Climbing Kilimanjaro - Advice welcome!

[Javen]

Hi everyone,

I am relatively new to the forums, having tried to battle my way through my problems on my own for far too long... It's time to get social!

Back on topic, I have set myself a rather ambitious goal for next year... I had originally planned to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro as a personal challenge, but have now expanded it as am opportunity to raise money for Alzheimers UK.

This is a challenging goal for me for multiple reasons:

1) I am chronic procrastinator
2) I am not fat, but overweight and under-fit.
3) I am a fairly typical sheltered westerner, happy with my broadband and fast food.
4) I have never, ever achieved anything even remotely close in size and scope to this, and frankly I'm terrified (and exhilarated).

I'm hoping to break through quite a few personal blocks on the way to achieving this goal, and to have a lot of fun improving my life.

I'd be interested in any and all advice on planning and preparing for a challenge like this, either specifically about an arduous hike overseas, or about any large goal that is WAY outside your comfort zone.

Wish me luck!

J

[ticktockclok]

Ok.

First off, there is absolutely no way you are going to be able to do this as your first climb.

You must be in perfect physical condition to summit. You stated that you're below average right now, so this step to summit alone will take a while, over a year.

Even people in perfect physical condition have trouble climbing peaks as great as Kilimanjaro as their first climb. They have to start out with smaller peaks, such as those in the Rockies. Summiters need extreme mental strength as well, and the intelligence and mettle to make life and death decisions.

Obviously, this goal, if you stay true to it, would not be completed any time soon. If I were you, the first steps I would take are get in shape and find the nearest rock gym. If you can't do the rock gym's hardest course, there's no way you can get up Kilimanjaro.

[Javen]

Hi ttc,

The reason I have selected Kilimanjaro is because it can be climbed on foot - no technical climbing equipment is needed, no skills, just fitness, good boots and determination.

I know there is no way I could do a proper rock climb - and at the moment, I am not particularly interested in doing so... I just fancy a good physical challenge, that is within my range.

J

[calluna]

Hi Javen,

You're correct that Kilimanjaro isn't a "technical" climb, but remember that the summit is close to 6000 meters -- 19,340 feet -- and that's not a walk in the park on a gentle spring day.

This is serious, serious business. Only about 1 in 4 climbers that start up the mountain make the summit, the rest have to turn back because of altitude sickness, injury, or fatigue. And people die up there, like they do on every mountain.

Start by learning about the effects (and dangers) of high altitude climbs and acclimatization. This is a good introductory lesson from Princeton.

(I think the highest thing I've ever climbed was a little over 6000 feet, after a lifetime of living at just about sea-level, and you have no idea how gross and sick and disoriented you can feel.)

Get as much time at higher altitudes as you possibly can. Talk to hiking clubs about the most rugged local or regional trails and do them. Make the stairmaster your new best friend. Go to your doctor and make sure your heart and lungs are up to the challenge. Think about doing some mini-expeditions in the UK and in Europe before heading for Africa.

I did a quick search and found one or two training programmes here and here; I am sure there are many, many others.

Last, but certainly not least, start talking to people who have been there and do as much research as you can to find reputable guides and outfitters.

Having big goals is great, and, done intelligently, it could be the adventure of a lifetime. I know you want to jump in with both feet (so to speak), but don't. Mountaineering is a combination of fitness, preparation and EXPERIENCE, and the more experience you have, the less likely you are to get into trouble.

Good Luck!
Calluna

[Rosi]

Hi Javen,

Of course you can do it! If there isn't a medical reason for you not to be able to then all you need is the right mental attitude and the right training.

Inform yourself about the level of fitness you will need to achieve and work hard to achieve that. It would be a good idea to see a doctor and a fitness specialist. Don't let them put you off the idea. You want their advice on HOW to do it, not on whether you can do it!!

It will be hard work but the reward will be worth it and the reward is not just reaching the top, it is also being a fit person with renewed self esteem and a knowledge that you can do what you set your heart on.

Good luck with your training.
Rosi

[jbischke]

I did Kili a few years ago and while it's not easy I'm not sure it's as difficult as some posters have indicated. In our group 9 of 10 people got to the top and other groups that I've known personally have had similar success. You definitely want to train well but I don't think you need to be in perfect shape. I'd advice to get a backpack and throw a bunch of books in it so it's at least 20-30 lbs. Then find a treadmill and set the incline up all the way (e.g., 15%). Then walk at a decent pace (at least 2.0 mph) for a couple of hours. If you can do that without much problem I think you'll be fine on Kili.

