Kilimanjaro
Looking at walking up Kilimanjaro next year has anyone "been there seen it done it"?
N Posts: 4
Looking at walking up Kilimanjaro next year has anyone "been there seen it done it"? Reply to this
N Posts: 5
I traveled to Killimanjaro in 1968 with plans to climb, but did not as we were traveling the world on a shoestring and did not want to spend the money for guides. However, a friend of mine went there two years ago and did climb to the top. The final morning they got up in darkness and got to the top at daybreak. They stayed on top for about 40 minutes and then started down. I guess the lack of oxygen caused much discomfort and headache. I think it takes three days up and two days down. Reply to this
B Posts: 9
I did it also a long time ago in 1985, but my sister did it with her family last summer. You need to book EARLY as the routes get very busy. We are planning to do it in 2007 and are already looking at booking. It is expensive $60 per day at least per person. There are many routes up, depending on your level of moutaineering. The commonest 'tourist' route has been nick named the Coca Cola route, and is basically a stiff hike up the moutain. The route I would recommend is the Machame route, which is not difficult, but not quite so touristy. You can also climb the Shira route, which is more difficult they say. Nowadays Kili doesn't have a lot of snow on it, so don't be too disapointed. I climbed to Gillman's point, but the Uhuru point is higher and goes along the crater top, which you have to do early morning as the snow gets difficult and slushy in the afternoon. I know of some people who have climbed down into the crater itself, but that was in the 70s.
It generally takes 3 days up and 2 days down. You have to walk the last bit very slowly, so as not to get altitude sickness (a real danger, I've seen people come down on stretchers). If you do the 'Coca Cola route' there are huts to stay in all the way and porters to carry your stuff. If you don't like that then contact one of the specialist organisers (easily found on the net) but don't expect it to be cheap. You incidentally have to have a guide of some sort, but do not have to join a formal group. Good luck and enjoy! Teresia Reply to this
It generally takes 3 days up and 2 days down. You have to walk the last bit very slowly, so as not to get altitude sickness (a real danger, I've seen people come down on stretchers). If you do the 'Coca Cola route' there are huts to stay in all the way and porters to carry your stuff. If you don't like that then contact one of the specialist organisers (easily found on the net) but don't expect it to be cheap. You incidentally have to have a guide of some sort, but do not have to join a formal group. Good luck and enjoy! Teresia Reply to this
B Posts: 7
I have a great guide I would recommend if you are going Sept 2006 or February 2007. He has authored a couple of books and runs climbs 8 weeks a year.
-Julie Reply to this
-Julie Reply to this
N Posts: 4
Hi guys,
Thank you all very much for your reply. A friend and i have been looking into costs for the climb and found it is outrageously expensive especially just for two people, apparently the park fees went up this year, typical!!!! but with all these dreams I wont be happy until I have reached the top.
Julie thanks I would like to contact him if you don't mind, we are thinking of going in Late September I take it you climbed Kili yourself? How did you get on?
Teresia the friend I'm going with works for coca cola in Atlanta so we are definitely staying away from that route, you can imagine what he is going to be talking about for the 6 days!
Anyone else thinking of doing the climb this September? Reply to this
Thank you all very much for your reply. A friend and i have been looking into costs for the climb and found it is outrageously expensive especially just for two people, apparently the park fees went up this year, typical!!!! but with all these dreams I wont be happy until I have reached the top.
Julie thanks I would like to contact him if you don't mind, we are thinking of going in Late September I take it you climbed Kili yourself? How did you get on?
Teresia the friend I'm going with works for coca cola in Atlanta so we are definitely staying away from that route, you can imagine what he is going to be talking about for the 6 days!
Anyone else thinking of doing the climb this September? Reply to this
B Posts: 7
His name is Macon Dunnagan
Author of Sons of Kilimanjaro
While I did not climb, I did have a chance to talk extensively with him on our 9 hour plane flight. I was impressed. He is very personable. Genuinely great guy. He wrote the first book on climbing kilimanjaro and writes regular articals to this day. Do some research and I think you will find he is one of the leading experts on the climb.
Best of all, he does not do it for the money. So, you might find him to be more reasonable than others.
