Everything I Wish I'd Done Differently Climbing Kilimanjaro
Everything I Wish I'd Done Differently Climbing Kilimanjaro
00:00 Hey Y’all
00:08 Extra Day To Adjust To Time Change
01:18 Be In Better Shape
03:47 Go At A Less Popular Time
05:31 Private Tour
06:23 Gear Changes
07:42 Maximize My Trip To Africa
07:57 Bring Used Gear To Donate
Full Kilimanjaro Gear List: https://lighterpack.com/r/bblcnh
Guide Service I Used:…
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Alabama man myself. I climbed 2 months ago at age 64. Good advice- really glad we arrived 2 days early to go on safari. Yes to legs gaiters! It was a full moon so summit was crowded- wish I had known.
After having gone a couple of years ago those were a lot of the same things I wished I would have known. The porters and guides were extremely grateful for any gear you were willfully to donate since it is very difficult for them to acquire those items in Tanzania. And yes definitely stay a few extra days and go on a safari while you’re there.
Well done your well come back again
Thank you!!❤
Fun fact. Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest non American volcano.
How about Diamox (Acetazolamide)
Amazing. Informative. Thank u
Eva Zu Beck, one of the biggest adventurers, climbed Kilimanjaro with no problem. She stated that the best thing to do is to take the long western route, which takes 9 days instead of the normal 5-7 days. This gives you plenty of time to acclimatize during the climb, which is the single most important thing. The success rate of the route she took is 95%, as compared to 50% for the whole mountain. She has climbed 5 of the 7 tallest peaks, including Mt. Vinson in Antartica, and even posted a specific video on hints to know prior to the climb of Kilimanjaro.
I might rather take a week in Colorado or some high elevation location for a week before the Kilimanjaro trip. Probably cheaper than that machine and more enjoyable if you can agree with your job to work remote while acclimating some, then you don't have to take a lot of vacation in addition to Kilimanjaro.
Excellent advice. I'm planing on taking 2 years to get myself trained and ready. I want 300 miles ish on all my kit so that I am used to it. I'll also with a mask, these strengthen lungs and gets the body used to less oxygen.
Michael Chrichton, the late author (Jurassic Park) climbed it in his 20's as a heavy smoker on a dare with no planning or training and after a night of heavy drinking. He says he made it. Like most strenuous activity, your enjoyment goes way up the more you train. You don't want to be the one that comes into camp 2 hours after everyone else, totally exhausted.
You want to hike at high elevations? Try living at high elevations for at least six months prior. If you aspire to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, go live in Tibet, or at the top of the Rocky Mountains. To train for the trek, do the CDT again.
You mean maximize your trip to Tanzania, Africa is not a country.
Amazingly, i might have flown you there!
If I was to do Kili again I would go the Northern route which is quieter and takes longer so allows you a few more days to acclimatise. I am glad I did it via the more common southern route the first time because I liked the climb to the plateau and Lava Tower and the Barranco Wall etc. but if I did it a second time then it would be nice to see a new route.
I would also probably take fewer clothes as I had three pairs of trousers of different warmths but really just needed a lightweight pair and then a thick pair for the ascent.
Same with tops, I only needed two or three lightweight ones and a thick one for the ascent (plus a couple of fleeces for layering).
I would swap my fancy 'flip-top' water bottle for a more basic open mouth design because the straw of my bottle froze about an hour into the ascent but a basic bottle allows you to carry it inverted and also to break any ice that forms. I was happy that I used a camelback for the early days of the climb but I knew that would freeze on the ascent.
I agree about having a free day before starting. I came from the UK so had no jet-lag but it was still hard to travel for 12 hours, arrive late in the day then climb next morning. Luckily we went to Kenya to stay in a game park for a few days before going home though that was a long drive and did make the return trip to the airport quite long.
I am not sure I needed more exercise, especially not weights. I was a not very athletic 61 year old and trained by doing 5-10 mile hikes twice a week at sea-level though there were on a rugged coastline so lots of ups & downs along each walk. I did not have any issues at all with tired muscles in the morning on the climb though the descent did cause some 🙂 I was actually very short of breath at the summit, hence my wanting to take longer to acclimatise on a second attempt, but on the other hand a month later I was told I had a leaky heart valve so that probably did not help 🙂
This was such an interesting video, Dixie, although I was just about hyperventilating throughout with the thought of those heights, lol. Enjoyed learning more about Tanzania. I can see where you would have probably enjoyed more time to experience its wildlife.
I always add a day or more to the front and tail on my trips if the plane is longer than 6 hours or so. Not only for jet lag but to check my gear and resolve and hiccups (like the time I somehow forgot to pack pants) Also time to get a local phone SIM and cash for tips etc. If it turns out everything is fine then time to explore local sites. On the tail end I use the time to "recover' from the trip, and Have A Bath! (and do laundry) and again to replenish supplies or discard things that are not flight friendly (walking sticks come to mind)
What was the full moon experience? You didn’t specify.
