As it’s the highest freestanding mountain on the planet, climbing Kilimanjaro has become somewhat of an ambition for thousand of people all over the world. There have been many television programs made where celebrities have taken the challenge and completed the jaunt themselves, which suggests that it’s not quite as difficult as it once was. Thanks to advancements in technology and dedicated rescue teams the risk involved is as minimal as it can be, meaning anyone should be able to reach the summit in only a few days.
Still, you’ll need to engage in some serious preparation if this is something that interests you, and that can often put people off, but at the end of the day, anything that’s worth doing is worth doing well. So, if you think this is something you’d like to try, then take a few moments to read through the following paragraphs, and I’ll do my utmost to explain everything you need to know about booking the trip and staying safe whilst you’re in Africa.
Finding The Right Climbing Boots
Which brand you choose to buy will depend heavily on your own personal preferences, but it’s vital that you don’t opt for the cheapest solutions. Mountain climbing boots are the single most important element to any climb, so it’s vital that you make sure yours are up to the job. Also, it’s never a good idea to take a brand new pair without first breaking them in, and so it’s probably a good idea to go on some mini hiking trips around the UK before committing to Kilimanjaro. Picking up some thick insoles will also be beneficial because your feet are going to take quite a pounding.
Avoiding Altitude Sickness
Whether you’re doing this for your own personal satisfaction or even if you’re one of the people who plans to climb Kilimanjaro for charity, making sure you’ve got some drugs like Diamox in your backpack will make all the difference. You see; most of us have bodies that weren’t designed to venture to this kind of height, and so the thinness of the air can make some people tired and unwell – those drugs combat this and help you to reach the top without killing yourself.
Taking Some Entertainment
You’ll need to travel very light to avoid having to work any harder than is essential, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take some entertainment along for the trek. At most, you’ll be climbing for around 10 hours each day, and that leaves a lot of time for twiddling your thumbs once you’ve set a tent up for the night. Playing cards are usually the best option as they’re lightweight and have numerous applications. You won’t find any of the guides telling you this, but taking a pack could make the experience all the more enjoyable.
Above all else, it’s important that you keep your wits and act sensible when climbing something of this size, because if anything goes wrong and you obtain an injury it could mean the end of your trip, which will undoubtedly leave you disheartened.
You can do it guys, I believe in you!
