Is Climbing Kilimanjaro Worth It?
Is Climbing Kilimanjaro Worth It? The massive snow-covered peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro towers over the Tanzanian grasslands in the blistering sun. Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain and one of the world’s tallest mountains, is a goal that many hikers, athletes, and nature enthusiasts have set for themselves. However, at a height of 19,341 feet and an almost 50% failure rate, reaching the summit requires a substantial amount of effort against significant odds on Tanzania Hiking Safaris
Is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro worth it? Yes, Mt. Kilimanjaro climbing is well worth the effort, Cost and Time. Of course, there are risks to climbing this summit, but they can be readily avoided by knowing what to expect and making the required preparations. With the right preparations, your chances of reaching the summit and obtaining that life-changing view increase substantially.
There are numerous reasons why the average individual should set their sights on Kilimanjaro and make it a meaningful experience in their lifetime. You should not, however, venture off the streets and up the mountainside. When tackling this peak, there are life-threatening concerns to consider, as well as basic but crucial precautions that can be taken to avoid significant injury or potentially life-threatening scenarios.
WHY CLIMB KILIMANJARO
There are numerous reasons why climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro should be on your bucket list, but here are a few of the more compelling ones that will persuade you to put on your hiking boots.
It’s one of the Seven Summits.
The Seven Summits are mountains that are the highest points on their continent, and conquering these seemingly invincible summits is the pinnacle of mountaineering endeavors. Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain, is not only one of the Seven Summits, but it also has the distinction of being the world’s tallest free-standing mountain. As a result, ascending this peak is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that any avid hiker would relish.
Arguably the Most Accessible of the Seven Summits
Let us be clear: climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is not simple. When it is referred to as one of the Seven Summits, it does not imply that it will be an easy climb. What this truly implies is that, despite its height, Mt. Kilimanjaro is fairly approachable because it does not take any advanced equipment or climbing techniques to reach the summit.
As a result, as long as the hiker is educated on what to expect from the hike and physically healthy enough to cover the almost 40-mile route, anyone may do it. This is demonstrated by the oldest and youngest people who claim to have climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. Coaltan Tanner reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro at the age of six in 2018, making him the youngest person to do so. Anne Lorimor, 89, broke the record for the oldest person to climb Kilimanjaro in 2019. So, don’t underestimate yourself just yet. You, too, can reach the top with the right training and resources.
The natural beauty of its surroundings
Africa’s topography, natural diversity, and wildlife are completely distinct, making it the ideal environment for this magnificent hike.
In Tanzania, you’ll have the opportunity to witness bushbuck and red duiker, as well as spectacular cape buffaloes, blue monkeys, and leopards. If you’re lucky, you could get to see elephants lining the rivers. As you ascend the mountain, take in the fields and lush woodlands before disappearing into the clouds.
See the ice cap before it melts.
Unfortunately, numerous unique locales will no longer exist in some many years to come. Morning Glory’s colors will continue to fade. The artistically and culturally magnificent city of Venice will continue to sink, and Mt. Kilimanjaro’s snow-covered top will continue to melt. If you want to get the authentic experience of going from the searing scrub at the base to the cold peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, you need to start arranging your adventure as soon as possible.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF CLIMBING MT. KILIMANJARO?
There are risks to any hiking trip, whether it is 5 miles or 40 miles. The first step in planning for your hike in order to reduce these dangers is to educate yourself on what they are and what to expect in the worst-case scenario.
IS MT. KILIMANJARO A DORMANT VOLCANO?
Mount Kilimanjaro is made up of three volcanic cones. Mawenzi and Shira, the first two cones, are extinct and thus have little probability of erupting. However, the tallest peak, Kibo, could still erupt, turning the mountain into a dormant volcano.
Is it likely that the Kibo of Mt. Kilimanjaro will erupt while you are taking your victory photo at the peak? No. The volcano hasn’t erupted in about 200 years, and the last major eruption occurred 36,000 years ago. However, volcanoes are inherently unpredictable, so unexpected action on Kilimanjaro is not ruled out.
