Tanzania, East Africa: Kilimanjaro lies 330km (205 miles) (3 degrees) south of the equator. Kilimanjaro lies within the 756-square-kilometer Kilimanjaro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Size
Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and the world’s highest free-standing mountain, rising 4, 600m (15,100 feet) from the base to summit.
Elevation
5,895 meters (19,340 feet) Uhuru peak is the highest summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
7 Summits
4th Highest of the sought after 7 Summits
Kilimanjaro is made up of 3 volcanoes
Shira 3,962 meters (13,000 feet) – the first volcano to become extinct
Mawenzi 5,149 meters (16,896 feet) – the second volcano of the three to become extinct. Mawenzi is Hans Meyer Point, which can only be reached by mountaineers.
Kibo 5,895 meters (19,340 feet) - Kibo remains active as a dormant active volcano -t he last major eruption was 360,000 years ago, while the most recent activity was only 200 years ago. Apparently there a strong smell of sulphur that still comes from the inner ash pit (I’ll let you know if this is true!)
After reaching a height thought to be 5900 meters during its last major eruption, Kibo has been eroded by glaciers, rivers and landslides to its present height of 5895m.
Glaciers
Recently scientists discovered that Kibo is losing glaciers due to global warming and could perhaps be completely gone in less than 20 years.
Ecosystems
Kilimanjaro boasts virtually every major ecosystem in earth: rain forest, heath, moorland, alpine desert and glaciers. (I’ll update the blog with photos to show you all 5)
Routes
Marangu Route (Coca-Cola Route)
Machame Route (Whiskey Route)
Mweka Route (usually used only to descend)
First Ascent
October 5, 1889 by Hans Meyer, geographer (Germany), Yoanas Kinyala Lauwo (Tanzania), and Ludwig Purtscheller, mountain climber (Austria)
Fastest Ascent
The fastest verified ascent time was by Italian Bruno Brunod in 2001. He climbed Uhuru Peak from Marangu Gate in 5 hours, 38 minutes, and 40 seconds.
The fastest round-trip time was by local guide Simon Mtuy who ran up and down on December 26, 2004 in 8 hours and 27 minutes – and we’re taking 7 days to do it!
Technical climbing skills & training
Climbing Kilimanjaro is comparatively easy and requires no technical climbing or experience. You do have to be “trekking fit” and a regime of 2 months intensive training is recommended.
Acclimatisation
The biggest challenge is at high altitude and your ability to acclimatise. It is highly recommended to take an extra day on the mountain to achieve this.
Most people who are unsuccessful in their attempts to summit are failing not due to fitness but in fact due to altitude sickness.
Guides & Porters
It is mandatory to climb with a licensed guide and have porters carry your equipment. This sustains the local tourism economy and in my post in costs, I have mentioned the $150 compulsory tip per guide (currently recommended).
Origin of the name Kilimanjaro
This is still disputed – so no one really knows. Some people believe the name comes from the Kiswahili name, Kilima meaning mountain.
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