What to do during a Kilimanjaro climb

Pole pole!  That is Kiswahili for “slow and steady” and you will hear it day in, day out. It’s the single most important thing to keep in mind during the climb. You will be surprised when you see just HOW slow your guides make you walk. Everything on Kilimanjaro happens in slow motion.

Soon you will notice some changes. You stop for a photo and catching up with your group leaves you breathless. Drinking from your camel back while walking becomes an effort. The slow, slow speed does not seem so slow any more.

Do not be tempted into speeding up because others are walking faster. (Serious altitude sickness is more common in groups than it is during private climbs!)

Do you know which group has the lowest success rate? Young males between 20 and 30, exactly the people you think would do the best.  But they overestimate the role of fitness and underestimate the mountain. Often, they feel they have to lead, they want to be the best, they don’t like being overtaken, and being strong and fit makes it easy to walk too fast.

Keep drinking! It’s VERY easy to dehydrate at altitude without noticing. The air is very dry so you breathe off more moisture. Also, your body adjusts to the high altitude by eliminating more water. Keep replacing it.

Also make sure you eat plenty! Most people lose their appetite at altitude, but the cold weather and the long days mean your body burns through a lot of calories. Keep replacing them. You will need them. High carbohydrate foods are better than fatty foods.

And keep warm! The correct gear is a must, not just because shivering isn’t nice and hypothermia dangerous, but also because staying warm will lessen your risk of succumbing to altitude sickness.

Keep your day pack light. Only take what you really need. Every extra kilo needs extra oxygen to carry.