Climbing Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro Volcano

Main article: Kilimanjaro

How did the chain of craters of the Kilimanjaro volcano arise and develop? What are its three peaks? What happens to its glaciers? Who and how explored the volcano and how did a former Russian army officer first look into its crater? The answers to those questions are here.

Kilimanjaro Airport

In December 2019, Kilimanjaro International Airport was fully transferred to Tanzanian public ownership. This was reported by the Nipashe newspaper with reference to the message of the Minister of Construction, Transportation and Railways of Tanzania.

In line with Isaac Kamvelwe's statement at the appointment ceremony of the new staff of Kilimanjaro Airport Development Company (KADCO), the Tanzanian Government made the latest payments to the owners of the airport's shares, which ensured that it could be fully transferred to public ownership.

He added that earlier the airport was jointly owned by shareholders and the state, however, after the total payment of US $5.6 million to shareholders, the airport completely passed into the possession of the Tanzanian government.

The government has launched a massive project to redevelop the airport to increase its capacity, Kamvelwe said.

Cable car on Kilimanjaro

Main article: Cable car in Kilimanjaro

Internet

In August 2022, state-owned Tanzania Telecommunications launched high-speed Internet in Kilimanjaro. Tanzania's Information Technology Minister Nape Nauye called [1] the event "historic." By the end of the year, the Internet should also be available at the highest point - 5,895 m.

Ascension

Climbing statistics

Kilimanjaro is one of the most popular mountains in the world. According to 2017 data, annually about 50 thousand people make an attempt to reach its peak. About 65% of them succeed^[1]. In 2022, it was also reported that about 50 thousand people begin climbing per year.

Preparation

What exactly gives a normal or increased hemoglobin content for climbing in the mountains? Iron intake in your diet needs to be increased a month before going to the mountains, with foods such as:

• rich in easily digestible iron: meat, liver (especially beef). From meat, the body receives 6% of iron, from eggs, fish - 2 times less, and from plant food - only 0.2%;
• apples, spinach, currants, juices, white mushrooms;
• peas, beans, hazelnut, chocolate;
• buckwheat, oatmeal;
• rye bread;
• consider the effect of tea and coffee. Tannin in tea and coffee binds iron, preventing it from being absorbed, not drinking tea or coffee immediately after eating;
• special additives containing medicinal iron (the presence of folic acid and cyanocobalamine is a mandatory requirement).

Experts recommend^[2]:

• HemoHelper (iron concentrate and essential amino acid complex)
• Ferrum lek (chewable tablets)
• Fenuls (capsules).

Guide, porters, cook, tip

As of 2017, a typical escort team for two ascendants includes:

• one guide
• 6 porters (3 per person)

^[1] cook].

Members of the escort team receive very little salary and their main income is tips. The good tone rules in force in the mid-2010s assumed a tip payment of 10% of the amount you paid the company for the tour. The following calculations were also given for the group for each day of the ascent:

• $10-15 to the guide;
• $8-10 cook;
• $5-10 to each porter.

Fraud schemes

One of the schemes previously used by park employees works like this: after your payment at the entrance to Kilimanjaro Park, the amount indicated in the check decreases (for example, 100 Tanzanian shillings are indicated instead of 100 dollars); on your way back, you'll be asked to pay extra in cash. Check the amounts in checks and keep them with you until you leave the park.

Some guides you can hire directly (without the mediation of a normal company) don't like to climb to the very top. Therefore, on the last day of the ascent, they start to Uhur too late so that there is no time left to go all the way and return to the camp. Discuss with the guide in advance everything that should happen to you the next day.

Routes

Moshi Township, located 854 meters above sea level on the south side of the mountain, has been the place from which the path to Kilimanjaro begins for many decades. The volcano is fully incorporated into Kilimanjaro National Park.

7, 8 and 9-day routes are recommended for climbing, as they are easier to adapt to less oxygen in the air. The more time spent on climbing, the easier acclimatization goes.

