9th to 17th July 2003 | Tanzania, United Republic of

Conquering Kilimanjaro 2003

Conquering Kilimanjaro Challenge 2003 (Tanzania)

9 days, 6 days trekking.

Kibo Challenge:

9th – 17th July, 2003

Mawenzi Challenge:

6th – 14th August, 2003

This was G4G’s 6th challenge.

Mount Kilimanjaro rises out of the plain to stand as Africa’s highest mountain at 5,895m (19,340 feet). From the summit we had the African Plains stretching out before us – a sight to behold and one to remember.

This six day ‘super trek’ was magical, taking us from the hot, tropical jungles through lush forests to alpine tundra and permanent snow. At over 3,000m acclimatization was critical and the trek was taken at a slow pace, which allows plenty of time to admire the changing landscape. Facilities were to international standards but on the mountain, accommodation was in shared wooden huts. Porters carried all our gear and food, except daily necessities carried in our own day-packs.

Fees & Funds

Registration Fee (non-refundable):

AED 1,500 (US$ 400)

Minimum Fundraising Target:

AED 12,000 (US$ 3,300)

The Charities

The funds raised helped charities in East Africa including a children’s orphanage in Kenya and a village education programme at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Fitness

It was a challenging trek, but achievable by anyone who was reasonably fit and healthy. Walking at altitude can affect anybody but it helps to be fit!

Experience

Not essential.

Accommodation

Wooden A-frame dormitory huts, with accommodation at the three star Marangu Hotel before and after the trek.

Climate

The lower slopes will be generally warm during the day and cold at night. At higher altitudes you need to be prepared for freezing conditions.

Day 1:

Arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi and departed directly by coach for Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (approx. 400kms drive).

Dinner and overnight at the Marangu Hotel.

Day 2:

Remained at the Marangu Hotel to acclimatize at 1,400m. Walked around the village, checked gear and prepared for next day’s start.

Day 3:

Mandara Hut (2,700m) 4 hours

The first day’s climb was an easy one to Mandara Hut through the rain forest. We had a chance to enjoy the verdant scenery, the abundant bird life and colobus monkeys that inhabit this forest.

Day 4:

Horombo Hut (3,720m) 6-7 hours

About half an hour after leaving Mandara Hut, we emerged from the rain forest onto alpine meadow. This was a very pretty climb with splendid views and spectacular vegetation.

Day 5:

Acclimatization Day

Some chose to trek up the mountain a bit higher than the huts and came back down. Others simply relaxed with a book and enjoyed the clean mountain air and superb views (cloud permitting!).

Day 6:

Kibo Hut (4,703m) 6 hours

Medium difficult day to Kibo Hut. The route crossed the saddle between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi and then onto the high altitude desert to the hut.

Early supper and overnight at Kibo hut.

Day 7:

Uhuru Peak (5,895m) 11-12 hours. The big one!

Got up at 1.00am to attempt the summit. The rim of the crater at Gillman’s Point was reached after a steep 6 hour climb up a loose scree slope. From there those who still had energy to spare continued on around the snow-covered rim to the highest point, Uhuru Peak, taking around an extra 3 hours in total. All climbers descended past Kibo to the Horombo Hut for a well-earned overnight rest.

Day 8:

Marangu Hotel

Completed the descent to Marangu Gate via Mandara Hut. Transported to the hotel for celebrations and dinner.

Day 9:

Coached to Nairobi for the flight home.

Climate

Temperatures during the Kilimanjaro trek can range from a humid 26ºC during the first day, to -18ºC on the summit day. Daytime temperatures during the climb are usually 15 – 20°C but at higher altitudes you need to be prepared for freezing conditions. It can be cloudy and even rain at any time of year.

Health

The most important and simple thing you can do to prevent illness is to be properly immunized. Seek advice from your doctor on the necessary immunizations. The trek is described as demanding and reaches altitudes of over 19,000 feet. You need to be fit and healthy to participate.

