Mt Kenya, Kilimanjaro & Mt Meru Climb FAQ'S, Climbing Tips, Mt Kilimanjaro climbing Routes, Mt Kenya Climbing advice
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Mt Kenya, Kilimanjaro & Mt Meru Climb FAQ'S, Climbing Tips, Mt Kilimanjaro climbing Routes, Mt Kenya Climbing advice
Mountain Climbing FAQ's
Which are the best months to
trek Mt Kilimanjaro/Kenya?
Absolutely, the best months for climbing are January, February and
September since they are the warmest months and almost clear of clouds.
Though one could easily succeed throughout the year, April and early May
could get heavy rain or snow, but is good if you want a quiet clear
mountain. Also, its better in June through August (though colder) and
November/December (could be wetter) though September and October it gets
steadily warmer. October is particularly good if you want little or no rain
- mild weather and few people on the mountain. January through to March are
the warmest months - almost clear of clouds safe for a few brief rain
showers followed by the main rainy season during April & May. The
temperatures will still be warm but massive clouds will block visibility
while dropping snow on the summit and heavy rain on the lower slopes.
Does an extra day help
acclimatization?
Most guidebooks recommend that climbers spend an extra day during the
Marangu route climb especially. This is much a personal decision, but our
statistics does not indicate any greater success rate amongst 6 day Marangu
route climbers over 5 day climbers. More important for success is the
overall approach to the climb, right from the start. That said, many people
like an extra day spent on the ascent because it makes the whole climb more
relaxed and gives an opportunity to go on some pleasant walks.
If there is any problem on the mountain? what are the rescue procedures?
The national park operates a rescue service, and the huts on the Marangu
route are linked to each other and to the park headquarters by radio. In the
vast majority of emergency cases, the problem is altitude related and the
solution is immediate descent to a lower altitude. Our mountain crew are all
experienced at dealing with such cases and can bring climbers down to safe
altitudes very quickly and without park assistance if it is not immediately
available.
Is it possible to rent mountain equipment from us?
We have a large stock of equipment. This is primarily for the free use of
our fully equipped climbers but we also make equipment available for hire to
climbers where necessary. Anyway, we encourage climbers to bring as much of
their own warm clothing as possible. In particular, climbers should avoid
having to hire or borrow boots.
Is the success rate on Kilimanjaro less than thirty percent?
Some people climb Kilimanjaro without knowing what they are letting
themselves in for. Consequently they may be inadequately equipped and fed,
and they then have a miserable and unsuccessful time. We make sure that you
are properly informed and equipped, our success rate to the crater rim is
90%. Our success rate to Uhuru peak is 85%. However, we always stress that
the main reason to climb Kilimanjaro is to have a safe and enjoyable time.
Reaching the summit is a bonus, but should never be seen as the sole aim of
the climb.
How cold does it get on Kilimanjaro?
The temperature at the top of the mountain can vary widely. Sometimes it is
only a degree or two below freezing, but visitors should be prepared for
possible temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius, especially in
conjunction with wind.
What should I know about altitude sickness?
There are different types of altitude sickness. "Acute mountain sickness" is
very common, and is not as frightening as its name suggests. The symptoms
are headaches, nausea and vomiting, though not everyone suffers from all the
symptoms. Normally, symptoms fade after a few hours, but if they do not a
climber may need to turn back, especially if vomiting is leading to
dehydration. Any enjoyment to be had from the climb will have disappeared by
now anyway.
A much more serious type of altitude sickness is called oedema. This is a
build-up of fluid in the body, and when the fluid collects in the lungs or
the brain a serious condition develops which requires immediate action in
the form of descent to a lower altitude, where recovery is usually
miraculously fast.
In most cases AMS can be avoided by following guidelines: drink lots of
water, walk slowly, stay warm, eat well. We recommend that you familiarise
yourself with the various affects that altitude can cause.
During your pre-climb briefing, we describe altitude sickness to you in
detail, and advise you how to cope with it. The most important thing is not
to fear it, but to respect it and to know how to deal with it. Our guides
have seen every condition that the mountain produces, and they will always
know how to deal with problems.
How is cooking done on the mountain?
We use modern Kerosene stoves. These are very efficient (about 90% of the
efficiency of gas, which is not always available here) and reliable. You can
also feel satisfied that no firewood is being used which might damage the
ecology of the mountain.
What about tipping of guides and porters?
