The Facts of Kilimanjaro

Location

Tanzania, East Africa: Kilimanjaro lies 330km (205 miles) (3 degrees) south of the equator. Kilimanjaro lies within the 756-square-kilometer Kilimanjaro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Size

Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and the world’s highest free-standing mountain, rising 4, 600m (15,100 feet) from the base to summit.

Elevation

5,895 meters (19,340 feet) Uhuru peak is the highest summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

7 Summits

4th Highest of the sought after 7 Summits

Kilimanjaro is made up of 3 volcanoes

Shira 3,962 meters (13,000 feet) – the first volcano to become extinct

Mawenzi 5,149 meters (16,896 feet) – the second volcano of the three to become extinct. Mawenzi is Hans Meyer Point, which can only be reached by mountaineers.

Kibo 5,895 meters (19,340 feet) - Kibo remains active as a dormant active volcano -t he last major eruption was 360,000 years ago, while the most recent activity was only 200 years ago. Apparently there a strong smell of sulphur that still comes from the inner ash pit (I’ll let you know if this is true!)

After reaching a height thought to be 5900 meters during its last major eruption, Kibo has been eroded by glaciers, rivers and landslides to its present height of 5895m.

Glaciers

Recently scientists discovered that Kibo is losing glaciers due to global warming and could perhaps be completely gone in less than 20 years.

Ecosystems

Kilimanjaro boasts virtually every major ecosystem in earth: rain forest, heath, moorland, alpine desert and glaciers. (I’ll update the blog with photos to show you all 5)

Routes

Marangu Route (Coca-Cola Route)

Machame Route (Whiskey Route)

Rongai Route

Lemosho Route

Mweka Route (usually used only to descend)

First Ascent

October 5, 1889 by Hans Meyer, geographer (Germany), Yoanas Kinyala Lauwo (Tanzania), and Ludwig Purtscheller, mountain climber (Austria)

Fastest Ascent

The fastest verified ascent time was by Italian Bruno Brunod in 2001. He climbed Uhuru Peak from Marangu Gate in 5 hours, 38 minutes, and 40 seconds.

The fastest round-trip time was by local guide Simon Mtuy who ran up and down on December 26, 2004 in 8 hours and 27 minutes – and we’re taking 7 days to do it!

Technical climbing skills & training

Climbing Kilimanjaro is comparatively easy and requires no technical climbing or experience. You do have to be “trekking fit” and a regime of 2 months intensive training is recommended.

Acclimatisation

The biggest challenge is at high altitude and your ability to acclimatise. It is highly recommended to take an extra day on the mountain to achieve this.

Most people who are unsuccessful in their attempts to summit are failing not due to fitness but in fact due to altitude sickness.

Guides & Porters

It is mandatory to climb with a licensed guide and have porters carry your equipment. This sustains the local tourism economy and in my post in costs, I have mentioned the $150 compulsory tip per guide (currently recommended).

Origin of the name Kilimanjaro

This is still disputed – so no one really knows. Some people believe the name comes from the Kiswahili name, Kilima meaning mountain.

Teen Biking Trips

A view from the road on our coast-to-coast bike trip - the American Challenge.

In my first post I suggested that parents give their son or daughter the Overland catalog and ask him or her to have a look to see what looks interesting.

In this post, I’ll assume your son or daughter has expressed an interest in a biking trip. First off, talk about what a bike trip is like: you move from place to place, camping most nights and preparing meals outside. You get great exercise, and you see a lot – even our shortest bike trips cover over 200 miles and our longest covers over 3000 miles. Want more info? Read this FAQ page or give us a call… five of our office staff have led bike trips!

Then consider how much time you have. If you’re looking for two weeks away look closely at Cape Cod & the Islands and Vermont; if you have three weeks consider New England Coast and Nova Scotia & Acadia; four weeks: Pacific Coast, Paris to the Sea and European Challenge. Six weeks: The American Challenge.

Think about each trip’s challenge level (each trip is rated on a scale of 1-10, 1 is easiest). For example, Cape Cod & the Islands is rated a 2; Vermont is a 4; New England Coast and Nova Scotia & Acadia are both 5’s; Pacific Coast and Paris to the Sea are both 6’s; European Challenge is a 9 and the American Challenge is a 10.

Finally, keep in mind that no matter where you go on a bike trip with Overland that you’ll be in a small group of kids your own age with two dynamic leaders (who will keep you safe and pointed in the right direction). Bike trips naturally lend themselves to cohesive groups; there’s a real sense of adventure and discovery, the camping is comfortable (lots of hot showers) and the meals are fresh and plentiful.

For an adventurous 7th to 12th grader looking for a summer program that offers the fun and friendship of camp, the adventure and exploration of active travel and the challenge and satisfaction of daily physical demands, a bike trip with Overland is the way to go next summer.