Prepare to Climb Kilimanjaro – Recommended and Best Ways to Use
Twenty Best Ways on How to Prepare to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
Read this article with all your might focus if you’re thinking about climbing to the peak and how to prepare to climb Kilimanjaro in general. Everest and Kilimanjaro have been on my bucket list for a long time. One of our guides has climbed more than 500 peaks, and our chief guide has climbed more than 250 times. We want people to get the most accurate information possible when determining how to approach the Kilimanjaro summit. The following are our top 20 preparation approaches for mounting Kilimanjaro.
Prepared for Kilimanjaro Ascent
The following is a ranking of the most important ways to prepare for the hike up Mount Kilimanjaro. Begin your preparations for ascending Kilimanjaro by reading our TOP 50 Kilimanjaro hiking Tips.
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Giving Yourself Plenty of Time
Some people can climb Kilimanjaro in as little as six or seven days. At five, six, seven, and eight days, people have scaled Kilimanjaro. According to our extensive experience and observations of thousands of people who have attempted to mount Kilimanjaro, 40% of climbers fail to make it to the top. A minimum of eight days on the mountain is required to increase your chances of reaching the summit. With our unique program and 4,900meter or 16,076 feet of Kosovo Camp, you’ll be ready to take on Mount Killi and get to the top. The vast majority of the time, our eight-day ascension plans work flawlessly.
If you’ve ever wanted to stand atop the world’s tallest freestanding mountain, Kilimanjaro is your only bet. Since acclimatization is essential, why would you skip out on it and risk ruining your chances of reaching the summit? The expense of each day on the mountain is much higher, but saving money is of little benefit if you are unable to reach the summit in a bid to spend fewer days. At the very least, you should spend eight days on the mountain. The risk of experiencing Acute Mountain Sickness increases if you fall below this threshold. The priority for preparing to climb mt Kilimanjaro in your list should be to get used to the new environment.
2. Exercises to Build Strength and Endurance
When it comes to how to prepare for Kilimanjaro climb, it is essential to have a certain level of physical fitness. A weighted backpack and increasing the weight you carry concentrate on our training in high altitude mountaineering, and carrying twice as much weight before mounting Killi is a good idea. Additionally, you must gradually increase your heart rate to sustain an endurance-based heart rate for an hour and a half each day throughout your daily workout. Learn More.
Your weekly hiking time should grow from three to eight hours. Kilimanjaro’s steep slopes necessitate hill walking, which you’ll need to do. Your weekend hike’s elevation should gradually increase from 500 meters or 1,640 feet to 1,000 meters or 3,280 feet. There must be a progressive build-up over months.
Stair master equipment at the gym or a flight of steps must be used whenever possible if you do not have access to hills. If you’d like to learn more about our specific training suggestions for Kilimanjaro, you may visit this article on our website. To put it another way, you’re not running a marathon; you’re going up and down mountains in low-oxygen conditions. Find out more about downhill running training.
Preparing to climb Kilimanjaro requires that you build up your endurance and leg strength. People who don’t have enough time on the mountain to acclimatize and don’t practice Kilimanjaro-specific training are more likely to fail to reach the summit than those who do.
3. Recognize the Elevation Gains You Make Each Day
Knowing how much elevation you’ll gain each day on Kilimanjaro is critical to factor that into your ‘prepare to climb Kilimanjaro’ schedule. Look at it this way. For a successful Kilimanjaro ascent, you need to know the daily distances and elevation increases for each day of your excursion. Training is required to climb 1,640 feet per day and carry a six-kilogram or a 13-pound backpack on the trail.
As part of our trips, we try to reach the summit from the Kosovo Camp of 4,900 meters or 16,080 feet. As a result, the ascent and descent on your summit night will be almost a mile long. The final 1,800 meters to Mweka Camp are reached after a short break. Find out more about downhill training.
