| Affectionately termed Kili, Mt Kilimanjaro is located | | | | person to officially reach the top of Kili is still alive |
| just south of the equator on the border of Kenya | | | | today. He is 118 years old. |
| and Tanzania. It is also nicknamed the roof of Africa | | | | The scenery is awe inspiring and climbers often |
| because it is the tallest free standing mountain rise in | | | | speak of experiencing spiritual awakenings during their |
| the world standing a whopping 19,330 feet. Kili | | | | climb. |
| became a National Park and opened to the public in | | | | Kili encompasses nearly every eco-system on earth, |
| 1977. | | | | while climbing one will go through tropical jungles, |
| Mt. Kilimanjaro has three dormant active volcanoes. | | | | deserts, alpine moorland, snowfields and glaciers |
| · Kibo is 19,340 feet, | | | | before reaching the top. There aren't many places in |
| · Mawenze is 16,896 feet | | | | the world to experience all of the earth's |
| · Shira is 13,000 feet. | | | | eco-systems in one climb! |
| It has been over 200 years since any volcanic | | | | The wildlife is also incredible and abundant on Mt. |
| activity has been reported although there is still a | | | | Kilimanjaro. Giraffes, elephants, hyenas, leopards, blue |
| strong smell of sulfur emanating from the inner ash | | | | monkeys, colobus monkeys, and water buffalo can all |
| pits. | | | | be found while hiking or climbing the mountain. |
| The National Park consists of over 60 miles long and | | | | The surrounding area is quite populated by the local |
| 40 miles wide including all three volcanoes. | | | | tribe of Chagga. Many are farmers while others make |
| Mt. Kilimanjaro is quite well known by mountain | | | | their living as guides for people hiking or climbing the |
| climbing and hiking enthusiasts. Over 25,000 people | | | | mountain. |
| attempt to climb to Uhuru peak, the highest summit | | | | Many climbers set out with a goal of reaching the top |
| on the mountain every year. Of those only 25% of | | | | in order to have their experience documented. At the |
| climbers reach the top. The oldest person to ever | | | | very top of the Uhuru Peak there is a wooden box. |
| accomplish this goal was 87 years old. One does not | | | | Inside this box is a book that every person who |
| need to be an experienced climber, but you do need | | | | reaches the top has recorded their feelings about |
| to be in good physical condition. | | | | having reached the Roof of Africa. This would surely |
| One of the Tanzanian guides that assisted the first | | | | be a book worth reading! |