Tips are discretionary but obviously, it is expected. We recommend tipping
guideline as follows:
- Senior guide: US$20-30 per day
- Junior guide/Cook: US$10 per day
- Porter: US$5 per day
What medicines/toiletries do we require?
a) Mosquito sprays and creams
Not very useful on the mountain itself. But when you get back down again it
is useful to have some protection against the Anopheles mosquito. We
recommend Autan.
b) Malaria prevention
Please consult your doctor regarding malaria prophylaxis.
c) Headache pills
paracet pills will help you in case of headaches.
d) Cold & Flu
Diamox can be used to prevent Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Please try them
first to see if you don't get too many side effects.
e) Sun cream
we recommend creams with SPF 30, as the sun near the equator is very strong.
Don’t forget to have something to protect your lips as well.
f) Personal medical supplies (optional):
As your tour leaders, we will carry a group medical kit.
g) Personal Items & Toiletries
Toothpaste & tooth brush, body lotion, toilet paper and other personal
hygiene items.
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Mt Kenya, Kilimanjaro & Mt Meru Climb FAQ'S, Climbing Tips, Mt Kilimanjaro
climbing Routes, Mt Kenya Climbing advice.
P.O. Box 51322 - 00200, Nairobi,
Kenya. Website:
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Mount Kilimanjaro from the air. July 2007. An ascent of Mawenzi
requires rock climbing and/or snow/ice climbing skills. The climb to
Uhuru Peak is considered to be a relatively straightforward endeavour;
however, ample time must still be provided for proper acclimatization
to prevent altitude sickness. The three shortest routes, Marangu,
Rongai and Machame can be climbed by a person of good health and
limited mountaineering experience. Many who climb employ
altitude-sickness medication and find this to be helpful in preventing
the pounding headaches that plague many travellers. Those who travel
on the Marangu route usually take four to five days to complete their
climb. Huts with cooking facilities, bathrooms, and electricity are
available at the end of each day's journey. The huts are Mandara,
Horombo and Kibo, located at approximately 2700m.a.sl., 3700m.a.s.l.
and 4,500m.a.s.l. respectively. All huts have rangers stationed at
them with rescue facilities (modified wheelbarrows to transport
climbers stricken with altitude sickness to lower altitudes).
The final part of the climb, from Kibo hut at 15,500 ft (4,720 m) to
the summit, is generally undertaken at night, because the scree is
frozen together, making the climb significantly easier. Gilman's
Point, on the rim of the crater but about a 1½ hour hike from Uhuru,
is attained at 5:00 - 6:00 am; those who have the strength to continue
may then hike on to Uhuru in the growing sunlight and rising
temperatures. Another route is the Western Breach, which is much more
technical in nature. Annually, approximately 15,000 people attempt to
climb the mountain, of whom 40% reach the summit.
The rapidly retreating Furtwängler Glacier is near the summit. At the
summit, there is a sign posted by the Tanzanian government. The sign
(printed in English only) reads "Congratulations! You are now at Uhuru
Peak, Tanzania, 5,895 m. AMSL. Africa's Highest Point. World's
Highest Free-Standing Mountain. One of World's Largest Volcanoes.
Welcome." The sign is covered in travel stickers from past trekkers
who have left their mark on the top of the peak. Near this famous sign
is a box containing a log that many climbers have signed. As of
January 2007 this box has either been removed or buried.
Due to the mountain's equatorial location as well as its high
elevation, climbers can experience almost every climate type on earth
during the journey to the top. It is also known to many for its year
round snow-topped summit.
The summit of Kilimanjaro is covered by a GSM mobile phone network,
provided by Vodacom. It lost its claim as the highest point in the
world with mobile phone service, as China Mobile now provides coverage
at the top of Mt. Everest, the highest point in the world.
Almost all nights on Kilimanjaro are clear. A pre-dawn start is very
important to avoid the debilitating effects of the sun and uv
radiation. To make the night ascents more pleasant and in some cases
beautiful, getting up and walking up by moonlight is the optimal
situation. As a rough guide a full moon rises at sunset and sets at
sunrise. This combined with strength of the moonlight provide
excellent conditions for walking at night. However as the moon sets
about 1 hour later every day. the best conditions are probably about 2
to 3 days after the full moon as then at about 5am the moon is still
big and quite high in the sky throughout the critical hours of the
ascent. If you plan your ascent before the full moon you might get up
by moonlight but it will set before first light.
