Mount Kilimanjaro

perhaps spring in 2009

http://www.mtkilimanjarologue.com/

Kilimanjaro provides the opportunity to reach the highest point on the African continent without mountaineering skills. Anyone that is in good shape and willing to train a little beforehand will enjoy a wonderful challenge, and relish the sense of accomplishment when standing at Uhuru peak, gazing down upon all of Africa below you. I recommend and encourage everyone to experience this as soon as they can.

Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, the highest ‘walkable’ mountain in the world, a magnificent and spectacular undertaking.

We are the leading provider of high quality treks on the Kilimanjaro, with over 15,000 past customers, a summit success rate of 87% and an exemplary safety record. Find out more in the details pages for each route.

Trekkers absolutely confident in their fitness and willing to spend longer on the mountain to increase the chances of summit success should start by taking a look at the Shira route.

Trekkers who are less than absolutely confident about their fitness, or who are pressed for time should start with the Rongai route.

http://www.africatravelresource.com/T1/africa/tanzania/ne/kili/0/intro/?gclid=CKXOyJunkJECFRJqIgodaRlnHQ

One of the most amazing places I have ever been. The hike was amazing but sliding down the volcanic ash on the way down was unforgettable (ruined my white northface jacket, but totally worth it).

I would recommend taking the time to explore the day camps, take side hikes, learn about the different plants/trees (some seriously look like they are out of a Dr. Seuss book!) even if you are exhausted.

But its worth it. Beautiful climb which is not difficult technically. But the altitude is making it serious business! I went up there as tourleader of a group of 15 tourists. A 7 day climb on the Marangu trail. This means camping. This means a lot of stuff to carry up. This meant a group of 46 porters and guides to assist us! Including me, 13 people made it up to the top. But some of them remember very little of it… only total fatigue.
I remained very fit and only dead tired after we returned to the real world.
Wonderful experience, but I was a little upset by the enormous amount of tourists going up there (and the army of porters that followed). Good thing about it is that we tourists provide a solid contribution to the economy. Not to the ecology, although they are pretty strict on waste disposal and littering. Thank God!
It’s a sort of mass-tourism, and that does not coinside with the idea of hiking in nature.
My suggestion: if you go there, also spend a lot of time in other regions: Tanzania is more than the Kili!

I want to see the highest mountain….......have fun!

I did it! On January 23rd, 7:31am, I stood at Uhuru Peak! Check out the trip notes on www.haslimeier.org/kili.html – well worth the pain!

The glaciers on Kilimanjaro are going to be gone “in the next two to five decades” according to this article: http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/12/18/african.glaciers.ap/index.html

So maybe I should go soon. Summer 2008 anyone?

I was really young .. like 6 or 7 … went with my parents … even though I was young I still thought it was amazing…didn’t climb the entire mountain though (only 1/2) .. if you’re looking for something life-changing this might be it …