In  a press release issued yesterday, we released the results of our year-long Kilimanjaro Climb Survey conducted among independent travelers, hikers and mountaineers.  Over 100 respondents participated in the survey, offering valuable insight into various aspects of climbing Kilimanjaro to prospective adventurers.

Demographically, male climbers outnumbered female climbers by 2 to 1, and the ages ranged from under 18 to 70 years old.  A third of climbers were between 31 and 40 years old and a third were between 41 and 50 years old.  July proved to be the most popular month for climbing Kilimanjaro among respondents, followed by August and October.  These popular months are excellent times to climb due to low precipitation and good visibility.

In preparation for their climb, 35% of respondents hiked as their primary form of training, which is the best exercise.  The median frequency of training was three times per week over a three month period.  Kilimanjaro can be successfully climbed by any reasonably fit person.

The survey revealed that the route of choice was Machame for 45% of respondents.  Machame, also known as the “Whiskey Route”, is the most popular route on the mountain, with Marangu, the “Coca Cola Route,” coming in at a close second.  Climbers using these trails can expect to encounter high traffic on their journey to the summit.  Only 14% and 11% of climbers used Lemosho and Rongai, respectively.  Ultimate Kilimanjaro uses the less frequented routes for its group climbs as ideal alternatives to avoid the crowds.  

The biggest obstacle in successfully climbing Kilimanjaro is the extreme altitude.  Kilimanjaro is 19,340 feet high.  The low oxygen content commonly causes differing degrees of altitude sickness among climbers.  The respondents’ susceptibility to altitude sickness was consistent with published figures - 82% of climbers experienced at least one symptom of mild altitude sickness.  

On Mount Kilimanjaro, summit day includes a strenuous 4,000 foot climb to the peak, beginning at midnight, in subzero degree weather, followed by a 9,000 foot descent.  55% of respondents identified summit day, which consists of 10 to 14 hours of trekking, as very tough.  Other cited difficulties included altitude acclimatization (34%), lack of sleep (17%) and foul weather (10%).  On a scale of 1 to 10, the most common rating for the climb difficulty was a 7.

Respondents overwhelmingly noted that their trip on Kilimanjaro was a very positive experience.  More than 50% of the climbers rated their experience as 10 out of 10, meaning that regardless of all other measured variables - how old they were, when they climbed, what route they chose, how many days they took, and whether or not they reached the summit, they had a great time.

Yes- the summit of Mount Meru is almost 15,000 feet high.  If you climb Meru, you can, with one day or no days in between, climb Kilimanjaro thereafter with a lower number of days (5 or 6) because you will have had exposure to approximately the highest altitude where you will camp on Kilimanjaro (Kibo Hut and Barafu are about 15,500 feet high).

However, do not be too aggressive on either trek.  To do Meru and a challenging Kilimanjaro climb back to back may put too much stress on your body.  And strenuous activity increases the likelihood of altitude sickness. So while the Meru/Kilimanjaro climb combination can increase the probability of summit success over a lengthy Kilimanjaro climb alone, it can also decrease it.  The success of this schedule depends on how strong of a hiker you are.

All nine members of the Red Nose Climb made it to the summit today.  Although nearly all climbers experienced some form of altitude sickness or minor injuries during the climb, they each made the gruelling ascent in the cold, windy mountain air and reached Uhuru Point before sunrise.  They are currently at Millenium camp, and will be off the mountain tomorrow.  The climbers used the 8-day Lemosho route.

They have a raised over 1,500,000 GBP for Comic Relief, a British charity organization. 

A band of nine UK celebrities are climbing Kilimanjaro in a charity climb, known as the BT Red Nose Climb for Comic Relief (Comic Relief is a British charity organization).  The goal of this trek is to raise money to help  the people of Africa combat malaria.  Malaria is the leading killer of children in Tanzania.  Donations will be used to train rural health workers, for early treatment of malaria, and to supply mosquito bed nets. So far the team has raised 800,000 GBP.

To sponsor the BT Red Nose team, visit:  http://www.rednoseday.com/climb/sponsor/the_team

The celebrities on the mountain are:  Alesha Dixon, Ben Shepard, Cheryl Cole, Chris Moyles, Denise Van Outen, Fearne Cotton, Gary Barlow, Kimberley Walsh, Ronan Keating.

The group is using the Lemosho route.  Today’s reports indicate they passed the Shira Cathedral and are staying at Lava Tower.   It is their fourth day on the mountain.

Swahili and English are the main languages spoken in Tanzania.  Here are some useful phrases: