When
someone proposes for a mountaineering trip to Africa or Tanzania especially ,
images of Kilimanjaro raise in mind. With its peak at an astounding height of
5,895 meters above water level , it's the very best mountain in Africa, also
called "The Roof Of Africa". It rises approximately 4,900 meters from
its base, and its ascent is at the highest of the priority list for several
adventurers. But most first-timers are generally unaware of what to expect or what
it the trekking journey is all about at the top of the day.
To
give you an unbiased real sense of what you will be facing up there, here's a
comprehensive mini guide for you on Climbing Kilimanjaro .
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Geology
Kilimanjaro
may be a huge stratovolcano that has three distinguishable volcanic cones. The
three are Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, Kibo being the very best . Uhuru Peak on
Kibo at a height of 5,895 meters is that the highest point in Africa and
therefore the point where most trekkers aspire to be. While the inside of the
cones is quite poorly known thanks to lack of abrasion , the outer side of the
cones is rocky covered with snow. it's mainly composed of the layers of
solidified lava with some pyroclastic rocks which are common in volcanic areas.
Continuous eruption many years ago buried most older geological features with
the exception of the stratum, which may be a layer of rock .
•
Weather
The
weather in Kilimanjaro is essentially influenced by the peak of the mountain,
equatorial trade, and anti-trade winds. Upslope and downslope winds are common
within the mountain and you will constantly be bombarded by them regardless of
where you're , southern being stronger than the northern part. There are two
distinct rainy seasons. One is from March to May, the opposite being in or
around November. The lower reaches of the southern slope receive more rainfall
than the northern zones and thus are lush in nature. aside from the season ,
the climate usually remains dry.
One
thing that's interesting is there are five climatic zones you'll encounter as
you traverse to the highest . These are bushland, rainweald, Heath and
Moorland, Highland Barrens, and IceCaps. The order is from low to high,
bushland being rock bottom and ice caps being the very best reaches.
•
Who Can Climb Kili
Anyone.
there's no restriction on who can and who cannot. People as young as 8 years
old and as old as 88 years old have the history of climbing Kili. the sole
requirement (not by law, but rather for success) are proper acclimatization
(more thereon within the next point) and A level of fitness .
•
Mountain/Altitude Sickness
The
primary reason for the failure of most trekkers, hypoxia is that the physical
distress caused by. within the medical profession , it's called Acute altitude
sickness (AMS). Symptoms may range from a light headache to severity of
shortness of breath. albeit the mildest difficulties last for few hours, you
can't afford to urge into any sort of ailing when you're up there. the simplest
thanks to get yourself properly acclimatized is trek at the lower reaches or
another mountain at much lower height for few days before your Kilimanjaro
Climbing. this may give ample time to your body to regulate itself to the
changing altitudes.
•
Routes
There
are seven different routes to succeed in the highest . These are Machame,
Umbwe, Shira, Lemosho, Marangu, and Rongai. All of the routes are incredible in
themselves and have their own pros and cons. the choice on which one to trek
through is solely yours but must be made taking variety of things into
consideration. These include:
•
ability and fitness level.
•
Hiking/mountaineering skill.
•
Comfort level.
•
What you would like to ascertain on the routes.
There
is another route in Kilimanjaro, The Mweka, but it's only used for descending
purposes.
•
Game Viewing
If
you think that Kilimanjaro is all about snow and trekking, then you're
mistaken. As mentioned earlier, the enormous Kilimanjaro has seven different
climatic zones and therefore the lowest one is bushland. within the bushlands,
you'll encounter many wildlife species which are a part of the Kilimanjaro park
. This park includes the entire of Kilimanjaro and encompasses a neighborhood
of 1,688 sq km. the sport viewing at the foot of the mountain includes
elephants, buffalos, leopards, colobus monkeys, bushbucks, and zebras among
other animals.
•
Dangers and Risks
With
such a towering height and harsh climate, it can't be the very fact that the
trekking journey are going to be risk-free. Acute altitude sickness or AMS, as
previously mentioned, is one among them and is perhaps the most important risk
with 77% mountaineers experiencing it in their journey. But there are a couple
of more which as a responsible tour company we should always allow you to know
beforehand.
•
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), a more severe sort of AMS.
•
Fall from steep slopes.
•
Health hazards thanks to improper disposal of body waste .
But
the risks are minimal, or rather non-existent with proper security
undertakings. Strictest safety measures are employed by us and other tour
companies, and therefore the well being of trekkers are prioritized over
anything .
•
Standing On Top of Kilimanjaro
The
view from the highest of Kilimanjaro or Uhuru Peak are often summed up in only
one phrase: "Never seen before." Clouds, birds, animals, everybody
are going to be below you, and you will be ready to see through a birds-eye
view into the far-off land. It's tough, but once you make it to the highest ,
the scenery rewards you for each little bit of it. Whichever of the seven
routes you opt to require , climbing Kili is a fantastic experience
nevertheless.
In
the folklore, it's said that the volcanic cones of Kibo and Mawenzi were once
good neighbors until Mawenzi pranked on Kibo and got beaten up for it, which is
that the most unacceptable way explains the degraded environment of Mawenzi
with little to no snow. As hilarious and baffling the story may sound, Climbing
Kilimanjaro is equally fun and amusing.
We,
at Vencha Travel, are working with experienced certified guides and potters for
our Kilimanjaro Climbing. This not only increases your chances of getting to
the highest but also keeps you informed of everything right along the way.
Contact us today for booking hiking and trekking tours to Kilimanjaro.
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