How to climb kilimanjaro by ram_man

"What an experience. I loved every minute & every step I took. "

How I did it: Took the Machame route over 8 days, 7 days is the recommended time for this route, any shorther and you'll be significantly reducing your chances of completing it.  We opted fo 8 days because we camped at crater camp, well worth doing as you get a look into the volcano and get close to the galciers which are rapidly melting away. The other plus point we didn't have to start at midnight for the 8 hour slogg for summit day.

Lessons & tips:

Train and prepare for it other wise don't bother doing

it!

Depending on the route you chose and the time frame,

you could land up walking in excess of 8 hours in a day.  so train by doing some long walks.  

Before the climb, give up the alcohol at least a month or so before. I gave up for 3 months. Our friend who's profession is a coach and fairly fit continued to drink up to a day before the climb and really suffered. 

Watch out for AMS, Diamox is the magic pill people

recommend, but if you can avoid taking do so. I took vit E supplements, floradix and Ginko, to help aid blood

circulation before and after the climb. I also drank sage tea at meal times rather than the regular stuff.  

And make sure you drink plenty and eat plenty even if you don't feel like it.  You will sweet and will need to replace fluids, you'll need between 4-5 lires of water per day.  Food gives you energy, so keep the fuel tank topped up.

Make sure clothes are water proof, we had rain every day a some point, ranging from half an hour to 6 hours.  Use layers when walking and when you stop keep warm and put on a down jacket.  


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Jul 01, 2009, 03:40AM PDT | 0 comments | 1 cheer


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