Kilimanjaro Tips For Success

Listed below are tips providing potential Mount Kilimanjaro hikers with valuable information which will hopefully contribute to increase your chances for success and have an amazing experience

Before the climb

• Be properly equipped

An essential part of your preparation will be to ensure that you are well equipped for your hike, see checklist

• Be physically prepared

It is important that your body is adequately prepared for the physical challenges of Mount Kilimanjaro. We have developed a fitness training program that will assist you in getting your body in shape for your Kilimanjaro hike. See the fitness program.

• Mental preparation

It is possible to summit Kilimanjaro successfully. Many before you have succeeded. You should believe that you are going to succeed, it is important to stay positive but not overly arrogant. A positive mind will make it easier for you to hike the difficult sections. Be sure to be properly equipped and physically prepared as this will aid your mental preparation.

• Adequate travel insurance

Make sure that you have adequate travel and medical insurance, which will also provide you with cover for the climb up Kilimanjaro. Please make sure you will be covered for the climb up Kilimanjaro & eligible for Kilimanjaro search & rescue services.

On The Mountain

• Go slowly

“pole pole” is a common Swahili phrase translating to slowly, which is now a norm among hikers climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Going slowly will help your body adopt to altitude changes (acclimatize) and prevent altitude sickness, you should go slowly and enjoy the scenery.

• Drink enough water

Make sure you drink at least 3 liters of water a day, please note no plastic bottles are allowed. Running water on the mountain will be purified. Enough water is key to a successful climb

• Walk high – sleep low

If possible and especially on your acclimatization day “walk high – sleep low” Try to do a short evening stroll to a higher altitude and then descend to sleep at the camp at a lower altitude. This will help your body adapt to the altitude

• Climb light

Climb as lightly as possible, this becomes even more important on your summit night. Extra weight will slow you down and make breathing more difficult.

• Packing

Remember that you will be on the mountain for at least 5 or 6 days. You need to take enough clothing, especially socks to last for this period. Due to frequent rainfall as well as numerous streams on the routes. Please take note that Tanzania has a plastic ban, so we recommend you use a big liner bag inside your duffel bag. Zip lock type plastic bags are allowed but you may not dispose of it in Tanzania. It is important to make sure items in your duffel bag remain dry even in case of rain or being accidentally dropped in a stream.

Tip: Checked luggage on airplanes can get lost or delayed on the way to Tanzania. You should prepare for this possibility by wearing or carrying on the items that are essential to your Kilimanjaro climb.

• Clothing

You will require the correct underwear (moisture wicking fabric) to keep you dry, thermal hiking socks, gloves (preferably mittens), warm head protection, rain coat, sunglasses and sun protection cream.

Also remember your hiking boots, hiking/running shoes (it is not necessary to walk with boots or climbers’ shoes until the last sections where scree and rocks are encountered), and very importantly, a walking stick / ski-pole.

One of the most critical items of clothing is an outer jacket. You want it to perform the functions of keeping you warm, protect you at temperatures of as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius, keep the wind out and yet still “breath”. Try to avoid tight fitting clothing or underwear. This will hamper circulation, causing either cold or discomfort on the mountain.

A balaclava is a must, as it will protect your face against cold, wind, sun and snow. Other clothing like shorts, sweaters and T-shirts are strongly recommended, especially during hiking on the lower slopes, when the day temperatures are still high.

The only way to ensure that you are dressed warmly is to follow the principle of wearing the correct clothing layers, starting from against the body. A common mistake made by climbers is to wear almost everything they have and to start off with cotton against the skin. Cotton absorbs moisture perfectly, and moisture trapped against the skin will result in a definite lowering of the body temperature, which could even lead to hypothermia. It is therefore very important to use proper thermal underwear with “wicking” properties (a fabric which has the ability to draw moisture away from the body) and thus enabling it to evaporate to the outside. The middle layer should provide insulation and a product like polar fleece will be adequate in this regard. The outer layer should be windproof, waterproof, and breathable. Products like Ventex, Goretex, or Jeantex offer these properties. Short of altitude and physical exertion, cold is one of the most serious obstacles when attempting to summit Kilimanjaro. (see full packing list)

• Take a ski – pole

A ski – pole is essential. Use of ski poles reduces external and internal loads on the knee joint by up to 20%. Using 1 ski pole is a must, but 2 poles are recommended. Buy one or hire one but take one.

