Kilimanjaro National Park

Climbing

Africa’s snow-capped giant bursts out of the savannah to an almost haughty 5,895 metres. Mount Kilimanjaro is a stratovolcano and therefore boasts three peaks: Kibo (5,895 metres), Mawenzi (5,149 metres) and the Shira plateau (3,962 metres). Today, the volcano is still partly active. Don’t expect any display from Shira and Mawenzi – both collapsed over a million years ago – but sleeping beauty Kibo is still capable of some action. During the past century its cone has been seen smoking and expelling ominous rumbling noises from deep down its core.

Reaching the summit feels like being on top of Africa

When the German missionary Johannes Rebmann wrote about a snow-capped peak on the Equator in 1848, people didn’t take him seriously. But his words did trigger some daredevils to conquer the remarkable colossus. The first attempt in 1861 failed and it wasn’t before 1889 that the German geographer Hans Meyer became the first foreigner to reach Kibo Peak. The summit was baptised Kaiser Wilhelm Spitze (Kaiser Wilhelm Peak), after the Prussian ruler Wilhelm I. After independence in 1961 it was given a more local name: Uhuru (Freedom) Peak.

All adults of normal health and fitness should be able to make it to the top. There is no need to bring serious climbing equipment, but waterproof, windproof and warm gear (don’t forget mittens and a hat) is highly advisable. The conditions may change rapidly so bring a set of clothes for each day.

It is not only about reaching the top however. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a journey from the tropics to the Arctic and back. The higher you climb, the colder it gets; Mount Kili encompasses several major climatic zones. You start from the surrounding hot, tropical region (800-1,900 metres). You then walk through the dense and lush montane forest (1,900-2,900 metres) inhabited with primates, antelopes and even elephants. After the forest you reach the bushy and grassy heath and moorland (2,900-4,000 metres) with huge heather and giant, alien-looking lobelias. The final vertical kilometre takes you through sparse, barren alpine desert (4,000-5,000 metres) to the chilly summit (up to 5,895 metres), consisting of lava desert and glacier patches. Mission accomplished: a vertical tour around the world in unrivalled beauty.

Accommodation

On the mountain: several huts on the Marangu route and campsites on the other routes. Outside the park: several hotels and campsites in Moshi town and the village of Marangu.

Note: advance booking through tour operators is required.

The six-day Marangu trail: the oldest way up Mount Kilimanjaro

Day 1: an 8 km trek from Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut that will take about 4-5 hours (ascent 760 m)

Day 2: an 11 km trek to Horombo Hut that will take about 5-6 hours (ascent 1,053 metres)

Day 3: Rest day

Day 4: an 11 km trek to Kibo Hut that takes about 4,5-6 hours (ascent 970 metres)

Day 5: a 21 km trek from Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak, back to Kibo Hut and Horombo Hut that will take about 14-17,5 hours (ascent 1,142 metres, decent 2,112 metres)

Day 6: a 19 km trek to Marangu Gate that takes about 5-6 hours (decent 1,810 metres)

Alternatives

There are several other routes that take you to the summit of Kibo: Machame, Rongai, Umbwe and Londorosi/Lemosho. The Mweka route is used as a descent corridor for the Machame, Umbwe and Londorosi/Lemosho routes.

Note: although climbing Mount Kili is feasible for the many of us, no one said it is going to be easy. Keep in mind that it will be a challenging hiking experience at all times and the oxygen content of the air on top is 40% of that of sea level.

•Kilimanjaro National Park is a World Heritage Site and established in 1973 (yet officially opened in 1977).

•From west to east it stretches 45 km.

•Height: from 2,700 metres (Mandara) to 5,895 metres (Kibo).

•The park is easily accessible, arrival by tarmac road (steep slopes in the last section).

•It’s a 123 km drive from the town of Arusha, which will take about 2 hours: 1 hour to the town of Moshi (first 80 km). From there it takes another hour to Marangu Gate (1,970 metres), through the village of Himo.

•Although there are lots of hikers on popular Marangu route all year round, it is relatively quiet on the less frequently used routes.

What reasons inspire people to scale Kilimanjaro today? Wasn’t the mountain conquered many years ago? Our writer Gervase Tatah explores the motives that draw people to Kilimanjaro, right from the days of Hans Meyer. It is now one hundred and twentyfive years since the first successful expedition to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. The mountain was conquered in October 1889 after almost 40 years of attempts by western climbers to explore the mountain in difficult expeditions which included men like: Johannes Rebmann (1848), Baron von der Decken (1861 and 1862), Charles New (1871), Harry Johnston (1883) and Hans Meyer (1887-1889).

The presence of a snowcapped mountain in Africa, became known to Europeans in 1848 when the German missionary Johannes Rebmann explored this part of East

Africa. However, reports from the explorer that there was a snow-capped mountain in Africa, so close to the Equator, was not believed until Hans Meyer and the Austrian mountaineer Ludwig Purtscheller climbed the mountain to the summit, ending a four- decade struggle among European explorers to reach the summit first and prove its snows.

