Mt Kilimanjaro Logue

Moir to Lava Tower

Donovan — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:38:12 +0000

You generally don’t see this Kilimanjaro picture angle. It’s on the route from Moir Hut to Lava Tower, coming from the west. This is typically Day 4 on a Lemosho Route climb.

Mazamas Summit Kilimanjaro

Donovan — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:24:19 +0000

A group from the Oregon-based Mazamas recently joined one of my climbs up Mt. Kilimanjaro. They spent eight days hiking up the Lemosho route, which enters Kilimanjaro from the west.

If you live in Washington or Oregon, I highly recommend joining the Mazamas, as they have a true love for the outdoors - and have both recreational and educational adventures to enjoy.

Special thanks to Jamaica, Mohammed, and the rest of the team for making it such a great trip!

Kilimanjaro Hakuna Matata: New Book

Donovan — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:14:49 +0000

I stumbled upon a novice Mt Kilimanjaro climbing book today: Kilimanjaro: Hakuna Matata, by Chris Baker. I don’t know anything about this guy and it doesn’t seem like he is a famous writer, but he did take the time to write a book, which is a huge undertaking. I always find it interesting when people publish an entire book about their climbing experiences, as obviously it has changed them in some significant way. Read the book and find out. Please let me know if you do!

My favorite quote on his website, probably sums up what everyone should consider before climbing the mountain. “It was also probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done. For much of the time the climb was actually quite unpleasant - absolutely exhausting, freezing cold and unbearably short of oxygen. For that reason I always hesitate to recommend the climb when people ask me: it will be hard, unpleasant and possibly unsuccessful - there are many people out there who definitely would not enjoy it.”

All of his earning will go to support the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project, which is a noble cause.

Good job Chris!

Unsolicited Review - Porters and Safety

Donovan — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:55:05 +0000

Here is an unsolicited email from some clients who recently returned from their climb. What makes this letter interesting is that our guide advised my client Ralph not to summit even though he was 1 day away. The point is - he should not jeopardizes the safety of himself, or the team, even though you traveled half way around the world and paid all this money to climb the mountain. Safety is always first!
And you should always go to the mountain with the intention of NOT making it to the summit. Also, it’s great to see he recognizes the issues with porters and wants to help make it better.

“It’s two weeks since I’m back from Kili, and in spite of the problems that I had, the trip was amazing. I don’t know whether you have regular contact with your guide or not, but he made a difficult call and would not let me try for the summit. I’ve got a history of knee problems from running marathons and 30+ years in the martial arts, and the downhill stages were just torturous for me. He didn’t think that I could make it back down without delaying everyone too much, or worse, suffering a fall and injuring myself or one of the other members in our party. As disappointed as I was, I have an enormous amount of respect for Jamaica, and believe that he made a decision that was right for everyone.

Everyone in our group was moved by the plight of the porters, and we all felt that we wanted to do something to help them. Some of our group left some old clothing with Jamaica, but we all agreed that we had piles of stuff at home that could be put to use by the porters. I’m actually a freight specialist, and I can’t find an economical way to ship things to Jamaica to pass on to the porters.

I was wondering if you had any suggestions on what we could do to help them, other than the obvious of sending money and hoping that it is put to proper use.

Thanks for putting the trip together for us. The dynamic of the 8 people in the group was amazing, and it was truly a life altering experience. By some stroke of luck, I believe that we ended up with the absolute best guide on the mountain. Your guide is truly an amazing human being!”

Ralph Brady

Karanga Camp

Donovan — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:32:58 +0000

Altitude Sickness

Donovan — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:40:45 +0000

I often receive the question, what happens if someone gets sick and needs to descent from the mountain. Well, typically, and it depends upon each situation, there are assistant guides that walk the person to a lower elevation, depending upon his or her condition. Here is a video of someone with altitude sickness walking down from the summit. As you can see, he doesn’t look too good - but manages to be walking.

Western Breach Opened

Donovan — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:59:20 +0000

It has been a few years since the landside on Mt Kilimanjaro that claimed the lives of a few people on the Western Breach. The breach opened up a few months ago, but I had not heard reports of any companies leading climbs up it - until today.

Apparently a father and daughter team, organized by Mountain Maddness who contracts with a local company (African Environments, I think), climbed the mountain without any problems.

I imagine now that more guiding companies will start climbing the Western Breach again and bring back the most adventurous route on Kilimanjaro. I can’t wait to get up there again.

Read Quality time for father and daughter: At the top of Kilimanjaro.

Upcoming groups climbing Kilimanjaro, 2008

Donovan — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 22:28:03 +0000

I have a number of groups climbing Kilimanjaro this coming summer. All of these groups are looking for other people to join. Typically the groups are composed of other independent-style travelers in small groups or alone, that are looking to share in the excitement of climbing Africa’s highest mountain.

If you are interested, you can find out more details in our Kilimanjaro climb sections.

Upcoming Adventures:
7 Day Machame Climb - June 14 (7 spots)
7 Day Machame Climb - July 6 (4 spots)
7 Day Machame Cilmb - July 12 (3 spots)
7 Day Machame Climb - August 23 (5 spots)

Both the July 12 and August 23 are followed by an optional 5 day camping safari.

Marangu Route on Kilimanjaro - April & May

Donovan — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:32:28 +0000

95 percent of the people who call me about climbing Kilimanjaro rarely have plans to climb the Marangu route. The reason is, the Marangu route is super easy - a gentle hike, you sleep inside huts with loads of other people, and it “generally” caters to someone who wants to summit the mountain fast. And, it can have loads of traffic. Most climbers, trekkers, adventurers opt for coming up the Lemosho, Rongai, or Machame routes, and these I would highly recommend most of the year.

Recently, however, I have been receiving lots of interest for people climbing Kilimanjaro during the dreaded rainy months of April and May. Typically, I might organize a few groups during these months, but you can pretty much except consistent rain, heavy mud, loads of clouds with limited visibility, but also a mountain pretty much to yourself. If you are looking for this kind of experience, the Marangu route might be the best option during April & May, as you can sleep inside every night on your hike up Kilimanjaro - staying at Mandara Hut, Horombo Huts, Mawenzi Hut and Kibo Huts. You will stay dry, be somewhat warm, and be able to avoid the rain, unlike if you are hiking up the other routes during the first rain.

I would consider arranging your Kilimanjaro tour to descend via the Mweka route, to maybe break up the scenery a bit, and see another side of the mountain as you descend.

Mess Tents on Kilimanjaro

Donovan — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 23:29:15 +0000

One of the best items an outfitter can bring up Mt. Kilimanjaro is a mess tent. A mess tent can be a savior when it comes to punishing sun, cold rain, and hard wind. In your mess tent, you can sit around, play cards, tell stories, eat food, and kill time, while you wait for the next day. It’s a must on Kilimanjaro.

If you are considering a company - always check to see if they include mess tents on the climb. The quality outfitters always include this. The budget outfitters will be serving dinner in your tent.