Kilimanjaro

Intro

Kilimanjaro is the highest free-standing mountain in the world, with the white-capped Uhuru Peak standing way above the landscape. In 1889, Hans Meyer, Ludwig Purtscheller and Yohanas Kinyala Lauwo were the first to ascend this African peak. It is believed by some that the name is a combination of the Swahili word kilima (mountain) and the Kichagga word njaro (whiteness), hence ‘white mountain’.

Our 10-day trek consists of a slow climb through the major climactic conditions found on Earth, from African savannah, through tropical rain forest and tundra, to top out in snow and ice. This is one of those climbs that everybody should do at least once in their lifetime. You will be forever changed by the experience.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania, transfer to hotel and expedition briefing.

Day 2: Half-day tour around Marangu Village and climb preparations in the afternoon.

Day 3: We drive to Umbwe Gate (1800 metres), meet the porters and climb up through the rain forest to Umbwe Cave.

Day 4: Climb to Barranco Camp (3950 metres) situated beneath the Western Breach Wall.

Day 5: Rest day.

Day 6: Climb up to Arrow Glacier Camp (4850 metres) for further acclimatisation and return to Barranco Camp.

Day 7: Pack up and move to Karanga Valley Camp (3950 metres).

Day 8: Move up to Barafu Camp (4950 metres) to rest and prepare for the summit push.

Day 9: Summit Day
Summit Kilimanjaro (5895 metres) and savour the breathtaking views. Head down to the Mweka High Camp (3800 metres).

Day 10: Descend through the rain forest to Mweka Gate and return to the hotel for our celebration meal.

Day 11: International transfers back home.

Equipment

• 1 Large duffel Bag – Preferably water repellent and with locks
• 1 Medium sized backpack
• 1 Sleeping bag rated to at least -15 degrees celcius
• Sleeping bag inner with stuff pack
• Thermarest sleeping pad or a good closed-cell foam pad
• Blow up cushion or small pillow
• 1 Pair of good walking boots
• 1 Gortex jacket
• 1 Pair gortex longs
• 1 Warm down or syntheetic jacket
• 1 Pair of mitts
• 1Pair or polartec gloves
• 1 Head torch with new batteries
• 1 Pair trekking longs
• 2 Trekking shirts
• 1 Pair of running shoes
• 1 Pair thermal underwear
• 1 Pair of fleece trousers
• 1 Fleece sweater or jacket
• 4 Large plastic bags
• 3 Pairs or undies
• 3 Pairs or warm socks
• 3 Pairs or sock liners
• 1 Fleece or wool hat
• 1 Balaclava
• 1 Beanie
• 1 Sun hat or cap
• 1 Bandana, buff or scarf
• Sunglasses
• 2 Nalgene water bottles with insulated covers
• 1 Small flask for summit day
• 1 Pair or gaiters
• 1 Set of trekking skit poles
• 1 Pocket knife or leatherman
• Sunscreen and lip screen/gel
• Water purifying tablets
• Toilet paper – in case
• Personal first aid items
• Camera Gear
• Personal snacks
• Pee bottle / funnel
• Clothes for travelling and a bag with lock
• Personal toiletries while on the mountain
• Baby wipes
• Your passport and 2 passport photos
• Pen
• Photocopy of the first 2 pages of your passport
• Yellow fever injection
• Ipod or Mp3 Player
• US Dollars

 Preparation

This training information is intended as a guideline and should be used as such.  If you are unsure about anything, please communicate with me individually, but most important of all, before you embark on any exercise program, please consult your doctor or exercise physiologist to make sure that you are ready for the increased work load.  A focused training program should begin 3 – 4 months before the expedition, but working on your base fitness before that is important as it lays a good foundation for the harder work that will follow.

Physical Conditioning

Climbing big mountains requires cardiovascular endurance (via aerobic training), strength endurance (through strength conditioning) and climbing-specific training (i.e. hiking with a pack).  Being in strong physical shape is one of the most important aspects for a successful climb of Kilimanjaro.  During your training, you should be planning to progressively increase your aerobic training and speed of weekly training hikes to give you climbing-specific conditioning that cannot be matched by any other sort of training.

Cardiovascular Conditioning

Suggested activities include running, cycling, mountain biking, swimming, walking on an inclined treadmill, doing stair stepping or step mill training, trail running, walking up and down hills or participating in step aerobics classes.  When first beginning a cardiovascular training program, begin with three workouts (i.e,. Monday, Wednesday and Friday) of 30 minutes of sustained activity at a moderate intensity, and build up to 4-5 aerobic sessions of sustained effort for at least 45 – 60 minutes (taking Wednesday and Sunday as rest days, for example).

Be sure to include a 5-10 minute gentle warm-up before working at your target heart rate for the day.  For most workouts, choose a level of exertion that allows you to connect a few words together in a phrase, but leaves you feeling comfortably tired at the end of the workout.  Remember to cool down with 5-10 minutes of appropriate stretching of the muscles you use most in your activity, including lower back, calves, hamstrings, hips and quadriceps.

Strength Conditioning

Training with weights, backpacks and gym machines will help you build overall strength, particularly in the lower back, abdominals, upper back, shoulders and legs.  Developing strength in your upper back and shoulders will help with carrying a pack and using trekking poles.  The calves, hips, quads, hamstrings and glutes are all involved in ascending and descending steep sections and scree slopes, which will be encountered on a climb of Kilimanjaro.

Before embarking on any weight training, please consult with a qualified gym instructor so that you are well briefed in terms of using the equipment.  Most important in strength training is to be sure that you maintain proper form at all times in order to prevent injury or strain.

Climbing Conditioning

This involves hiking steep outdoor trails, going up and down stairs or training on an inclined treadmill.  In the months leading up to the expedition, it would be important to do some long walks in the mountains.

Remember: All of your training is geared towards giving you the strength and endurance to summit the highest freestanding mountain in the world and the highest mountain on the African Continent.

Our next scheduled trips:

11 March to 21 March 2011 – Summit under a full moon.
Sirdar: 26 June to 6 July 2011
Kilimanjaro : 14 – 24 August 2011
2 November to 12 November 2011 – Summit under a full moon.

Rates

Rates on Request

Payment Terms, Refunds and Cancellation Policy

A 20% deposit is payable at the time of registering for your expedition. The remaining balance must be paid 90 days prior to the departure date. In the event of a cancellation a full refund, less a handling fee of US$100.00 will be provided if cancelled 90 days prior to departure. A 50% refund will be provided if cancelled 45 to 89 days prior to departure. No refunds will be provided if cancelled 44 days prior to departure. Adventures Global reserves the right to waive any fees. As we offer a personalised service, we will always attempt to accommodate changes and cancellations when necessary and waiving of certain fees when feasible.

Trip Cancellation

Adventures Global reserves the right to cancel any of our trips for any reason whatsoever, prior to the start of a trip. In the extremely unlikely event that one of our trips is cancelled, a full refund of the payments received from you will be released. Adventures Global is not responsible for any additional expenses incurred as a result of a cancellation (e.g. non refundable airline tickets, visa fees, etc) You will however have the option of choosing an alternative trip of equal or higher monetary value.