• New batteries

Replace your head lamp and camera batteries with new ones on your summit night.

• Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

Acute Mountain Sickness is also referred to as “Altitude Sickness” as the name indicates the illness is commonly encountered at exceptionally high altitudes, such as the summit area of Mount Kilimanjaro. This is a very common issue about 3 out of 4 hikers will suffer to some extent from the altitude sickness, it is, therefore, important to familiarize yourself with this condition and preventive measures. See all Kilimanjaro health issues

• Malaria

Malaria occurs below 1800 meters and you should use the recommended prophylactics. Please consult your doctor about these. Currently, there are various preventative medication products available which will be effective against the malaria strains currently found in Tanzania. Women using oral contraceptives should consult their physicians before using prophylactics.

Other useful tips

• Wet wipes

There is no washing water at Barafu, Kibo and Arrow Glacier camps. Wet Wipes are very useful

• Snacks

Take enough snacks like energy bars etc. Avoid the toffee like energy bars (as they get very hard and difficult to eat in low temperatures) but rather but the cereal type energy bars.

• Adequate sun protection

Wear a good quality pair of sunglasses (with UV protection) and use adequate sun protection cream with a protection factor of at least 20+.

• Thermal flask

Use a thermal flask for your water on the summit night, other water bottles might freeze solid.

• Camera

Taking pictures with a fully automatic camera at the summit of Kilimanjaro is possible, and most people do this. The secret is to always have a new battery in your camera when going into cold areas at high altitude. A mechanical camera works just as well, provided you have the knowledge to operate it successfully. Cameras exposed to cold do not cease functioning, but remember that if you keep your camera inside your jacket and the lens becomes warm, chances are that it will form condensation when suddenly exposed to extreme cold. This condensation will freeze under conditions at the summit. Therefore, keep your camera dry at all times. Moisture will freeze at the summit which WILL cause your camera to stop functioning.

• Waterproof linear bag

Make sure all your clothes and sleeping bag are packed inside a waterproof liner bag inside the duffel bag, to ensure they stay dry in the event of rain, even if your duffel bag is waterproof. Once something gets wet on the mountain it is difficult, even impossible to dry!

• Vaseline and vicks vaporub

It is good to use Vaseline and Vicks Vaporub on the summit attempt. Moist air coming from your noise or on your lips will freeze and become very uncomfortable, Vaseline will help prevent this. Vicks Vaporub will keep your nose open.

• Ear plugs

Sound travel at night and many people snore on Kilimanjaro – bring some ear plugs to sleep with.

• Decongestant spray

The trail is very dusty and sinus congestion is a problem with many hikers. Bring a good decongestant spray or tablets.

• Tip for women

Female hikers suffer more from the cold than male hikers. Hand / feet warmers are a good idea (or even a hot water bottle – hot water is available during meal times). This will help keep you warmer in the sleeping bag (minus temperatures to be encountered from the first night onwards)

• Lost luggage

Travel with your most important gear as hand luggage – e.g. wear your hiking boots in the plane – missing luggage is a common problem. It is possible to rent most of the items, but it better to avoid renting hiking boots, thermal underwear etc.

• Blister treatment

Bring some blister plasters, Vaseline and liner socks. If you start to get blisters it will help a lot.

• Mobile reception on the mountain

There is mobile reception on most of the mountain (except the first days on the Lemosho and Rongai route). If you bring your mobile, make sure you activate international roaming. Because you cannot recharge the battery, only have the phone on an hour or two daily.

THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP OF ALL – ENJOY THIS ONCE IN A LIFE TIME EXPERIENCE!!!