All routes to the highest point of Kilimanjaro converge at Stella Point.

Lemosho

The Lemosho route is considered optimal for acclimatization.

Day One

The climb begins with a move (about 3-4 o'clock) to the western entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park - Londorossi Gate (2200 m).

After a short procedure for obtaining mountain permites and registering with the rescue service, the group continues the high-altitude scoring on SUVs to the mark of 3500 meters, from this point for the first time beautiful panoramas on the Shire plateau open.

The transition from the scoring point to the first high-altitude camp of Shire 1 is about 5 km and takes only 1-2 hours of time, almost without climbing, which allows a moderate process of high-altitude acclimatization to begin.

Day two

Exit from the Shira 1 camp (3505 m) and easy tracking for 7 km for 3-4 hours to the second high-altitude camp of the Shira 2 (3900 m). The crossing itself is not physically difficult and allows you to enjoy African panoramas and the unusual flora of the Kilimanjaro mountain range. It is from the Shire 2 camp, in case of good weather, that views the Meru volcano (Africa's fifth peak). Upon arrival at the camp, after a two-hour rest, an acclimatization exit is held at a distance of 2 km for 1-2 hours towards the Lava Tower camp to a height of 4110 m with a climb of 200 m.

The acclimatization output is easy tracking with a small climb in order to speed up the acclimatization process. It is these exits that help increase the chances of successfully conquering the peak of Kilimanjaro and protect against the consequences of mountain sickness.

Day three

The transition distance on this day is 12 km in 6-8 hours.

From Camp Shire 2 (3900 m), the ascent to the key point of the route begins - the Tower of Lava (4630 m). There are many climbs and descents, after which the first stop is held at an altitude of more than 4600 m. It may be difficult and some health problems may arise, but for good acclimatization it is necessary to spend at least 1-2 hours here, so lunch is organized in this place.

In 2006, as a result of the melting of the Kilimanjaro glaciers, a large-decayed scree "came to life" above^[3] Lava Tower camp and began to "shell" its^[3] site]. As a result, after the death of three American tourists crushed by a fragment, the Lava Tower was closed for two years. Later, the activity of the scree somewhat decreased and the strict ban was changed to a subscription that the signatories go through the Tower of Lava at their own peril and risk. This means that in case of trouble, park rangers are not required to provide assistance and insurance will also not be paid, even if the accident or incident is not related to rockfall.

Lava Tower. Lunch stop area at the top right. TAdviser expedition. February 2019

The Lava Tower itself is also rapidly collapsing. Young guides recall that until recently, large blocks lying nearby were part of it.

Above this point and just to the side is the Arrow Glacier assault camp (4900m), where rockfalls occur. Lava Tower is located, as it were, on a hillock and the likelihood that the stones will ricochet there is very low. At this point, they spend 1-2 hours of rest, after which they descend to Camp Barranco. For 2018, overnight stay in the Lava Tower parking lot is provided only when climbing the Western Breach route.

In the event of one or more members feeling unwell, the group may refuse to cross the Lava Tower and shorten the route by taking the road for porters. In this case, you do not have to go to the mark of 4630 meters, it remains only to pass the maximum height of 4400 meters.

Next is the descent to Camp Barranco (3960 m). At the end of the crossing, you have to go through the magnificent groves of Dendrosenecio Kilimanjari trees.

Dendrosenecio Kilimanjari

On the approach to the camp, a view of the famous Barranco wall will open in front of you, which is impressive in its size and sheer.

Wall and Camp Barranco, 2019

The next day you have to conquer it, but do not worry, since it has a not very simple, but exciting hiking trail.

Day four: From Barranco to Karang

Climbing the Barranco wall (it is recommended to get out early so as not to be in the bustle of other groups).

Camp Barranco early morning, February 2019

Climbing the wall of the gorge (barrancos) takes about 1 hours in time.