MOUNT KILIMANJARO HIGH FAILURE RATES
Nearly half of the 35,000 people who attempt to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro each year do not make it to the summit. Every year, approximately 1,000 people are evacuated from the mountain, and 10–30 people die. These stats may appear astonishingly high given that this trip is meant to be the simplest of the Seven Summits. There are two major causes behind this. Altitude sickness and poor packing
MOUNT KILIMANJARO ALTITUDE SICKNESS
Altitude sickness, by far the most serious risk of the hiking experience, arises when an individual increases elevation too quickly before their body has had the time to acclimate to the new conditions.
Lower oxygen levels at higher elevations can have a negative impact on the body, causing headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, weariness, and dizziness.
Individuals are affected differently by altitude sickness. Some people may have minor cases, while others may die as a result. The most common technique to relieve discomfort is to gradually descend, ultimately ending the trekking experience. The rate of accent is crucial in avoiding altitude sickness, which will be covered further later.
HOW CAN I REDUCE THESE RISKS?
Mt. Kilimanjaro is a goal that almost everyone can reach, and the last thing you want after coming all the way to Tanzania is to be sent back down due to a preventable illness or a lack of equipment. Here’s a simple precaution you may take to ensure you reach the summit and return safely to the base.
Choose the best route.
There are six main Mount Kilimanjaro routes that go to the top of Uhuru Peak, one of which begins on the mountain’s northern side and the others on its southern side. After deciding to climb Kilimanjaro, you’ll need to plan your route. Some are shorter for the elite hiker who can dash to the top and back, while others are longer for people who require more time to acclimate as they gain elevation.
We recommend taking the longer way unless you are a trained athlete who has been acclimatizing and is familiar with the mountain’s elevation variations. By taking a longer path, you will be less likely to experience discomfort as you acclimate to the progressive drops in oxygen as you gain elevation. This would significantly lower your chances of experiencing altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro, which leads most hikers to abandon their life-changing trek.
Pack Appropriately
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is like traveling through the rain forest, which is only found at the equator, and gradually making your way towards the freezing tundra of the Arctic.
This mountain’s base temperature is normally 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, while the peak temperature is 20 to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. You must be prepared for both scenarios. This includes many articles of clothing as well as sufficient water and food provided by the firm to last the voyage.
Furthermore, because the walk lasts nearly a week, you will need suitable camping equipment and survival gear (a first aid kit), and to top it all off, experts recommend that all of your equipment weigh no more than 30 pounds, so the weight isn’t too heavy for the porters.
It is difficult to climb Kilimanjaro safely without some of these necessities. So, before beginning this long journey, make sure to research packing lists and guides. You don’t want to go back after you’ve started.
Get the right Kilimanjaro outfitter or guide company.
If you are accompanied by a skilled mountain guide, your chances of completing the climb safely and successfully rise tremendously. These individuals have been trained and are well-versed in the pathways of this mountain, and they will ensure your safety at all times.
They will not only assist you with navigation, but they will also check that you are properly packed, have enough supplies for the voyage, and have emergency contacts if necessary. The guides will undoubtedly put you in good hands.
Packing is the key to a successful climb.
Many untrained hikers may hear that Kilimanjaro is a large hike that practically anyone can complete, and they will set out on this 40-mile route without the necessary equipment. The journey from the base to the summit of Kilimanjaro usually takes between 5 and 9 days. You won’t require mountaineering equipment to do this hike safely, but you will need enough food, water (which the guide company will provide), and basic hiking gear:
- Sunscreen
- Sleeping bag
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Trekking poles
- First aid kit
- Headlamps
- Extra clothes
- Shelter
This is by no means an exhaustive list of the gear required for Kilimanjaro. Even still, small mistakes like not drinking enough water can have serious implications, sending many hikers down the mountain unfinished or, in some cases, not at all.
FINAL THOUGHTS: IS CLIMBING KILIMANJARO WORTH IT?
Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is unlike any other experience most people have in their lives. The sheer height of this mountain places you directly in the clouds, and the panoramic vistas are just breathtaking.
Bring your camera, since you’ll be bragging about this feat to your friends and family for the rest of your life. As long as you plan ahead of time and are completely aware of the dangers that this mountain poses, climbing one of the Seven Summits is an unforgettable experience.
