[Closed] Kilimanjaro

Did it about 15 years ago. Hard because not much time to get used to the altitude, something like 3 days up, 2 down, which isn't enough. I've also walked in Nepal where you get more time to get used to the lack of oxygen.
But well worth it. We got to the top for sun raise but it was very cold!

I think I'm more worried of being kidnapped, or eaten by something cat like

Isnt it like £200 for a permit to climb it these days?

In addition, you MUST have porters/guides, the authorities won't let you climb without 🙁

well we'll see what comes of it 😕

I did it 2 years ago and it was worth every penny. Anybody thinking of doing it should consider going through my pals company [url= http://www.360-expeditions.com/ ]360 Expeditions[/url]. You might recognise Raj from the celebrity Red Nose Climb.

There are many routes on the mountain with some being far more scenic than others, and also offering better acclimatisation. Best leaving around 7 days to reach the summit comfortably so check with who ever is organising it. Porters and park fees are usually always included in any package price.

I did the Lemosho route round the western part of the mountain which climbs up onto the Shira Plateau before heading east at Lava Tower round Kibo and up the usual scree slope to Stella point on the crater rim.

I'm going again next year with a few friends as I loved it that much. I'd love to decend it on a DH bike though, but park authorities don't allow anything other than walking now.

Is the dead leopard still there? Frozen, close to one of the summits?

(Forgotten which - too long ago.)

Do it if you want to. Raise funds if you want to but don't do something like this as a fundraiser. Its a very inefficient way of raising money .

Do it if you want to. Raise funds if you want to but don't do something like this as a fundraiser. Its a very inefficient way of raising money .

That doesn't really answer the question though!

But to answer you, If work are going to foot the bill (and I don't really know the ins and outs at present) then it isn't an inefficient way at all.

It still is paul. spending £1000 to raise £1000 or whatever.

No, somebody spending £1000, that they're not going to give to charity, that inturn helps raise £1000.

It's different.

Ha ha this old stupid chestnut arguement! 😀

Thats like saying running a business is an inefficient way to raise money. Spend £1000 on stock to raise £1000 profit. Rubbish! Might as well give £1000 straight to the suppliers and tax man.

Get my point? If it was that inefficient then the charities themselves would not endorse this type of fundraising! In fact, they encourage it BIG time! Its all to do with marketing. Besides it might cost £1000 but somebody might fundraise £15000 from it. I know people that have by simply putting a little thought into it.

Besides from a business point of view, spending £1000 to raise £1000 profit would be a pretty special business to own. So don't talk crap!

I didnt see the Leopard on the way up. 😉 I read in a book that it was just a legend, and the book also showed a photo of the Leopard lying frozen in the snow, but the photo could have been taken in Hampshire for all anyone knows. Elephant bones are found above 15,000 feet though. What on earth was it running from? (The leopard maybe???)

One of my mates did it about 10-15 years ago, doing one of the less touristy routes. He said its more of a walk than a serious climb, but the altitude was the hardest problem. They didnt need guides when they did it back in the day.

Would thoroughly recomend combining it with a trip to the Ngorongoro Crater too.

If you are in the area, and want a real challenge, walk around the streets of Arusha.... now thats scary!

I'd have thought that there is plenty of info about it after the recent accent by the comic relief celebs.

I climbed Kili in October last year.

I can echo a few things said above, mainly that it is for the most part an easy walk (and a very slow one at that) with the hardest challenge coming from altitude sickness. The NP fee is US$740 and you can expect to pay around the same again for porters and a guide.

Yes the views from the crater rim at dawn are pretty special but you are too cold and feel too grim to really enjoy it. In my opinion this didn't compensate for the rest of the hike which was uneventful.

We ascended by the Rongai route which was more scenic than the direct Marangu (hut) route and also allowed us more time to acclimatise. As a result 9 out of group of 10 reached the summit which is considerably higher than the norm.

It was not my choice to climb Kili, it was a memorial hike to remember a friend. Mount Kenya would be a more interesting, more technical and quieter hike or save some dosh and do come mountaineering in the Alpes.

If you do go to Kili don't make the mistake of only flying into and out of Tanzania to do the climb. Take another week off to see more of the country and get a flavour of East Africa. A local safari or a trip to Zanzibar would be good.