ALTITUDE SICKNESS GUIDE FOR KILIMANJARO TREKS

The general impression is that a climbing tour of Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania is an easy mountaineering option, since the 5895 meter mountain has been successfully climbed by hardy children and by octogenarians. It is not. It is a perilous undertaking for a number of reasons and must not be underestimated. A trekking voyage on Kilimanjaro, whilst it does not demand technical mountaineering skills nor special equipment, is a demanding African vacation challenge which must not be undertaken without due preparation.

You will be traversing several climate zones, from tropical forest with muddy, slippery paths, to steep, boulder-strewn natural stairways, with searing sun on shelterless heathland, freezing alpine nights, vertiginous rock wall ascents, loose stones, unstable scree, blinding snowfields and arctic glaciers.



On lower slopes especially on Rongai Route, there are aggressive buffalo. Elusive leopard and mighty elephant have been seen on alpine slopes. Scorpions and snakes are not so rare. But none of these things account for the number of 0.1% deaths on the mountain. Acute Mountain Sickness, AMS, also acknowledged as altitude sickness, is the killer. One person in every thousand dies on the mountain, including support staff and porters. Most are rescued alive and more than half of all the climbers on Kili need to turn back before reaching the summit. Most deaths are preventable.

Adequate warm clothing and strong, safe shelters are ultra-necessary. Plenty of water and a high-calorie diet are super-essential. Avoid over-exertion and exhaustion. Go “Pole, pole”, slowly and carefully. Wear sunglasses and protect your skin. Most important of all, acclimatize slowly to changes in altitude.

Climbing too high, too fast, causes a deficiency of oxygen in the blood which leads to potentially life- threatening changes in brain and lung tissue which can be avoided if ascent is slower. Make a point of hiking higher during the day and sleeping lower at night. Be sure you are at your peak of fitness. Preferably prepare by ascending lower, gentler Mount Meru a few days before you attempt the Mount Kilimanjaro climbing challenge.



Kilimanjaro National Parks Authority, (KINAPA) have overall responsibility for safety and rescue on Mt. Kilimanjaro. They have ranger and rescue posts on major trails. Their approval and permission must be obtained for every proposed route and trail variation, every tour operator on the mountain, and every member of support staff. A nominal rescue premium is included in your tariff, but we highly recommend you get travel insurance that covers mountain evacuation at 5895 meters - 19340 feet altitude.

Uhuru Trails by AfricanMecca ensures that their staff are well-trained, highly experienced and well-equipped, and that their clients are given the best of advice, support, guidance and care. Each trekker has their own personal support guide and each team is led by an experienced head leader guide, trained to ensure the health, safety and success of his or her charges.

Review Below The Complete Guide On High Altitude Sickness For Your Kilimanjaro Climb

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