It’s recommended that climbers drink four to five liters of water daily when climbing Kilimanjaro. This high intake helps with acclimatization. The side effect of drinking so much and taking Diamox is that you will have to pee – A LOT. It…
You probably think you are wearing the correct size shoes for your feet. But statistics say you’re probably wrong. A study of more than 2,000 adults showed that one third of men are wearing shoes that do not properly fit them. The…
Which type of footwear is best for climbing Kilimanjaro? When people think of a mountain expedition, they naturally think they need some big, clunky boots to tackle the harsh weather. However, technology has come a long way. Nowadays, boots have become much…
We have updated our Kilimanjaro gear list. In our ongoing effort to have the most useful and accurate information on climbing Kilimanjaro, we have made several changes to the Ultimate Kilimanjaro® Gear List. These edits were prompted by discussions with our seasoned…
Summit night on Mount Kilimanjaro brings excitement along with anxiety for most people. The thought of ascending to 19,341 feet during the night in freezing temperatures is daunting. In a previous article, we discussed 10 tips that make summit night easier. This…
Alcohol consumption is widespread. Over half the world’s population, about 2.5 billion people, drink alcohol. At sea level, moderate drinking is usually tolerated, but at altitude the same amount can impair acclimatization and increase health risks. How the Body Adapts to Altitude…
When people hear the phrase “climbing Kilimanjaro,” they typically picture technical mountaineering. That is, they imagine ice axes in hand, crampons on boots, ropes tied to harnesses, and people hanging on vertical rock and ice. This picture is wrong. Though Mount Kilimanjaro…
Mountaineering’s legitimacy as a “sport” is often questioned. Unlike conventional sports, which are played in controlled areas, mountaineering takes place in the wilderness, where storms, avalanches, and rockfall occur. To some, the battle between humans and untamed environments represents courage, strength, and…
Both cannabis (marijuana) and CBD are illegal in Tanzania. If you are considering bringing cannabis products – flower (buds), concentrates, edibles, tinctures, topicals – on your trip, DON’T DO IT! Tanzania enforces a zero-tolerance policy toward drugs. The Drug Control and Enforcement Act criminalizes possession, use,…
Climbing Kilimanjaro requires serious gear. You could face a wide range of conditions, from warm days to cold nights and everything in between. Therefore, you need to be properly equipped on the mountain. Although we provide a complete gear list and thoroughly…
Climbing Kilimanjaro changes people. It opens a door. For many, it’s the first taste of real adventure. Standing at the summit proves they can accomplish hard things. After the success, they look for more challenges and ask the question: what’s next? There…
Yes. Mount Kilimanjaro is a volcano. Specifically, it is a stratovolcano, also known as a composite volcano. A stratovolcano is a classic, cone-shaped type of volcano. It’s built from multiple layers of hardened lava, volcanic ash, and rock. Stratovolcanoes typically erupt explosively…
We often say that anyone with a reasonable degree of fitness can climb Kilimanjaro. This applies to people who are in their 50’s, 60’s, or even older. Anne Lorimor is the world record holder for the oldest person to climb Kilimanjaro. She…
To climb Kilimanjaro, a heavy down jacket is mandatory. Summit night can be dark, extremely windy and brutally cold. While temperatures may be mild, perhaps 20°F to 30°F (-7°C to -1°C), you should be prepared for much harsher conditions. We have had…
I recently participated in a seven-day, 155-mile (250 km) ultramarathon called the Atacama Crossing (organized by RacingThePlanet). The race took place in the Atacama Desert of Chile, the driest non-polar desert in the world, located between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes…
Africa has the most named deserts of any continent, containing at least ten distinct deserts. These deserts cover about one third of the continent’s land area and come in many forms. From scorching sand seas to salt flats, they define much of…
