KILIMANJARO CLIMB

IMPORTANT POINTS TO CONSIDER

Our Kilimanjaro/Meru climbs all include: the first and last night's accommodation in Arusha plus transfers to and from the park gates, a mix of huts or tents on the mountain, all food, an experienced and highly-trained mountain guide and porters. One of the members of staff will also double as the cook.

Altitude
As you ascend, the oxygen in the air decreases. Low oxygen in the blood causes shortness of breath, increased ventilation and raised heartbeat. Thinking may be slowed and co-ordination difficult. The routes that we offer ascend gradually, making acclimatisation easier and hopefully increasing chances of reaching the summit.

Clothing and your body
Many people become overheated when climbing, so it is best to dress in several layers. For instance, thermal vest, undershirt, overshirt, sweater and jacket. Sweating causes loss of bodily fluid and at the same time soaks clothes. These rapidly become cold in the wind or shade. It's therefore recommended that layers be removed as the body heats up. But be sure to put them back on when you stop to rest, enter a shadow or trek after sunset. If you get wet, change into dry clothes immediately. Winds around the saddle and summit can cause severe heat loss by evaporation, so a windproof jacket is required. Hats are also recommended, as they prevent heat loss from the scalp. A balaclava that covers hair, ears, forehead and chin is very useful at high altitudes. Good gloves, sunglasses and sun block are essential. Comfortable 'broken in' boots
are imperative.

Equipment
A certain amount of equipment can be hired from the park or the hotels before departure, including: sleeping bag, walking stick, rucksack, warm clothing, rain wear and water-bottle. However, bring your own 'worn in' shoes, including a light pair for walking and use around camp and a pair of boots for mud, rain, snow and ice. Other useful items include: sweater, wind/rain proof jacket, thermal underwear, hat/balaclava, gloves, thermal socks, scarf, sunglasses, sun-block cream, toilet paper, basic first aid kit, personal medicine, sweets, nuts, fruit, money (to purchase drinks at Mandara Hut) and a torch with spare batteries. If sleeping in any of the huts other than those on the Marangu Route (which have bunks and mattresses), it is essential to hire/bring a good ground cloth or foam mat.

Fluids
Everyone should drink four to five litres of fluid each day. Water is best, but fruit juice is a good supplement. Carry your own water-bottle at all times as dehydration is a real problem on the mountain. The air is very dry above 4,000m, so panting should be avoided and breathing ought to be through the nose. Controlled sweating is managed by wearing removable clothing and walking at a gentle pace. Sip fluids frequently.

Food
Appetites are usually good until around 4,000m. After that, few people feel like eating. Light carbohydrate food, like bread, cereals and rice, is highly recommended. These foods help increase oxygen in the blood, as well as providing the body with the necessary 4,000 calories per day. Citrus fruits and bananas are good to eat, as they reduce the alkaline condition of the blood. Nuts, fruits and sweets are excellent, but avoid fats, rich food, alcohol and tobacco.

Mountain sickness
Above 3,000m, some people begin to experience mountain sickness, which is caused by the body being unable to acclimatise fast enough to the altitude. The best way to prevent this is to ascend very slowly, taking care to eat and drink properly. The symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue, sleeplessness and the swelling of hands and feet. Above 4,000m, most people have some of these symptoms. If food and fluid intake has been adequate and symptoms persist, one should
descend immediately.

Porters
Porters are the backbone of a climber's trip. They are the silent ones: the ones who carry the loads, have your equipment set up hours before you arrive and sweat the same vertical path to the summit. They too are human and suffer from mountain sickness, frostbite and hunger. Please advise us if you see porters being treated unfairly, under-dressed or over-loaded.

Rescue team and medical facilities
The park has a reliable, well-equipped rescue team on the Marangu route. In case of emergency whilst on another route, the park headquarters is in radio contact with the guides. For medical emergencies, there are the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre and a large hospital in the Moshi area.