Excited about your Mount Kilimanjaro climb? Been planning it for weeks? Here are a few tips from Cape Union Mart to get you ready for what could possibly the trek of your life:
1. The Company
Make sure to hire the right people for the job. Don’t pick your tour group based on price. Hire them based on experience, quality of the service and the equipment. While Kilimanjaro is technically easy to climb—after all, you won’t need ropes or any special mountaineering gear—it’s not a mountain like any other. It’s tough and you and your tour group should be prepared for anything.
2. The Gear
In the same way that you won’t have to spend on specialized mountaineering gear, you also won’t have to buy gear that cost an arm and a leg. You can rent whatever else you don’t need. But invest in a good pair of hiking boots. This way, you won’t have to risk blisters in case the rental ones don’t fit so good halfway through the climb. Also, don’t wear cotton. It doesn’t dry at high altitudes.
3. The Route
You don’t have to go with the steepest route. Go for the one that’s more comfortable with your physical stamina. Sure, the views will be great but if you ascend too quickly, you might end up getting Altitude sickness, which would definitely put the kibosh on your dream climb. Also, for more chances of beating altitude sickness, the longer the climb package you choose, the more chances you give your body to acclimatize, reducing the risk of altitude sickness.
4. The Pace
Don’t wear yourself out early on. Find a pace that’s comfortable for you. Go slow. While getting to the top is the main goal, take the time to enjoy your surroundings. From the forest to the dry savannah to the snow-capped landscape, few places on earth offer that kind of wonder. Enjoy it.
5. The Altitude
Have a touch of the headache? Feeling nauseous and unsteady? If you’re not hangover, you might be coming down with altitude sickness. One way to counter this is to take altitude sickness medication like Diamox on your Mount Kilimanjaro climb. The medication helps your body acclimatize faster. Just make sure to talk to your doctor before you use it.
6. The Experience
Finally, soak up the experience. Take lots of photos or keep a travel journal. And make sure you’ve got a pocket-friendly camera. You won’t have time to dig around in your bag every time you see an amazing shot. So put it somewhere you have easy access to it. Enjoy and good luck!
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