If 2013 is going to be your year to do something amazing, then I can highly recommend climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Life changing, awe-inspiring, and a wonderful achievement, climbing Kilimanjaro far exceed my expectations, but there are certain things no one told me to expect or prepare for, so I thought I would take a moment to share my list of 50 tips, ideas and things you should know before you make your way to the Roof of Africa:
- You are going to sweat from the moment you start climbing – take plenty of fresh t-shirts and deo!
- Walk slowly, even if it feels strange to start with – it’s the key to success
- Take regular breaks, it’s not a race and Uhuru Peak isn’t going anywhere
- Take time to admire the flora and fauna, it changes every day
- Take plenty of photographs from day one, you might never do this again
- Chat to other Kilimanjaro climbers along the way, some have amazing stories
- Ask your mountain guide how many times he has climbed Kili (I guarantee he will say over 200!)
- Don’t ask you mountain guide how much further to base camp… just keep going
- Don’t forget to admire the view
- You are going to get dusty and dirty from day one
- This dust and dirt gets under your fingernails – take a nail file!
- Dry Shampoo – believe me, you will be glad you took it (especially if you have long hair)
- You are going to eat – a lot!
- You need to drink around 3 litres of water per day
- Points 13 & 14 mean regular visits to the loo…
- There are no loo’s on Kilimanjaro (bushes, port-a-loos at base camp, big rocks… you get the idea)
- Toilet paper – at camp its provided, during the day you need to carry your own
- Plastic bags for foresaid toilet paper – keep Kilimanjaro tidy!
- Take chewing gum and boiled sweets – the porters love them
- Give unwanted lunch packs and drinks to your porters
- If you are on a private Kilimanjaro climb, you will have to get used to eating in front of your mountain crew as they will share you mess tent every evening and only eat themselves when you go to bed
- Don’t take valuables with you, other than cash, credit cards and cameras
- Keep said cash, credit cards and cameras with you at all times
- It will be very cold from night one – expect minus temperatures and wrap up
- Invest in or rent a warm sleeping bag and take thermal underwear for sleeping in
- Wear a hat and socks in your sleeping bag – once you get cold there is no way of heating up until the sun rises
- If you are not used to camping, be prepared for a restless night
- Altitude does funny things to your body, expect your eyes and lips to swell
- If you feel a headache coming on, don’t wait, drink a litre of water and take headache tablets
- Don’t panic if you get a headache, it’s completely normal and a simple Ibuprofen tablet took mine away in minutes.
- Be honest with your mountain guide, if you don’t feel good, let them know your symptoms
- Take advice from your guide on health issues, they know what they are taking about when it comes to altitude related problems
- Retire to your tent early, you may not sleep well but your body will appreciate the rest
- Don’t be surprised if you lose your appetite
- That said, you need to eat for energy, so try to consume as much as possible
- Drink, drink, and drink some more…
- Take plenty of baby-wipes, they are so much more refreshing than the small bowl of water you get to wash with each morning
- Take moisturiser and lip balm (men too!), the mountain air is very drying
- A no-brainer, but wear sunscreen every day – the sun is intense at altitude!
- A hat and quality sunglasses are vital
- Put all your clothes in sealable plastic bags inside your rucksack
- Cover your rucksack with a waterproof cover – the porters will be carrying it during the day and they do not have time to worry about your things getting wet
- Invest in good rain-gear, or at least rent some in Arusha. Getting wet on Kilimanjaro is no fun at all
- Although it is freezing at night, don’t forget to take time to do some stargazing! On a clear night you can see the Milky Way
- On summit night, make sure you cover your face with a bandana or scarf, the wind is brutally cold in the early hours of the morning and frostbite is not attractive (believe me!)
- Don’t think too much on summit night, keep your head down, your pace steady, breathe and when the going gets tough, just remember how far you have come and how close you are to victory
- If other members of your climbing group turn back, don’t feel guilty – keep going this is your journey!
- Cry when you reach Stella Point – it’s a normal emotion! But just remember, you haven’t finished yet
- Take a moment to watch the sunrise over mother Africa before continuing on to Uhuru Peak
- Scream, dance, jump up and down, cry, laugh, and pinch yourself when you reach Uhuru Peak – You did it! (oh yes, and don’t forget the all-important photo!)
