How to Climb Africa's Kilimanjaro

The tallest mountain on the African continent at 19,339 feet, Kilimanjaro is made up of the Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira peaks - all extinct volcanoes. Though the climb is not technical, the grueling nature and exquisite beauty of this giant are often underestimated. Kilimanjaro simply does not disappoint those who explore its flanks and challenge its summit.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Winter Outerwear
• Travel Services
• Camp-stove Fuels
• Camping Stoves
• Climbing Harnesses
• Climbing Ropes
• Winter Backpacking Tents

1. Write a $4,000 check for a guided expedition and safari, but pay your airfare separately.

2. Connect through Europe to Nairobi, Kenya, where you'll spend the night prior to your land adventure.

3. Shuttle to Arusha, Tanzania, where tour operators register with the park service and arrange for your porters.

4. Travel off-road to the less-visited and wild Machame trailhead.

5. Begin your hike at 6,000 feet among the monkeys of the rain forest.

6. Camp at 9,000 feet to rest before you trudge across the moor lands.

7. Ascend to the Shira Plateau and acclimate to 12,460 feet.

8. Push on to the Barranco Hut at 13,500 feet, where you'll be treated to a panorama overlooking five ecosystems and game reserves.

9. Charge onward to the Barafu Hut at 15,700 feet, a five-hour hustle to the high desert plateau, where you'll rest before your summit attempt.

10. Awake for a 2 a.m. departure with your headlamps mounted. Walk along the ridge approaching the rim of the crater and traverse northwest to the Uhuru peak.

11. Absorb the 360-degree panorama before you descend on the same path, or take the Mweka route down the south side of the mountain for a change of scenery.

Tips & Warnings

• Be nice to your porters. In addition to lugging much of your gear, they can provide you with an interesting look at African culture you might otherwise miss.
• Allow for seven to eight days, rather than a rushed six-day trip. You stand a better chance of making the summit and will take in more of the wilderness.
• Mountaineering can cause injury, illness and possibly death.
• Also.... Don't pet the lions.

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on 7/20/2006 To avoid a very tough climb in the rain and mud, it is recommended to climb the mountain during the high-season when there is the lowest rainfall. This time is from July to mid October each year.

on 11/22/2005 Try going up the Rongai, and come down the Marangu route. I did that in January of 2004 and had a swell time. It took me took a total of 6 days.

on 11/22/2005 I climbed Mt.Kilimanjaro in 1988. There are no lions to be found along the way as the altitude is too high and the fauna is not their habitat. Lions are found in the plains or grasslands such as Serengeti.