[Michelle]

Just want to throw my 2 cents in here.

Having lived in the midst of the Alps for the last 8 years, I can tell you people die on them every single day. Many of the people who die are people just out for a walk, tourists who haven't a clue, and yes - even very experienced climbers. In fact, 6 experienced climbers died in the last 2 weeks.

That said, if your intuition is giving you the green light - enjoy your journey!

[Erki]

What did they die from? If they were out for a walk, how come they couldn't feel something is not all right and go back?

[Michelle]

Very often they just slip and fall. Sometimes there are avalanches. Sometimes people will unknowingly walk onto a glacier. Sometimes climbing equipment breaks.

In the cases of the 6 climbers who died recently:

There were two teams. In each case they plunged to their deaths several hundred meters while climbing the Matterhorn.

About a month ago a group of school children slipped off the side of a mountain while at ski camp. A 6 year old girl died.

[technobeast]

Originally Posted by Michelle

There were two teams. In each case they plunged to their deaths several hundred meters while climbing the Matterhorn.

One of the teams consisted of 3 Bulgarians. They were great people!

[Michelle]

Originally Posted by technobeast

One of the teams consisted of 3 Bulgarians. They were great people!

You are right! I am so sorry for your country's loss.

[Rosi]

It's definitely important to do something like this responsibly. On a climb such as Kilimanjaro you won't be doing it alone. There should be an organisation and guides there to support you and make sure you get help if you get altitude sickness for example. Obviously things can go wrong but if you prepare properly and have the right infrastructure and support then you have as good a chance as anyone of getting to the top.

[PhyllisZ]

There's an excellent book called "Touch the Top of the World"... written by the 1st blind man who has climbed all of the top peaks in the world, including Mt. Kilimanjaro. It's an incredibly inspirational story, and goes into detail on some specifics of that mountain climb.

Eric Weihenmayer (the author and climber), is also an incredible speaker... if you ever get a chance to hear him talk. He spoke at my company's last convention.

[Javen]

Back again,

I can confirm that I am doing the climb with a very expreienced company - who have a very good reputation, and have a great support network both while planning and preparing for the climb and during the trip itself.

I am very much looking forward to this, although I know it is going to be a real challenge for me.

Cheers for all the support and advice,

J

[optimist]

I went up kilimanjaro a few years ago, prior to that i had been to everest base camp,and mt.Blanc. The secret is to first get some experience on some small trekking mountains,and once you have recovered from he shock of that,then its time to put in some hard training.You should train to climb a mountain,that means geting your legs trained to going upwards.The best method i found that i felt worked for me was using a stepper,climbing stairs with a weihted backpack, and squatting with low weight for high reps.You must do these exercises progressively,meaning that you must do more than you previously did,never do the same as before.Also when you go take a high carb mixture that you can mix in water,this will pay big dividends

[Kaspian]

I've hiked to the top of Mount Whitney 3 times now. It's 14,497 feet at the top, the trail head is at 8,360, 22 miles round trip, and we do it in one day. (It's really just one long walk up then back down again with almost no snow if you hike it in mid or late July.) Some years my preparations were better than others. Here's what worked best:

First off, I'm generally active. Even over the winter, I tend to maintain some level of fitness through rock climbing in a gym and riding horses. (English/Dressage/Jumping - it's a bigger workout than you might suppose!)

Three months before Whitney, we start hiking locally 1-2 times per week, starting with 4-5 mile hikes, working to 12-mile hikes. One or two 12-milers has been enough. Though ideally, some of these would have been at higher elevations, they were mostly below 5000 feet since I live on the coast.

Roughly three weeks before the big day, we headed to higher elevations for at least a week, sleeping around 5000 feet and hiking (or rock climbing) up to 7000 feet.

Four or five days before Whitney, we headed to the high Sierras and spent a few days hiking at even higher elevations, heading at least to 10k.

The only members of our party who had issues with elevation sickness were those that skipped the week or two at 5-7k feet.

One doctor that I talked to said that your body has two different blood protein adaptations to high elevation: a quick response and a slow response. Both help your blood carry more oxygen. The quick response takes about 3 days to kick in, but is less effective. The slow response takes ~3 weeks to activate.

Though Kilimanjaro is higher elevation and requires at least 4-5 days, I'd assume that the preparations aren't *that* different.

[Niki]

GOOD LUCK !!!

If you believe it, you can achieve it!

Push you limits!!