When going up and down these types of inclines, you must practice this way of training beforehand. Carrying more weight helps you build more muscular legs and muscles to work out with 30-50% less oxygen. Hiking and other activities that involve a lot of elevation gain can help you prepare for the climb. Remember that the daily elevation gains are essential for trip planning.
4. Organize an Effective Training Plan
How can you develop an effective training program if you live in a big city? This is when your gym membership will come in handy. It’s neither a perfect representation of the terrain of Kilimanjaro nor a replica. But it will be the best training imaginable without hills! Using an incline trainer while wearing a backpack to carry weight for several hours is an excellent way to burn calories and a good exercise for the prepare to climb Kilimanjaro goal. A lot of time on the StairMaster increased Ian’s load when he was training to conquer Kilimanjaro and Everest for the very first time.
The optimal heart rate for activity varies from person to person. Ian’s goal is to keep his heart rate at 140 beats per minute in his forties. He prefers to keep his heart rate between 125 and 150 beats per minute when doing this type of endurance training. Consult a personal trainer or gym instructor to determine your training zones, which differ from person to person.
Consider doing weight training for both your upper and lower body. The final few months of preparing to climb mount Kilimanjaro should include yoga or flexibility exercises and interval training. Keep in mind that the best way to prepare and train is to access mountains and hills.
5. Your Expedition Could be Ruined Because of Poor Equipment
Make sure you’ve dressed appropriately as you prepare to climb Kilimanjaro. Unfortunately, we can’t recall how often we’ve seen hikers in jeans and sneakers at the Kilimanjaro entrance gate, only to have it rain for two days and force them to wait for evacuation at the Shira 2 ranger station. Being dressed in the proper outfit is essential. Layering Merino Wool T-shirts is something we highly recommend. Comfortable sleeping bags and high-quality air mattresses are also essential for the ascent. The right equipment is essential for a safe and enjoyable hike up Kilimanjaro.
A high-quality down jacket is also a must-have piece of supplies. Please view our video for additional information on the best down jacket for Kilimanjaro. Our Kilimanjaro packing is seen in this video. This video was shot in 2013, and we’ll soon be releasing a new one. Our trips come with a complete equipment list in a 40-page booklet that you’ll receive if you sign up.
If you have any questions or concerns, we’re here to help. Send us an email if you have a question about a piece of equipment and want our opinion. We can help you get the right gear and outfit. On the mountain, we use only the best tents and equipment available. Mountain Hard Wear four-person tents are used for two people, and a North Face two-person tent is used for one person.
6. Choosing the Right Boots for Hiking
Shoes for hiking don’t have uniform sizing. The La Sportiva Trango TRK made of leather GTX is our current favorite boot after trying various others throughout the years. A great all-around boot, they are warm, breathable, and light, a perfect fit to prepare to climb Kilimanjaro with. They offer a firmer sole and superb ankle support. Listed below are the expedition boots that we recommend for your Kilimanjaro ascent.
When putting on your hiking boots, our most crucial piece of advice is to wear them for 20 minutes in the store while wearing the various types of socks you will be using on Kilimanjaro. Using the store’s steps and a slanted ramp to get to the boots is a great way to get a custom fit for the footwear. It would be best if you took your time to get the proper hiking boots because some of them are thin.
It would help if you put the boots to use as soon as you have them. When working out in the gym, you don’t have to use them constantly. As a precaution, wear them about the home to make sure they fit your feet appropriately and aren’t too big or too small. Purchase and break in your hiking boots in preparation. Kilimanjaro expeditions will be more enjoyable if this is in place.
7. When Refueling During the Hike & and How-To
We’ve learned the hard way when it comes to your prepare to climb Kilimanjaro journey. As a result, you’ll need to eat various foods before and during the trip. We strongly recommend that you bring a solid immune system with you. As a general rule, we recommend carrying a multivitamin and supplements such as garlic supplement, beta carotene, vitamin C, and B complex before and during a hiking trip.