The summit of Kibo is freed from clouds usually only in the morning and in the evening. View from Camp Barranco

After lifting, they take a break, shoot against the background of the Kibo volcano. Then the more difficult transition to the Karanga camp (4035 m) begins, as there will be constant descents and ascents on the way. The total crossing distance is 5 km in 4-5 hours.

A couple of hours after joining the Karanga camp, they organize an acclimatization exit towards the Barafu camp with a climb of 200 meters (up to 4270 m) and return to the camp. The distance is 2.5 km in 1-2 hours.

In the evening at Karanga Camp

Day five

Climbing 6 km in 4-5 hours to the Barafu assault camp (4640 m), it is from it that the night assault on Uhuru peak (5895 m) is carried out the next day.

Karang to Barafa Trail, February 2019

Acclimatization exit on this day 2 km in 1-2 hours to the Kosovo intermediate assault camp (4800 m) and descent back to Barafa. Some prefer to spend the night in Kosovo, which requires additional payment and the presence of a biotouelet in the caravan. The parking lot is not comfortable, but with good acclimatization of the group, it allows you to reduce the assault by about an hour, and if health problems arise, it is easy to go down to Barafa.

A view of Barafu camp from around 5,000 metres

The remaining time after returning to Barafa is best devoted to rest and have a good night's sleep before the night assault on the summit.

Day Six

Barafu Camp is an assault base for Lemosho, Shira, Machame and Umbwe routes). The ascent from Barafu begins at night and is the simplest, shortest and safest. Compared to the climb with Kibo Hat, it is shorter (as is the descent, often heavy for tired climbers) at an extra 2.5 km (the section between Stell and Gilman points).

In addition, the entire climb with Kibo goes along a very steep small "bulk," which crumbles underfoot. While when climbing from Barafu there is a long gentle section to the middle of the assault, which allows you to take a breath and gather before the main climb, and the last section in front of the peak from Stella Point to Uhuru at an altitude of 5895 m (about 2 km) has a very small slope.

Frequent crossings of the trail to rocky areas more comfortable to climb than shallow scree also help in storming from Barafu.

Climbing is technically quite simple, the height is a much more serious problem. Throughout the ascent, each two participants is distinguished by their own guide, who monitors the physical and moral condition.

After 5.5 hours of climbing from Barafu to the Stela point, about 40 minutes remain to the summit - Uhuru Peak. If desired, after successfully reaching Uhuru Peak, you can also go down to the nearest glacier or to the crater of the volcano - Ash Pit (Ash Pit, + $50 tips to human guides).

Image: (ss) Takashi Muramatsu

Then there is a return to Camp Barafu, where a two-hour rest is held, after which the descent to Camp Millennium (3820 m), located in the rainforest, begins.

90% of incidents occur on the descent, all broken legs/arms were damaged on the descent. There is also a lot of attention to the legs, you can knock down the nails on your fingers.

The transition distance on this day is 15 km in 8-12 hours.

Day seven: Descent from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate

When you wake up in the morning, you will be relieved to see the altitude drop. Then there is a descent to the exit from the National Park - the gate of Mwek (1650 m). The distance is 12 km in 4-5 hours.

Climatic zones and air temperature

The photo clearly shows the boundaries of the Kilimanjaro National Park, separating it from cultivated lands, and the climatic zones of the three peaks

Mount Kilimanjaro temperature correlates with different climatic zones:

• Bushland or cultivated zone, the height of the belt is 800-1800 m. This belt is characterized by a rainfall level of 1000 mm and an average temperature of about 25-28 ° C.

• The tropical rain forest zone (1800-3000 m) is warm and humid. It is densely covered with green vegetation, and the average annual temperature at an altitude of 2900 meters is 12-15 ° C (20-25 ° C during the daytime).

• The mountain tundra (3000-4200 m) is a semi-arid area of moorlands. The higher you rise, the less vegetation becomes. It is the land of giant heather, tree cross (Dendrosenecio Kilimanjari) and giant lobelias. Depending on the route, here you will spend one or two days of your ascent at an average temperature of 5-10 ° C (15-20 ° C in the daytime) at an altitude of 3600 m.