Altitude sickness can occur but may be minimized by good fitness and “Diamox” tablets. An alternative to Diamox is Ginko, a herbal remedy readily available from Health Shops which has no side effects. It is essential to go slowly and drink a lot of water throughout your trek.

Visas & Passports

Your passport must have more than 6 months validity at the start of your trek. You will need two visas, one for Kenya and one for Tanzania. Please submit a copy of each visa to Gulf for Good.

Kenya: The cost of the visa varies depending on the nationality (most nationalities AED 200, British AED 220 and USA AED 300). It is advisable to obtain your Kenyan Visa before traveling, but bear in mind it is only valid for travel within 3 months of your application. This is issued in advance from Kenyan Airways Office (Al Reem Tower, Al Maktoum Street behind Etisalat, Deira) in Dubai Tel: 229 2111.

You can download the application form from www.kenyaembassy-uae.org

You will need to take the following with you to apply:

Completed form
Payment in cash
Original Passport
One passport photocopy
One passport photograph
Letter from Gulf for Good confirming that you are part of a group trip.

Tanzania: It is advisable to obtain the visa in advance. It is issued same day from the Tanzanian Consulate in Dubai (Nr Clock Tower, Saudi Airlines Office Building, 7th Floor, Flat 701) Tel: 295 7770. Forms are available at the Consulate. The visa is only valid for travel within two months of application.

You will need:

Payment in cash (varies from Dhs 30 – to Dhs 330 so check first)
Original Passport
One passport photocopy
Two passport photographs
Letter from Gulf for Good

Travel & Medical Insurance

Please make sure you have suitable coverage before leaving for East Africa. If you already have a travel/medical insurance policy we will require a photocopy of your card/details on registration. If you require insurance for the high altitude trek we can arrange this for you through Axis Holidays Worldwide. Further details are available on request.

Safety

We take your safety very seriously. It is our first and never forgotten priority. Please listen to your guides and follow their instructions. They are the experts on the mountain and know what they are doing. Gulf for Good has never had a major medical problem – let’s keep it that way!

Respect for the Environment

We maintain a firm commitment to conserve the areas we work in and ask you to do the same. Take only photographs and leave behind only footprints!

What We Supply

Return flight from Dubai plus food and lodging, including hotel accommodation before and after the trek. Don’t expect luxury on the mountain where accommodation is in shared wooden A frame huts. Porters will carry all your gear and food, except daily necessities carried in your own day-pack.

A Typical Day

You will receive a full pre-trek briefing. A normal day on the trek would start at 7.00am with the delivery of a bowl of hot water for washing, to each hut. Breakfast is served in the dining hut and you should be packed up and ready to leave by 8.00 am. The average walk per day varies from one hut to another but is usually 4 – 7 hours apart from the 11 -12 hours trek to the summit and back down to Horombo Hut on Day 7. A picnic lunch is served each day along the route. There is time to relax, socialize, play games or explore the area before dinner and early bed. Washing facilities are limited but there are ablution blocks at each hut (though no water at Kibo).

Special dietary requirements can be catered for with prior notice. Boiled water is provided, however you can buy bottled water at the huts.

Personal Equipment

The key to staying comfortable while climbing is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation. This kit list is provided to help you choose your equipment and clothing for this trip. Extra luggage, including clean clothes to wear home, can be left behind at the hotel. Casual attire is acceptable for Africa. Please limit your duffel bag on the climb to 12 kgs or less. Try to bring only what is necessary as this helps you and our field staff.

The Village Education Project (VEP)

http://www.kiliproject.org/

www.motivation.org.uk

Funds raised through Kilimanjaro 2003 challenge supported 3 projects in Tanzania and Kenya:

Renovation of Matala Primary School on the foothills of Kilimanjaro Read More about Kiliproject…
Providing wheelchairs for people with disabilities in Tanzania Read More about Motivation…
Expansion of Thomas Barnardo “Jonathan Gloag” academy (orphanage) Read More about Thomas Barnardo House…

Trip Essentials

Duffel bags – 2 bags, 1 large enough for all walking gear and clothing. A second bag can be left at the hotel with extra clothing.
Name tags for bags.
Small lock – to lock the zippers together.
Daypack – Large enough to carry your camera, raingear, snacks and warm clothing on the summit day.
Sleeping bag – rated to 0°C.