Always consult with your doctor or a nutritionist before taking any additional supplements. We like to bring hydration tablets and hyper-hydration tablets for the water and the summit night. We’d be happy to continue this conversation with you if you’d like. In addition, we advise carrying food that can fit in a zip-lock bag. Clif Blocks and a small quantity of footpath mix are all that we pack for the summit night.
Three-course meals are served each day on an Ian Taylor Trekking tour. An excellent chef aids our climbs; a chef and four to six support staff members prepare delectable meals every day. We’ve developed a daily meal plan for the last ten years on Kilimanjaro. It would be best if you ate well while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Some runners climb the mountain regularly to bring in fresh meat and vegetables.
8. Verify Your Immunization Status
The vast majority of people will be able to fly to Tanzania without requiring any vaccinations. Visitors from countries with a Yellow Fever history must have a Yellow Fever vaccination before entering Tanzania. It is important to them that Tanzania remain free of Yellow Fever. If you are going from a country where Yellow Fever is prevalent, you will be required to show confirmation of your vaccination. You do not need to show proof of vaccination if you are traveling from a country that does not have Yellow Fever, such as Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, or the United Kingdom.
There is no doubt that you should think about taking medicine to help avoid malaria. To avoid mosquito bites in Tanzania, you must take considerable precautions. There are several drugs that your doctor will recommend taking on your Prepare to Climb Kilimanjaro itinerary. All recommended medications are listed in our 40-page dossier, supplied to new hikers upon enrolment.
9. What a Day on the Mountain Looks Like
The raw footage from each day of the Lemosho Route ascent of Kilimanjaro is available for your perusal: On the first day, hike through the rain forest to the 2,800-meter or 9,186-feet summit of Big Tree Camp. After descending from Shira Camp 1 at 3,500 meters or 11,500 feet on the Shira Plateau, we’ll ascend to Shira Camp 2 on Day 2.
The Shira Plateau is awe-inspiring on Day 3. A short distance after crossing the emergency evacuation road, we reach Shira Camp 2 at 3,900m or 12,800 feet. When the sun sets behind the Shira Volcano, the view back down to the caldera is particularly stunning. We’ll be traversing two ridgelines to the Lava Tower at 4,600 meters on Day 4 from Shira Camp 2. Then we descend 700 meters to the 3,900-meter Baranco Camp, where we enjoy a delicious lunch before reaching there.
We’ll be crossing Kilimanjaro to Karanga Camp at 4,010 meters or 13,280 feet the next day, on Day 5. After a four-hour hike to High Camp, you’ll be ready for the grueling summit night and day on Day 6.
Watch as you set off at midnight to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro by 7 a.m. on Day 7. Afterward, we’ll rest, pack our gear, and eat breakfast before continuing our descent to Mweka camp at 3,100 meters or 10,400 feet. It’s been a long day. Keep track of the eighth day and the last descent to the Mweka Gate via the rainforest.
10. The 50 Best Tips for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
We’ve put up our Top 50 Tips to ensure a safe, successful, and enjoyable experience for hiking Mount Kilimanjaro. We began with our Top 10 Tips eight years ago and have since grown to our Top 50 Tips. This guide was put together to ensure that you have as much information as possible before scaling the mountain.
Recommendations like these have stood the test of time, and are important as you prepare to climb Kilimanjaro. There are two key reasons people fail to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, and we cannot stress them enough. The short acclimation period is the main problem. Secondly, there is a lack of specialized training essential to succeed and remain safe. However, when planning your Kilimanjaro trip, there are extra considerations to consider.
11. Kilimanjaro’s Need for Hydration
More water is needed at higher altitudes. In the same way, you should get in the habit of drinking more water before your trip. We recommend drinking at least 4 to 5 liters of water per day when hiking the mountains. Hydration is essential in locations where oxygen levels are low. Keep hydrated, avoid the sun and protect yourself from skin damage by following these simple steps to keep yourself safe from sunburn. All of these things must be considered before beginning your climb up Mount Kilimanjaro. Wear a hat and stay hydrated at all times.
