Tips for a success climb on Mount Kilimanjaro 

Congratulations, you’ve decided to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, and now you are wondering how to ensure you make it to the roof of Africa. 

Uhuru Peak, Mount Kilimanjaro (Summit of Mount Kilimanjaro!!!)
To increase your likelihood of getting that coveted photo of yourself on top of Uhuru Peak, here are six tips that can help you reach your goal!!

 1.Hike ahead of time.

It is true, Kilimanjaro is not a technical mountain, but that does not mean it is not a physically demanding, strenuous climb. The altitude alone increases the difficulty of the journey. The best exercise to prepare for Mount Kilimanjaro is hiking because that is what you will be doing on the mountain. Other exercises such as running and weightlifting can help, but the bulk of training, if not all of your training, should be hiking.

Trail Hikers
Adding a backpack with some weight in it on your outdoor excursions will help you train as well. If you don’t have a lot of experience hiking, start with some shorter jaunts and build up to longer ones. On Kilimanjaro, you will be hiking 4-6 hours a day and on summit day, 12-14 hours, so you want to condition yourself to handle this level of activity. Endurance is key, so train for duration rather than intensity.

If you don’t live in a region rich with day hikes nearby, a stair master can provide an adequate substitute. It is ideal to start your training regimen for at least two months before your departure.

2. Hydrate on the mountain.

At high levels of altitude, you dehydrate much quicker. Dehydration can increase your chances of headaches, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), overall fatigue, and even grouchiness, so drink plenty of water (your friends will thank you).

For many climbers, it is quite common to get a slight headache because of the change in altitude. Drinking sufficient amounts of water can help stave off added discomfort associated with dehydration headaches. Water is collected from the nearby mountain streams and treated with Aquatabs water purification tablets.  It is provided at campsites only, so we recommend carrying at least 3 liters of water to keep hydrated while you hike. It is also wise to drink at least a liter of water before and after you climb each day on the mountain.

You may want to consider bringing both a water bladder and a water bottle.  A water bladder, like a platypus, is nice because you can sip as you climb.  However, as you near the summit, water bladders may freeze, so it is wise to have a backup water source.  It is also good to bring electrolyte packets to add to your water bottle (not your water bladder, as this can cause mold).  They add some flavor to your water when continuously drinking fluids becomes daunting and keep your electrolytes balanced.

For our safety guidelines or more information on Acute Mountain Sickness signs, symptoms, and prevention, see here.

3. Pole, pole! Pole, pole is a phrase that you will often hear while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

In Swahili, it means slowly, gently, softly, quietly, be calm, or take it easy. When taking on a challenge like Kilimanjaro, remember slow, and steady can mean the difference between successfully reaching the summit and turning back early.  Acclimatizing to the low levels of oxygen in the mountains takes time, and it is essential to be gentle with your body so it can get used to the lack of oxygen. Don’t race to the next campsite – it is not helpful at all to be first. Take your time and enjoy the scenery.

During the majority of the trek, you should be walking at a pace where you can carry on a conversation with others.  On summit night, you will adopt a slow pace, taking a rest step in-between each step to conserve your energy.  Rest-stepping is a technique utilized by professional mountaineers to help them reach the summits of mountains such as Everest and K2.  It works.  Energy for chatting summit night will be sparse, so remember breath in through the nose, out through the mouth, pole pole. 

4.Gear up. 

While climbing Kilimanjaro, it is of the utmost importance to make sure you have the right gear.  One of the essential items for your climb is a pair of waterproof boots that have been broken in on your long training hikes with the same style of socks you plan on wearing. 

Blisters are the enemy, as are cold feet, so an extra pair of warm socks and liners are key.  Hand and neck protection is also necessary.  Freezing fingers, toes and a cold neck are no fun so make sure you bring extra warm gear to keep from getting cold.  You can always peel off layers later (and you will during your descent). 

Also, make sure you have sun protection, including a sun hat, and sunscreen.  It is easier to get sunburned in high elevations, and sunburn will increase discomfort levels and your propensity towards dehydration.  There are lots of other items that you will want to bring along on your trek to the summit.  For a detailed gear list, see here

5.Bring mountain treats.  

When at altitude, people often lose their appetite.  Even with the extreme levels of exertion, getting the calories in to keep you going can be a strangely challenging task.  To make sure a decrease in appetite doesn’t make you run out of the fuel you need to make it to the top, we encourage you to bring some of your favorite, high-calorie snacks to munch on for your climb.

We will feed you very well, but you may find a desire to eat some comfort snacks from home. The idea is to pack goodies you will eat even if you don’t have an appetite. Yes, junk food and candy are totally fine! Don’t worry, you will burn off every last calorie, and the treats help provide the energy you need for that extra push to make it to the top.  You also want to pack things that don’t melt or freeze.  Chocolate, nuts, hard candy and protein bars are some personal favorites we see our clients bring. M&M’s combined with mixed nuts is an excellent choice because M&M’s don’t tend to melt, whereas other types of chocolate may during the lower reaches of the climb.

6. Believe!  A positive mental attitude can keep you going when fatigue and doubts arise.

Celebrating the Summit!
Believe in yourself. Remember, you don’t walk the path all at once, you walk it one step at a time and as long as you take the next step, you will reach the summit.  It is easy to get overwhelmed and exhausted, but remember, you are on vacation.  Enjoy yourself!  Kick back and relax with your fellow climbers during the evenings and have fun. 

Summit day may seem daunting, but your mindset can change everything.  If you find yourself plagued with doubt, remind yourself that you are tougher than you think and you can achieve anything. Many people tell us they did not think they would make it – BUT THEY DID ANYWAY – AND SO CAN YOU!

Remember, summiting Mount Kilimanjaro is not a big  challenging task if you come prepared and follow our instructions,take your time, and believe in yourself; you can make it to the top