• The alpine belt zone (4200-5000 m) resembles a desert. Practically absent is any vegetation other than cacti and mosses. Here you will spend your fourth and fifth day on the mountain, making acclimatization exits as well as final preparations for the ascent. Here, the average annual temperature is exactly at zero at 5,000m, but during the daytime, when the sun shines, it is still quite warm and comfortable.

• The summit of Mount Kilimanjaro lies in the glacial zone (above 5000 m), and its average annual temperatures range around -6 ° C. However, keep in mind that all ascents usually begin at midnight to reach Uhuru Peak by dawn. Traffic at night is also thought to be facilitated by pebbles being shackled by^[1] this time. You will begin your journey from base camp in complete darkness, when the temperature may be in the region of -20 ° C. And when severe gusts of headwinds begin to test you for strength, you will find yourself overboard below -40^[4].

Climate zones of Kilimanjaro according to 1998 data

Recommended clothing and equipment

For dry season ascent, it is recommended to:

• Thermowell Kit, Gore-Tex Membrane
• raincoat (rain can rain in the rainforest below)
• if the boots are incorrectly selected or the descent passes very quickly, you can knock the nails on your fingers.

• A small backpack (35-40 liters) for basic necessities;
• Baul for things that porter will carry (80-120 liters);
• Sleeping bag (-15 ° C comfort);
• Rain cape - preferably a poncho, which also covers the backpack;
• Mountain boots with moisture-repellent impregnation and good tread;
• Sports sneakers for the first days of climbing, and to change shoes in the camp;
• Tracking pants for the first days of ascent (2 pcs.);
• Storm pants with a membrane - to protect against rain and wind;
• Warm ski pants (designed for -15 ° C);
• T-shirt, long-sleeve shirt (4-5 pcs.);
• Storm jacket with membrane - to protect against rain and wind;
• Jacket down at -15 ° C - will be required during the storming of the top;
• Thermal underwear for active sports (preferably 2 pcs.);
• Light tracking gloves;
• Mittens calculated to -15 ° C to storm the top;
• Tracking socks (4-5 pairs);
• Hammocks for dust/snow protection;
• Cap/panama/hat - to protect the face and neck from the equatorial sun;
• Fleece cap;
• Balaclava - for wind protection during the storming of the summit;
• Climbing sunglasses (do not take cheap Chinese);
• Headlamp;
• Tracking sticks;
• Water flasks (total volume 2 liters), an alternative to flasks can be a drinking system built into a backpack;
• Sunscreen (SPF 50 +);
• Hygienic lipstick;
• Towel, soap, toothpaste, brush;

List of recommended things to climb:

• Pillow - will add comfort when staying overnight in tents
• MP3 player is an ideal thing during tracking, especially during storming the top
• Slippers/shales - since transitions usually go from morning to 2 pm, the rest of the time passes in the camp, where the legs need to fully rest
• Hand and foot warmers (chemical)
• Solar panels for charging phones/laptops, it is also worth considering that in the cold the batteries drain quickly, you need to have backup and keep them warm
• Bags with hydraulic protection for money/documents - if desired, they can be left in a safe, in the company office
• Hand disinfectant
• Earplugs and a sleep mask - at night, porters of other groups often like to communicate loudly, which interferes with comfortable sleep
• Chocolate/energy bars, nuts and dried fruit are what's right for a light but nourishing snack

Mountain sickness and medicines

Mountain disease is a painful state of the human body that has risen to a significant height above sea level, which occurs due to hypoxia (insufficient oxygen supply of tissues), hypocapnia (lack of carbon dioxide in tissues) and is manifested by significant changes in all organs and systems of the human body.