Before we begin our hike at 8 a.m. each day, we strive to drink one liter of water. Fill your bladder hydration system with water over breakfast, and you’ll be ready for the day’s travel. As a result, you should have drunk three liters of water by lunchtime. A few more liters of water can be obtained after lunch, so you’ll have plenty for the afternoon climb. For lunch and dinner, Kilimanjaro will give hot soup, which will help you stay hydrated. You should drink at least 4 to 5 liters of water each day by 5 p.m. You won’t have to stay up drinking till the wee morning hours, and you’ll sleep better at night.
12. Reasons for a Slow Pace
For all who prepare to climb Kilimanjaro with us, it is good to note that we’ve developed a pace that helps our teams perform at their best and keep your heart rate as low as possible when ascending Kilimanjaro. All that matters is the right pace; our guides are well-versed in the ins and outs of Kilimanjaro. It means you can’t just show up without doing any preparedness. An experienced and often well-equipped climber is required for this challenge.
It’s much more difficult to descend the mountain than climb it. Leg strength and endurance are essential. To prepare for your Kilimanjaro ascent, we are here to help. It’s imperative to keep a steady pace at high altitudes. As an example, picture yourself working out at sea level. After a hard workout, you can relax at home and replenish your body’s oxygen supply with 100 percent pure oxygen. Taking a rest day at sea level allows your body and muscles to recover so that you can train the next day again.
Because fewer than half of the oxygen reaches your muscles above 5,500 meters or 18,000 feet on Kilimanjaro, every day on the mountain must be spent reducing damage. To ensure your safety and success, you must keep your pulse rate as low as possible when moving. Our goal is to get from point A to point B as quickly and efficiently as possible. Maintaining a modest heart rate is essential. Daily, try to keep muscle damage to a minimum. Slowly acclimatizing to Kilimanjaro is the best way to ensure your safety when climbing and descending. It’s Pole Pole !
13. We Treat Our Workers with Respect and Honor
According to the official record, Kilimanjaro’s most extraordinary Mountain Guide is Ian Taylor Trekking. Use the best team you can find to help you get to the top. Every member of our team receives customized help as they prepare to climb Kilimanjaro and as they ascend the great mountain. We always have additional guides and staff on every tour. Over the years, the makeup of our team has changed and evolved. The same team has been working on the mountain for us for ten years. Some of our porters have become guides thanks to our help. Some of our employees have gone on Himalayan treks and climbs with us in the past.
We know every one of the staff, and they know us. We’ve been training our staff for years, and we’ll continue to do so. Additional benefits include higher wages and training for our employees and guides and an investment in their future. Ask a member of our team for help. Despite the higher cost, this is the only option because we only want to run ethical, high-quality excursions that benefit our employees and their families. Hundreds of locals approach us each month to inquire about joining our mountaineering team.
14. Always Have a Supply of Oxygen with you
On Kilimanjaro, you’ll need everyday access to oxygen and extra oxygen for use at higher elevations. To be clear, taking oxygen while climbing the mountain will only bring you down; it will not help you ascend it. One bottle of oxygen is provided for every five people. This must be carried with you at all times during the ascent. Other guides frequently ask if they may use our oxygen because they forgot to bring any for their visitors, which is unusual on Kilimanjaro.
You should not join a group that does not have bottled oxygen for your Kilimanjaro trek. Unless someone is in immediate danger, this will only be utilized in an emergency. Your heart rate and oxygen levels should be checked twice a day for your treatment. Breakfast and dinner are when we check your oxygen saturation levels to see how well your body is adapting to the lack of oxygen on Kilimanjaro and how much danger you are taking. This must be a priority from the very moment you prepare to climb Kilimanjaro and at the beginning of the trip.