Outer Wear

Waterproof, breathable jacket – ski jacket or similar.
Waterproof, breathable pants.
Warm pile jacket or pullover, or medium weight insulated jacket.
Light compressible vest or jacket – down or synthetic, for the summit morning and for high camp.
Wind shell.

Footwear

Medium weight hiking boots, good quality, well water-proofed, new and spare laces.
3 pairs of lightweight socks.
2 pairs heavy socks, wool/polyester, worn over lightweight socks.
1 pair running type shoes, or sandals.

Underwear

4 (or more) pairs regular underwear.
1 pair long underwear, light/medium weight, polypro or capilene tops and bottoms.

Pants

1 pair walking shorts, supplex nylon or similar.
1 pair long hiking pants, not cotton.

Shirts

3 T-shirts (or more), preferably quick-dry material.
1 long sleeve shirt, lightweight.
1 long sleeve shirt, warm.

Trekking Accessories

Warm hat and neck gaiter or balaclava.
Gaiters – for summit day (can often be hired at the park gate).
Mittens or warm gloves.
Glove liners.
Sun hat, baseball cap, safari hat or similar (wide brimmed is better).
Collapsible ski poles or trekking pole (optional but highly recommended).
Two of 1 to 1 ½ litre water-bottles.
Toilet paper.
Head lamp, good strong one with spare batteries and an extra light bulb.
Water purification pills or water filter.
Personal first-aid kit.
Sunglasses, good quality dark lenses for the climb, with strap.

General Accessories

Toilet kit (including wet wipes, hand sanitizer, etc.). It is best to bring small trial size containers.
1 medium sized towel.
Bio-degradable soap/shampoo.
Sun screen and lip protection, SPF 15.
Ziploc bags, to protect camera, binoculars etc. from dust.
Small neck pouch for passport and valuables.

Optional Accessories

Camera, lenses and extra film.
Binoculars.
Snacks, trail mix or other goodies.
Powdered sports drinks for the climb.
Pocket knife.
Insect repellent – with DEET.
Reading and writing materials.
Ski goggles.

Thoughts and ideas:

Be kind to your feet! If you plan on purchasing new boots do so well ahead of time and allow yourself time to break them in. Bring some extra moleskin or Second Skin (Compeed) for fast foot treatment, plus tape and watch out for blisters.
A very good way to minimize the risk of blisters is to wear a thin liner sock under your regular thicker hiking socks. The liner sock should be made of a non-absorbent, wicking material, absolutely no cotton. Test your sock combination before you go on the trip.
Cotton is wonderful in warm weather, but once it becomes wet it drains your body heat. Plan on bringing at least one synthetic shirt that maintains its warmth when wet. Suggestions are Capilene, M.T.S. and Thermax.
Always test your layers before the trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding and bunching up.
Stuff sacks are great for sorting your gear. Use different sizes and colours to differentiate the contents. Plastic bags are also helpful to separate clean and dirty clothing.
If you normally wear contacts, bring a pair of glasses in case of eye irritation from dust.
Many of the trails are deeply rutted and dusty. It is a good idea to pack camera equipment and binoculars in plastic bags to protect them from the dust. This is in addition to their normal cases. Also bring some lens cleaning material.
The air is very dry so be sure to bring hand lotion and lip balm.
Laundry is difficult on this trip but you can hand wash a few quick-drying items.
Make 1 copy of your passport and take it with you; we will have a second copy in our files.
Gear can be ordered online through the Gulf for Good Website – click on the REI banner (Gulf for Good receives a small commission)

Compulsory

A good attitude and a sense of humour!

Miscellaneous Information

East Africa is 3 hours ahead of GMT, one hour behind the UAE.

Take US$ in cash to change in East Africa.