The most interesting thing that can happen to a person during this is the sudden onset of euphoria. Due to oxygen starvation, the brain ceases to adequately control the release of all biological substances in the body, which means that they begin to be thrown away massively and in a random order. For example, the release of endorphin (the hormone of happiness) and adrenaline may occur. As a result, a person will feel incredible emotional and physical uplift and it will seem to him that he is capable of everything, although at that moment the body would desperately need help. There are cases when during such "situations," climbers themselves fled from their comrades, threw away all the equipment or even jumped from the mountain themselves.

If there are signs of mountain sickness, drink a Diamox tablet. Most climbers take Diamox in the morning, before the start of the ascent, which allows to reduce the discomfort from mountain sickness.

Drink 4 liters or more of bottled water daily (it is better to drink a little, but often).

At night, you may have an uncomfortable feeling from acclimatization: due to a decrease in breathing activity, oxygen comes even less than during the day, and taking into account the height, the likelihood of nausea and headache increases significantly.

Deaths during ascents

According to the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center in Moshi, 25 people died while climbing between January 1996 and 2003. Of these, 17 are women and 8 are men between the ages of 29 and 74. The cause of death of 14 people was altitude sickness, 4 - myocardial infarction, 3 - injuries, 2 - pneumonia, 1 - appendicitis.

According to a 2004 study, the mortality rate was calculated as 13.6 people per 100,000 who started the ascent (0.0136 percent).

On September 28, 2019, a Canadian paraglider died on Kilimanjaro.

"The incident happened at around 9am when the tourist's parachute did not open. He climbed the mountain and tried to go down from it on a paraglider, "said an employee[5].

In early February 2024, Australian tourist John Clark died 100 meters from the top. He was 60 years old and he wanted to celebrate this day at the peak of Kilimanjaro. During the ascent, Clark began to experience symptoms of mountain sickness, but despite this, he insisted that he be brought to the top. Having almost achieved the goal, the group decided to return to provide him with medical care. However, despite all efforts, it was not possible to save the Australian ^[6]].

In August 2024, while climbing Kilimanjaro, Ivan Rybkin, vice president of RESO-Garantia, died as part of the corporate team. Ivan ^[7]. He did not live one month before his 59th birthday.

Records

By lifting speed

On August 13, 2014, a new climbing speed record was set. Karl Egloff, 33, a Swiss-Ecuadorian mountain guide, raced the steepest route from Umbwe Gate (1661 m) through West Prolom, Uhuru Peak (5895 m) and down to Mwek Gate (1600 m) in 6 hours, 42 minutes and 24 seconds^[8].

Prior to this, the ascent record was held by the Spaniard Kilian Zhorne Burgada, who rose and went down in 7 hours 14 minutes (net time to climb 5 hours 23 minutes and 50 seconds), in turn, breaking the previous record of Kazakhstani Andrei Puchinin for several minutes in 2009 years - a rise in 5 hours 24 minutes and 40 seconds along the Marangu route.

By age

On October 25, 2015, a new Guinness record was set by a Russian woman, Angela Vorobyova at the age of 86 successfully conquered Africa's highest mountain, the Kilimanjaro volcano and became the oldest ascendant in history.

In 2017, a resident of Nizhny Novgorod Zinovy ​ ​ Slavinsky climbed Elbrus at the age of 87. Thus, he broke the world age record.

American Montana Kenny, seven, climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro with her mum, Holly Kenny, 45. Their expedition reached its intended target on March 16, 2018.

Montana Kenny with her mother atop Kilimanjaro, 2018

In July 2019, US resident Anne Lorimore set a world record by climbing Kilimanjaro at 89 in 9 days, including a descent. A few years before that, the American had already become the oldest conqueror of Kilimanjaro, but this title was taken away from her a few months later by Angel Vorobyov. After that, Zinovy ​ ​ Slavinsky updated the record, and then Lorimor decided to conquer the peak again.

In November 2019, six-year-old Ashlyn from the UK became the youngest girl to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The girl refused any help until she rose 5,985 meters above sea level.

Climbing reports

• Climbing Kilimanjaro
• How life works during the ascent of Kilimanjaro

Notes