Marangu: Very popular. Gentle gradients and long sections up to 4700m.
Beautiful forests and moorlands, comfortable but basic huts. The 6 day
variant provides good time for acclimatisation. 6 (-1) 64km
Umbwe: Shortest and steepest route, tough. Beautiful forest,
spectacular ridge, bad for acclimatisation, scenic traverse to Barafu,
camping. Dangerous route.
The missionary Johann Ludwig Krapf was the first European to report a
sighting of Mount Kenya, in 1849. The first recorded ascent of Mount
Kenya was made by Halford John Mackinder, Cesar Ollier and Josef
Brocherel on 13 September 1899. The highest point (Batian) is a
technical climb; the classic Diamond Couloir climbing route is a Grade
IV of about 20 pitches, up to YDS 5.9 in difficulty. Nelion was first
climbed by Eric Shipton in 1929, and Shipton and Bill Tilman completed
the traverse of the ridge between the two highest peaks. Point Lenana,
at 4,985 m (16,355 ft), can be reached by a hiking trail. Mount Kenya
is best climbed in January or February on the south side and August or
September on the north side.
Sirimon Route
This route starts 15 km (9 miles) east around the Mount Kenya Ring
Road from Nanyuki. The gate is 10 km (6 miles) further along the
track, which can be walked or driven by two-wheel drives.
The track climbs up through the forest. On the north side of the
mountain there is no bamboo zone, so the forest gradually turns into
moorland covered with giant heather. The track ends at Old Moses Hut
and becomes a path. This continues up the hill before splitting into
two routes. To the left, the least used path goes around the side of
the Barrow, to Liki North Hut. The vegetation becomes more sparse,
with giant lobelia and groundsels dotted around. The path climbs over
a ridge, before rejoining the main path ascending the Mackinder
Valley. Shipton's Cave can be found in the rock wall to the left of
the steep path just before reaching Shipton's Camp.
From Shipton's Camp, it is possible to ascend the ridge directly in
front of the camp to the site of Kami Hut, which no longer exists, or
follow the river up to Lower Simba Tarn and eventually to Simba Col.
These are both on the Peak Circuit Path
Naro Moru Route
This route is taken by many of the trekkers who try to reach Point
Lenana. It can be ascended in only 3 days and has bunkhouses at each
camp so a tent is not necessary. The terrain is usually good, although
one section is called the Vertical Bog.
The track starts in Naro Moru town and heads past the Park
Headquarters up the ridge between the Northern and Southern Naro Moru
Rivers. At the roadhead is the Meteorological Station, to which it is
possible to drive in the dry season. The route drops down into the
Northern Naro Moru Valley to Mackinder's Camp on the Peak Circuit
Path.
The Gorges Valley is a major feature on the Chogoria Route. This route
leads from Chogoria town up to the peaks circuit. The 32 km (20 miles)
from the forest gate to the park gate are often done by vehicle, but
it is also possible to walk. There is much wildlife in the forest,
with safari ant columns crossing the track, monkeys in the trees, and
the potential for seeing elephant, buffalo and leopard. The road is
not in good condition, and requires careful driving and walking. Near
the park gate the bamboo zone starts, with grasses growing to 12 m
high (40 ft).
Once in the park the track passes through rosewood forests, with
lichens hanging from the branches. At one point the path splits, with
the smaller track leading to a path up the nearby Mugi Hill and across
to Lake Ellis.
Top of large overhanging buttress overlooking Lake Michaelson, close
to Hall Tarns.Near the trackhead a small bridge crosses the Nithi
stream. Following the stream downriver a few hundred metres (yards)
leads to The Gates Waterfall. The path heads up a ridge above the
Gorges Valley, with views to the peaks, Lake Michaelson, The Temple,
and across the valley to Delamere and Macmillan Peaks. Hall Tarns are
situated right on the path and above a 200 m (700 ft) cliff directly
above Lake Michaelson.
As the path carries on it crosses the flat head of the Nithi River and
then the slope steepens. The path splits, heading west to Simba Col,
and south west to Square Tarn. These are both on the Peak Circuit
Route.
Mount Meru
Mount Meru is the topographic centerpiece of Arusha National Park. Its
fertile slopes rise above the surrounding savanna and support a forest
that hosts diverse wildlife, including nearly 400 species of birds,
and also monkeys and leopards.