Lots of great tips for those not used to high elevation or this kind of travel. Altitude sickness is real, even in the foothills. Just to clarify about heart rate at high elevation, yes being fitter helps, but if you don’t acclimate at all before getting out on the mountains you’re going to struggle. Well, 90% of people will struggle. Because of the lack of oxygen. For many people it takes time for their bodies to adjust, if you don’t allow for that time you may suffer for it! Even going from 8,000 or 10,000 elevation up to a big mountain will be jarring. If you can be there a few days ahead to acclimate that can help.
Full moon would be gorgeous. The crowd was a bit much, though.
Health care workers and police all know too well the effects a full moon can have.
thanks, very helpful video, take care!
This is one of my favorite video sets from your channel. It got me thinking though about another kind of trip that you could do. I would love to have you go on a substantial long hike without doing all the filming. Go and be a typical hiker. Bring only your phone. Take some vids and pics like most hikers do as you go. No setting up the camera and doing walk by vids and then walking back and all that. Try to really pair down your equipment to as light as possible. I was thinking the Vermont Long trail would be a good trip for something like this. It's very rugged and almost all trail. It is comparable to southern Maine in toughness, especially north of the AT/LT junction. It is super beautiful. I believe it is the oldest hiking footpath in the country. This would be a great trip to lighten your load and experience a trail in a different kind of way then how you normally do. You could still do your pre and post videos and I think the post video would be great to hear how your experience was without stopping and filming so much and what it is like having a substantially lighter load. The trail culture on the Long Trail is great too. Go South to North ending at the Canadian boarder that way you do the easier part first and you get both LT and AT hikers for the first 100 miles. Once north of the LT/AT junction it is a totally different vibe. I loved it as it is now only LT hikers and you get that comeradity. The shelters on the Long trail are awesome too, even if you don't stay in them. They are great to check out and take breaks at if nothing else. I would love to see you do this trail. I did it in 17 days with no zeros in 2019. I also thru hiked the AT in 2016 I would plan on around 3 weeks. I hope you do it one way or another. The only other recommendation I would have for it is to do it starting in late August or early September. No bugs and the best weather window. It can still get cold at night, but also can be very warm. Do it……
Dixie, would a small oxygen bottle have helped you? There are small scuba bottles very reasonably priced.
If that reading of 86% oxygen was correct, then that was very low actually. Definitely something to be careful of. Great video!
If you ever decide to go back to Tanzania I would suggest to contact non profit Africa Amini Alama near Meru and Arusha in Masai tribal area . I did some video work for them about 10 years ago, don't have any affiliation. They have a hospital, orphanage and school support programs. They also used to organize safari, including Kilimanjaro trekking. All money go into their non profit programs to support kid's education and more. Like I said, it not a promotion of any kind just an info. You can Google them if you like.
I like flying tired. Some people can’t sleep on a plane but I can. If I’m tired I just pass out and wake up at the other end like it was a Time Machine 🤗❤️
Altitude sickness can be dangerous. Even young, healthy, athletes can be fine for one trip and then suffer Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) on the next. AMS has nothing to do with your physical fitness. Worse, AMS can progress to HAPE or HACE, which are fatal unless you book it back down the mountain. I've seen a YouTuber recording video on a certain popular summit with textbook symptoms of HACE: stumbling (ataxia), slurring, confusion, etc. Only the fact that one of their off-camera friends urged them to descend saved their life. So, acclimatize properly!
I think you should do the A.T. again. That's back when it was fun. Meeting new ppl and enjoying the trip!
How is your Stellate ganglion reboot enduring?
How is your Stellate ganglion reboot enduring?
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Are there any long-distance trails in Africa that are similar in length to the CDT/AT/PCT? I know a guy who rode a bicycle the entire length of the continent from North to South, but haven't seen or read much about any similar hiking treks. Be well, and stay safe.
A cheaper alternative to simulating altitude would be an altitude mask.
Kpap: used gear for a good use. Nice.
I have thought of those waterproof socks, vapor barriers (bread bags). Pretty popular in harsh cold.
Ha! Got the full moon! Nice!
Oh man..I get jet lagged. I would have needed a couple days prior.
Great information Dixie. I have heard there are hikes for people raising money for orphanages over there. Not sure what cost are but I think the bonus is knowing you are hiking to support a great cause.
Hey I live in auburn alabama!! Whats your favorite trail close to our area?
I think when it comes to "waterproof" shoes, look into hiking sneakers that have a neoprene layer, there aren't many, but it's basically a wetsuit for your feet. Warm when dry and warm when wet. I have Merrell low ankle hiking sneakers like that and love them
Altitude adaptation is significantly genetic. You either have it or you don't. You can't change your parents. That being said, hydration is also critically important, and nothing can take the place of allowing enough time to acclimate. This is why I did not use a guide in Nepal. On my own schedule, I was able to take my time, and allow for bad weather days, illness, or just fatigue. Twice over 18K, 3 times above 17.5K with no problems. But then I've also done over a dozen Colorado 14ers and live at 7K, so some clear advantages. You can't force your body to acclimate, it's going to do it on its own schedule, whether you like it or not.