you encounter this euphoric feeling at 19,000 feet as well. I look forward to hearing about this great adventure, thanks for the mention. talk to ya soon. -Pete
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