15. Emergency Pathways on Kilimanjaro
Is it possible to flee in an emergency via the route chosen? The Lemosho Route on Kilimanjaro is the most incredible way to get out of the mountain in an emergency. This evacuation path separates Shira Camps 1 and 2 by 3,500 meters or 11,482 feet. We’ve determined that between 3,500 and 4,500 meters, more acclimatization is preferable to less acclimatization. Every one of our trips to Mount Kilimanjaro includes additional nights to ensure that you have the best chance of reaching the summit.
Because we have access to the Lemosho Route, we use it. Our walks on the western side of Kilimanjaro include flying doctor care, and we’ll get you off the mountain as quickly as possible if you get hurt. This is a high altitude, and if you cannot adjust to the lack of oxygen in your body, you will be able to notice actual indicators on our excursions. A medical facility can easily be reached if you need to be rescued from the mountain using this road. Before climbing Kilimanjaro, this is a critical safety factor to keep in mind.
16. Making Use of Significant Assistance On the Summit Night
During your peak ascent, you should have one-on-one assistance. In some cases, we are called upon to help others on Kilimanjaro. When they encounter challenges, we must help our hikers because many teams don’t offer much support. Each team has ten members unless Ian Taylor is leading the trip. Smaller groups enhance safety on Kilimanjaro while each climber will be accompanied by a guide or support crew member on summit night. This backup is essential if you or a team member is in pain and needs to descend the mountain quickly. This safety measure is essential to reduce your chances of dying when climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and is always prioritized for all hikers as they prepare to climb Kilimanjaro.
17. A Maximum of Ten Participants for Each Team
As a result of the smaller size of the climbing parties, you will receive better service and have the opportunity to voice any issues you may have while on the mountain. Being a member of a smaller group allows you to have more direct contact with our knowledgeable staff and tour guides. Having a deeper understanding of your personality and identifying altitude-related issues can allow them to serve you better.
Our mentors will see small changes in your behavior immediately and are trained to react quickly. Kilimanjaro is a better experience when you’re part of a smaller group. We’ve found that a team of fewer than ten people is more efficient, enjoyable, and effective for each member.
18. Seek the Help of Professionals
When making a decision, you should put your safety first. When planning a trip, you’ll want to rely on the advice of experts. Individuals who have climbed Kilimanjaro on every route, in every season, and assisted more than 3,000 people to the summit are vital for their expertise and should be consulted for all hikes who prepare to climb Kilimanjaro successfully. You’ll have access to Ian Taylor Trekking staff members who have summited Kilimanjaro multiple times, five days a week. All of your questions and concerns will be addressed. In the same way, we are ready to support you with our experienced first-hand knowledge and excellent training guidance. This could be the difference between a successful outcome and an unsuccessful one.
19. The Importance of Proper Breathing Techniques
Hiking at high altitudes necessitates the use of suitable breathing techniques. It’s much easier to show than to explain in words. Whenever oxygen levels are low, you must saturate your system with it. Inhaling deeply through the nose and exhaling swiftly through the mouth are the two main techniques used in this method. Let’s look at it this way. When climbing Kilimanjaro, your muscles and body are depleted of oxygen; thus, you must drive the oxygen into your system.
It’s unnecessary to do this at every step, and the frequency varies from the first day until summit night. Because this technique necessitates a high level of focus, it is a best practice both in the gym and on the mountain. With this strategy employed during the nighttime ascent of the peak, you will ensure that your vital organs receive enough oxygen to reach the summit and safely return home.
20. Get in Touch with Our Experts Right Away!
As you prepare to climb Kilimanjaro, please get in touch with us for any questions or concerns.. Call us if you need our help. It is important to remember that we are located in the Mountain Time Zone, as we are in the state of Colorado (-7 GMT). All the information you need for your Kilimanjaro climb is available from us. Ian Taylor Trekking taught thousands of people to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Personal training of our staff has been an essential part of our success for many years now.
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