Preparing For A Trek Up Mt Kilimanjaro
Games Guy | January 31, 2012
You can never begin preparing for a hike up Mt Kilimanjaro too soon, as the fitter you are the more chance you have of reaching the summit successfully. Try to spend as much of your day on your feet walking. A typical working day could include walking to work instead of driving, taking the stairs instead of the elevator and going to the gym, for a run or even for spinning classes after work. If you are able to keep at this 3 to 4 times a week then you put yourself in good stead to enjoy your climb Kilimanjaro experience rather than to struggle up it.
You really need to capitalise on your weekends as this is where you will have the most time to get into some serious training. Go for long walks, maybe 6-8 hours and ensure there are plenty of steep inclines as this is what you will encounter on the mountain. You can even try camping, to get yourself fully prepared for the whole experience, but don’t do it so often that it puts you off for good. Remember a Kilimanjaro climb is supposed to be a fun experience, not an impossible, arduous task. A word of advice, wear the shoes/boots you intend on taking with you to Kilimanjaro, as you really don’t want to be suffering with blisters whilst hiking to the summit of Africa.
Most trekkers take a camera with them just to get a shot of them at the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro but it’s important to realise the limitations of your photographic equipment. Almost all cameras these days have an element of digital film in them and digital film is notoriously sensitive at low temperatures. Most photography equipment can only be maintained down to a temperature of 0C/32F, so ensure it’s always encased within your clothing and only feel the need to get it out when you have to, otherwise you risk it malfunctioning. It’s also worth noting that the life expectancy of batteries decreases the higher your altitude so bring as many as you can…just in case.
Travel insurance is of paramount importance, many companies won’t even consider taking you on the mountain should you not be covered in one form or another. It’s of critical importance that you’re policy states covering you for trekking to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro and if it doesn’t then ensure you get a cover note with this on.