Also, if you are looking for some R&R after your climb, I recommend (personally) the Pongwe Beach Hotel. Food was fabulous, the huts were amazing and we enjoyed the location a great deal. email. www.pongwe.com.
Good luck and follow your dreams. I spoke to many people who did this climb. All of them made it and glowed for many days afterward. You will never regret it.
-Julie
Author of Sons of Kilimanjaro
While I did not climb, I did have a chance to talk extensively with him on our 9 hour plane flight. I was impressed. He is very personable. Genuinely great guy. He wrote the first book on climbing kilimanjaro and writes regular articals to this day. Do some research and I think you will find he is one of the leading experts on the climb.
Best of all, he does not do it for the money. So, you might find him to be more reasonable than others.
Also, if you are looking for some R&R after your climb, I recommend (personally) the Pongwe Beach Hotel. Food was fabulous, the huts were amazing and we enjoyed the location a great deal. email
Good luck and follow your dreams. I spoke to many people who did this climb. All of them made it and glowed for many days afterward. You will never regret it.
-Julie
[Edited: 18:37 - Mell - Please exchange contact details via the private messaging system]
Reply to thisN Posts: 16
I agree with Julie, Macon Dunnagan is an excellent person. I am found recently that he is leading a Kilimanjaro trek in September, 2006 that will raise money for the NOCC, an organization responsible for helping women all over the United States fight ovarian cancer. You can join the adventure, or sponsor a climber to help in this cause. They have very reasonable prices since this is a fundraising trek. For more information, http://www.zaratravel.com/kili/nocc2006.html. Maybe this will help you achive your dream and at the same time you will be part of a noble cause. There you will be able to choose more options after the climb. Reply to this
N Posts: 4
Hey,
I did the Kili climb last year on the Machame route. It was truely incredible, one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I went through Zara Tanzanian Adventures: zaratravel.com and they were great. I loved my guide and the food was even great!
I would recommend the Machame route, it was really a good amount of time, I did an extra day on the mountain as well, which was highly recommended through our guides to make it to the top. Hope that helps! Reply to this
I did the Kili climb last year on the Machame route. It was truely incredible, one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I went through Zara Tanzanian Adventures: zaratravel.com and they were great. I loved my guide and the food was even great!
I would recommend the Machame route, it was really a good amount of time, I did an extra day on the mountain as well, which was highly recommended through our guides to make it to the top. Hope that helps! Reply to this
d Posts: 3
I am going to Arusha tanzania 70km outside kilamanjaro and i was wondering if anyone had any travel tips or advice. Reply to this
N Posts: 1
Just got back from Kilimanjaro (July 11-17 2008). We climbed the Machame route and had an incredible experience. We booked the trip with Achmed (www.basecamptanzania.com), who organized a great guide for our climb James. We recommend Achmed for his responsiveness, professionalism, and reasonable pricing. Achmed came out to our hotel upon our arrival and prior to the climb and safari to go over the details... and share a beer or two -- which made us feel like we were not strangers in Tanzania right away.
The success of the trip and the fact that it was lots of fun was due to a large extent to our guide James Gambares and the crew. James is a very amicable person with a good knowledge of English and the mountain. He will keep a constant eye on you (assessing how much you can push yourself), cheer you up, share past stories, and help out by carrying your daypack (think one hairy part of the Baranco wall ). On the summit night, he went above and beyond the call of duty between altitude, bitter cold and the failure of our main camera, we had taken only a handful of pictures on the summit. A few minutes later, James asked us for the second camera and took great pictures all the way down to Stella point we owe him many of our summit photos. Oh yes, and he sings!
Reply to this
The success of the trip and the fact that it was lots of fun was due to a large extent to our guide James Gambares and the crew. James is a very amicable person with a good knowledge of English and the mountain. He will keep a constant eye on you (assessing how much you can push yourself), cheer you up, share past stories, and help out by carrying your daypack (think one hairy part of the Baranco wall ). On the summit night, he went above and beyond the call of duty between altitude, bitter cold and the failure of our main camera, we had taken only a handful of pictures on the summit. A few minutes later, James asked us for the second camera and took great pictures all the way down to Stella point we owe him many of our summit photos. Oh yes, and he sings!
Reply to this