Climbing an enormous mountain certainly doesn't take a lot of equipment, dangerous peril, or even a lot of money. Mount Kilimanjaro is an example of such a mountain that enables the average tourist to climb the entire scale of the mountain without any prior experience in climbing mountains.
The first thing to do before even thinking about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is to get a physical from a physician. While tourists can make the climb without having an incredible body build, they also shouldn't try to do so without at least an average health status. Anyone with certain conditions, such as a late pregnancy, may also want to steer clear from this action due to the risks a high elevation may place on the human body.
There are several different routes that can be taken as well, depending on one's tastes and skill level. Some parts of the mountain are literal deserts, where few plants if any survive the extreme temperature changes. Obviously traversing through weather such as this can be very dangerous, and shouldn't be attempted without a clear expectation of what lies ahead. Other easier routes may contain dense forests and less dramatic climbs.
It is important to pack enough food and water to last the trip and then some- since bad weather has been known to delay some trips up and down Mount Kilimanjaro. In general it takes around 5 days to make the journey, so obviously one's pack of supplies is going to be fairly heavy in the beginning. Even so, the added burden is well worth the sight seeing and the experience.
One thing to keep in mind while at the top is that the oxygen level is quite lower than what it is at the top- with some parts less than half of the normal oxygen level present at the bottom. Less oxygen in the body generally means that the body will need to breathe more to achieve the same pace of work, which can easily result in fatigue. Because of this, it's best to take things slow and enjoy the hike rather than race to the top.
Before planning out a trip, try working out in a gym and make it a goal to be able to carry the weight of the necessary supplies with extreme ease. This is important because carrying the supplies around for days on end can be extremely tiring, and having more muscle will greatly help one's endurance.
Final Thoughts
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a very rewarding experience that almost anyone can do, just don't take the process lightly. Even though it's easier than climbing other mountains, it can still be dangerous and consulting a physician before departing is extremely important.
The first thing to do before even thinking about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is to get a physical from a physician. While tourists can make the climb without having an incredible body build, they also shouldn't try to do so without at least an average health status. Anyone with certain conditions, such as a late pregnancy, may also want to steer clear from this action due to the risks a high elevation may place on the human body.
There are several different routes that can be taken as well, depending on one's tastes and skill level. Some parts of the mountain are literal deserts, where few plants if any survive the extreme temperature changes. Obviously traversing through weather such as this can be very dangerous, and shouldn't be attempted without a clear expectation of what lies ahead. Other easier routes may contain dense forests and less dramatic climbs.
It is important to pack enough food and water to last the trip and then some- since bad weather has been known to delay some trips up and down Mount Kilimanjaro. In general it takes around 5 days to make the journey, so obviously one's pack of supplies is going to be fairly heavy in the beginning. Even so, the added burden is well worth the sight seeing and the experience.
One thing to keep in mind while at the top is that the oxygen level is quite lower than what it is at the top- with some parts less than half of the normal oxygen level present at the bottom. Less oxygen in the body generally means that the body will need to breathe more to achieve the same pace of work, which can easily result in fatigue. Because of this, it's best to take things slow and enjoy the hike rather than race to the top.
Before planning out a trip, try working out in a gym and make it a goal to be able to carry the weight of the necessary supplies with extreme ease. This is important because carrying the supplies around for days on end can be extremely tiring, and having more muscle will greatly help one's endurance.
Final Thoughts
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a very rewarding experience that almost anyone can do, just don't take the process lightly. Even though it's easier than climbing other mountains, it can still be dangerous and consulting a physician before departing is extremely important.
