Should YOU climb Kilimanjaro?

Climbing Kilimanjaro is not easy, but it is not impossible for the average person to make it to the top!  If you want a vacation that is challenging, rewarding, and truly a once in a lifetime experience, Kilimanjaro is your destination.  Nothing compares to standing at 19,340 feet knowing that it was your feet, your effort, your spirit that got you there!  I've yet to see someone do it with a dry eye.

Should you attempt Kilimanjaro?  First consider if you have any pre-existing medical conditions - these do not necessarily mean that you cannot or should not climb, but you will have to be very careful to select an outfitter that can meet your needs.  Talk to your doctor - many conditions can be accommodated for on the mountain and good outfitters offer plenty of safety options to consider and will discuss these with you at length.  You should be of average health and fitness before you attempt to climb the mountain, and regardless of what shape you are in you should absolutely plan to train for Kilimanjaro (more on that in an upcoming post). Keep in mind, KiliBound Adventures aims to get the average joe to the top and provides climbers with as many of the comforts of home on the mountain as possible.

Once you consider whether or not you are in decent enough shape to climb, think back to any of your experiences at high altitude.  The hardest part about Kilimanjaro is not the hiking itself, but the hiking in high altitudes. You can climb the mountain in as little as 5 days, but the success rate tends to be around 50%.  Altitude sickness is the result of climbing too high, too fast, with too high a level of exertion (to sum it up).  Many people do not attempt Kili due to fears about altitude - however, if approached correctly you can climb the mountain in a way that maximizes your ability to acclimatize.  We highly recommend the Lemosho route - it takes 9 days (7 up, 2 down), and was designed by the famous mountaineer, Scott Fischer, to maximize acclimatization   Our success rate on that route is 100%, so far!

You must consider the financial aspects of climbing.  Flights to Tanzania typically run between $1200-$1800.  You will likely need to purchase a few new pieces of gear, take at least a week and a half to two weeks of work, and pay for your climb.  Climbs run anywhere from $1,200 - $10,000!  Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, and be equally wary of excessively high climb costs. There are many outfitters to chose from, we suggest that you call and speak with an owner or manager of the outfitter about their costs and the services that they offer for that price. More about choosing your outfitter to come.

In our experience the vast majority of climbers find Kilimanjaro to be worth every ounce of their physical and financial investment.  The emotional payoff is indescribable! We cannot all climb Everest, but most of us can climb Kilimanjaro!

Whether or not you climb with us, CLIMB KILIMANJARO! "Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing." - Helen Keller.  We agree, Helen!