| In brief this article covers a few questions | | | | climb. Make sure that you are properly |
| commonly asked about climbing Kilimanjaro. | | | | informed and equipped. I would say most |
| | | | guides have [or at least claim to have] a |
| Q. We hear the Marangu route is overcrowded | | | | success rate to the crater rim in excess of |
| and should be avoided? | | | | 90% and to Uhuru peak at around 85%. It is |
| | | | said that reaching the summit is a bonus, but |
| A. Marangu route must be booked in advance, | | | | should never be seen as the sole aim of the |
| this route uses huts for accommodation and to | | | | climb - but who starts to climb Kilimanjaro |
| avoid overcrowding numbers are strictly | | | | without wanting to reach the summit - to do |
| supervised. It is or at least was the most | | | | this be prepared and listen to your guide |
| popular route for first time climb. Most | | | | because he knows best! |
| operators now recommend the Machame route for | | | | |
| your first attempt on Kilimanjaro. | | | | Q.How cold does it get on Kilimanjaro? |
| | | | |
| Q. Does an extra day help acclimatization? | | | | A. The temperature at the top of the mountain |
| | | | vary; at times it is only a degree or two |
| A. Most guidebooks recommend that climbers | | | | below freezing, but it is possible to have |
| spend an extra day during the Marangu route | | | | temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees |
| climb. Statistics can be quoted to back up | | | | Celsius, especially in with wind chill |
| an argument for or against an extra day for | | | | factor. At times there are snow blizzards |
| acclimatization. Every person I have ever | | | | and to walk across the saddle in a blizzard |
| spoken to who took the extra day did not | | | | is hard work. It has been known for snow to |
| regret it. All other matters aside an extra | | | | stop climbing on the mountain for short |
| day spent on the ascent is great because it | | | | periods. |
| makes the whole climb more relaxed and gives | | | | |
| an opportunity to go on some pleasant walks. | | | | Q.What should I know about altitude sickness? |
| The most important factor for success is the | | | | |
| overall approach to the climb, listen to your | | | | A. There are different types of altitude |
| guide. | | | | sickness. "Acute mountain sickness" is |
| | | | common, and is not as frightening as its name |
| Q. If there is a problem on the mountain what | | | | suggests. The symptoms are headaches, nausea |
| are the rescue procedures? | | | | and vomiting, though not everyone suffers |
| | | | from all the symptoms. Normally, symptoms |
| A. The national park operates a rescue | | | | fade after a few hours, but if they do not a |
| service, and the huts on the Marangu route | | | | climber may need to turn back, especially if |
| are linked to each other and to the park | | | | vomiting is leading to dehydration. |
| headquarters by radio. In the vast majority | | | | |
| of emergency cases, the problem is altitude | | | | A much more serious type of altitude sickness |
| related and the solution is an immediate and | | | | is called oedema. This is a build-up of fluid |
| rapid descent. All registered guides are | | | | in the body, and when the fluid collects in |
| experienced at dealing with such cases and | | | | the lungs or the brain a serious condition |
| can bring climbers down to safe altitudes | | | | develops which requires immediate action |
| very quickly and without park assistance | | | | which is a rapid descent to a lower altitude, |
| | | | where recovery is usually miraculously fast. |
| Q.The success rate on Kilimanjaro is less | | | | |
| than forty percent. Is this true? | | | | I recommend sun creams with SPF 30, as the |
| | | | sun near the equator is very strong. Don't |
| A. Some people climb Kilimanjaro without | | | | forget to have something to protect your lips |
| taking the climb seriously and have a nasty | | | | as well and not forgetting personal items |
| shock as they realize what they have let | | | | & toiletries toothpaste & tooth |
| themselves in for. Therefore they may be | | | | brush, body lotion, toilet paper and other |
| inadequately equipped and fed; they then have | | | | personal hygiene items. |
| a miserable time ending up with a fruitless | | | | |