Stig Nygaard / Foter / CC BY

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is something many people dream about doing for years. It is especially enticing to those who make a lifetime hobby out of mountain climbing and wish to be able to die knowing they successfully reached the top ofone of the mountains that is the hardest to climb. There are many useful tips for any who novice is attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Choosing An Operator

The first step in the process for any novice climber is to find an operator. This means finding someone who regularly supervises the climbing of Mount Kilimanjaro. Operators are always guides who have a great deal of experience in climbing mountains. They are an invaluable part of the rock climbing experience and are there to help novices through every step of the process of scaling this mountain. People who are looking for advice and guidance before they even choose an operator can refer to exploring this rock in order to obtain information about both mountain climbing and camping. A big part of the experience of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is camping at various points along the way. An operator can help novices learn more about rock climbing and camping.

Choosing The Correct Route

There is more than one route that can be taken to reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. On average, the routes most commonly used by rock climbers take from five to eight days to complete.

Making The Climb

Everyone who climbs Mount Kilimanjaro climbs it in groups of four or more people. Each group must have a support crew ranging in size from 10 people to 16 people. Climbers themselves are only expected to carry personal items such as bottled water, a camera and rain gear while the porters carry everything else. For the first few days of the climb; after between five and eight hours, the group stops somewhere for the night. Each climber in the group is able and encouraged to travel at a pace that is comfortable to them.

Once the group has stopped at a camp site for the night, dinner is prepared for everyone. After a night of rejuvenating sleep, the group eats breakfast and heads out again to resume the climb.

Surviving Summit Day

The second to last day of the climb is Summit Day. The evening before summit day, climbers go to bed early so they can be awake again by midnight in order to resume the last part of the journey. Once the climb resumes, for the next five to six hours climbers tackle the toughest part. This is when they have arrived at the sections of the mountain that are the most challenging of all. One of the reasons this is the most challenging part of the climb that is this is where the altitude is the hardest to handle. By sunrise, most groups of climbers have gotten close to the summit of the mountain. Generally the last two hours of the climb consist of walking in the snow as the group comes closer to the mountain’s peak.

Once climbers have reached the top they are given some time to enjoy being there before beginning the descent. Approximately six hours after leaving the top of the mountain, climbers come to their campsite for the final night of the journey. The next day climbers generally spend four to five hours traveling back to the base of the mountain.

Following this guide will help any novice successfully climb Mount Kilimanjaro. As long as one is properly prepared for the climb, it can be a thrilling experience.