Hans Meyer was a geology professor from Leipzig in Germany. He made four attempts to Kilimanjaro beginning in 1887 when the routes to the peak were not known, when the alpine forests round it was much thicker, and when its snow was much, much more prevalent on the slopes than it is today. Hans Meyer’s conquest indeed was difficult and historical.

Interestingly today, since Hans Meyer’s climb in 1889, the mountain still attracts climbers across the globe as if it is another beginning of discovery. Until today the attempt to climb Kilimanjaro is still the greatest challenge for adventurers wishing to reach the highest point on the African continent. But what really attracts people from every corner of the world, and from every age-set, to climb Kilimanjaro?

By and large, there are five good reasons that inspire people to climb Kilimanjaro:

1 a winter wonderland of ice and snow – the magnificent beauty of the roof of the continent.

. Kilimanjaro is a natural wonder: it is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. It is a free-standing mountain because it is not a part of a mountain range; it just rises abruptly from the open plains to kiss the clouds with a snowcapped peak at an elevation of 5, 895m (19,340 feet).

2. Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano but not an extinct one. The most recent activity was about 200 years ago; the last major eruption was 360,000 years ago. Ominous rumbles can sometimes be heard –and gases emerge from fume holes in the crater.

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. Almost every kind of ecological system in the world is found on the mountain, right from tropical crops on the cultivated slopes, to the lush alpine forest inhabited by wild animals. Above the forest lies the moorland zone where a cover of heather, giant lobelia and huge, cactus-like plants grow. Then there is an almost-lunar landscape, the saddle, which stretches between the two peaks of Kibo and Mawezi. The saddle is just a desert vainly dotted with moss and lichen. Then, finally, the last vegetation gives way to

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Kilimanjaro is one of the world’s most accessible high summits: With the help of porters and a guide it is possible to walk all the way to the summit of Kibo without specialized mountaineering equipment, or experience, and Kilimanjaro can be conquered by any reasonably fit person. Most climbers reach the crater rim with little more than a walking stick, proper clothing and determination. The whole climb normally takes five or six days and involves four or five overnight stays in mountain huts or tents.

5. The highest point on the mountain, and indeed the whole of Africa, is Uhuru t essen s e e ui e t e t climbing Kilimanjaro?

Peak on Kibo. The peak provides views of spectacular glaciers and a yawning wide crater. Also on Kibo is the slightly lower peak of Gillman’s Point. These are the goals for most climbers. And those who reach Uhuru, the actual summit, or Gillman’s Point on the lip of the crater, earn certificates at the end of their expedition for their brave endeavours to walk to the Roof of Africa.

. Who Can Climb Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in the world where climbers can walk from the bo om to the peak without specialized equipment. opes and other technical climbing gear are not necessary. Most climbers reach the crater rim with just a walking stick and determination. However, climbing Kilimanjaro is physically demanding. ou should be in good shape before a empting the climb. Someone with a history of heart or lung problems must consult his or her physician before a empting to climb Kilimanjaro.

What kind of training and exercise does an aspiring climber need?

He or she needs training by hiking at list three times a week carrying some weight in a backpack preferably 15 pounds, about kilograms. If someone has an opportunity to do a hike in hilly areas, that is the best way to train. Mental preparation however, is the most important thing. The climber must be determined.

. How many routes are there?

There are seven climbing routes and all head to the peak from di erent directions. The routes vary considerably in length, di culty and scenery. They are Marangu oute, Machame oute, ongai oute, Shira oute, Lemosho oute, mbwe oute and Mweka oute It is possible to climb the mountain in five days, but more days on the mountain broadens the chances of summiting.

For a comfortable climb you need comfortable hiking boots. ou need to dress in layers of cloth, a minimum of three layers. Bear in mind that co on cloth is not good because when it gets wet it does not keep you warm. n top of your layers of cloth, a jacket and pants are necessary. The head must be well protected, for this you need a shade hat for the sun, a warm hat and a balaclava for cold. Sunglasses are very important too; bring a few pairs including glacier sunglasses. For sleeping bring a full size sleeping pad and a sleeping bag.

. What about tents?

The quality of tents is very important high- quality tents will protect you from storms, snow, rains and keep you warm and safe on Kilimanjaro. Tents need to be specifically for high altitudes and wind resistance.

.Do climbers need the same food at i tu e n the lower altitudes as you begin to climb, full meals with protein will give you enough energy for the climb. As you get higher, your body cannot digest protein and thus li le meat is served. All the way, the meals should contain vegetables and fruits for a proper diet. It is strongly advised you drink enough water every day; good hydration help acclimatization on the mountain.

. What measures do you take in case of an accident?

Kilimanjaro National Park has its well functioning rescue teams which work shoulder to shoulder with the company whose client has an accident. The rescue team can drive up to 12, feet above the sea level. Beyond that altitude they use di erent types of stretchers to carry the patient down the mountain depending on the severity of the problem. The patient is then taken by an ambulance to a hospital in Moshi town on the slopes of the mountain. Sometimes the patient is flown abroad for further care. For the case of highattitude sickness, the treatment is descend, descend, descend.

Arusha