Trekking poles are an optional item when it comes to our gear list. However, trekking poles are very helpful when climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

The purpose of using poles is two fold. One, your weight is distributed between four points of contact instead of two, easing the stress on your bones and joints  Two, your poles assist in balance, reducing the wear on your stabilizer muscles.  Studies show that the use of trekking poles can reduce the impact on your joints as much as 30%.  And anyone who has used poles knows you save a significant amount of energy as well. 

Poles are most beneficial during uphill and downhill sections.  On the uphill, use your arm muscles to help you ascend.  On the downhill, use your poles to lessen the impact of each step. Most people are unfamiliar with using trekking poles unless they are backpackers who carry heavy loads.  But, it’s not difficult to learn how to use them, and it comes pretty quickly and naturally as your body figures out how to hike more efficiently.

Leki makes the best trekking poles.

Leki Thermolite Aergon Trekking Poles - Pair

In a climbing group, it is common that one or two people turn around on the mountain due to altitude sickness, exhaustion or a variety of other matters.  We often get asked what happens to the rest of the trekking party - specifically, whether they must also discontinue their climb.  Absolutely not! 

Each group will have a lead guide, a number of assistant guides depending on the party size, and lead porters - all of whom are able to escort climbers down.  Therefore, when a person cannot continue their ascent, one of the staff members will accompany this climber while the lead guide takes the group to the next destination.  The remaining party is unaffected and continues their climb as scheduled.

Earlier this year the Summit on the Summit team comprised of celebrities Jessica Biel, Emile Hirsch, Kenna, Lupe Fiasco, Santigold and others climbed Mount Kiliamanjaro raise awareness about the global clean-water crisis. MTV is airing a 90-minute documentary about the celebrities’ climb on March 14. 

The trailer is overly dramatic and exaggerates the conditions on the mountain, but should prove to be an entertaining film.  The cinematagraphy is appears amazing.

On January 12, Jessica Biel along with fellow celebrities on the Summit on the Summit team, climbed to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Point.  Each member reached the top successfully. 

Temperatures were reportedly in the single digits during the final ascent, which is not uncommon on the upper slopes of the mountain during nightime.  The team also had to endure low visibility as snowy conditions. 

Jessica Biel and the rest of the Summit on the Summit team began their climb up Mount Kilimanjaro on Thursday, January 7th.  The team is climbing Kilimanjaro to raise awareness for the global clean water crisis.

The website is sparse on details, but it appears that the group is ascending via a variation of the 7 day Shira route.  They were at Moir Hut on day 3 and are currently at Barranco Camp on day 4.