6th July to 14th April 2006 | Tanzania, United Republic of

The Big One, Mount Kilimanjaro 2006

“The Big One” Mount Kilimanjaro Challenge (Tanzania)

July 6th – 14th, 2006 ( Marangu Route)

This was G4G’s 17th Challenge.

This challenge offered the option of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via the Marangu route. We began our ascent by trekking through the rainforest only to emerge into the plush vegetation of the alpine meadow. After a day of acclimatization, we continued our trek to the final destination, Uhuru Peak.

Physical effort at these rarefied altitudes is rewarded by breathtaking summit views, which on a clear day can extend as far north as Mount Kenya.

Rising in lonely splendour to an altitude of 19,340 feet above the Savannah plains of northern Tanzania, the glaciated summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest point on the African continent and the world’s highest free-standing mountain.

From cultivated farmlands on the lower levels, Kilimanjaro rises through lush rainforest to alpine meadows and across barren landscape to the twin summits of Kibo and Mawenzi. Funds raised helped in renovating the Kilimanjaro Primary School in the western part of Marangu, Moshi district, Tanzania.

Level: The trek is described as demanding and reaches altitudes of over 19,000 feet. You need to be fit and healthy to participate.

Number of participants: Maximum 25 per group.

Registration fee: Dhs 1,850/-

Minimum sponsorship: Dhs 16,000/-

Assistance provided in advance by G4G: Fund-raising ideas; training & fitness suggestions; safety & medical advice; clothing & equipment advice.

What G4G provides on the Challenge: flights and transfers, hotels/tents, all food, guides, medical & vehicle back-up.

Essential to leave behind: Day-to-day problems.

Essential to bring: Determination & a sense of humour!

Day 1 Welcome to Nairobi

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

Dinner and overnight at the Marangu Hotel.

Day 2 Kilimanjaro (acclimatization day/charity visit)

Remained at the Marangu Hotel to acclimatize at 1,400 meters. The group was then picked up from the hotel at about 9.30/10.00am. We drove to a spot near Kilaremo, and walked for a short while. (as there are some lovely waterfalls nearby). Then we visited the Kilaremo Primary school. We were then transferred back to the hotel for lunch via the local market. Once back at the hotel, there was a final gear check in preparation for tomorrow’s trek.

Day 3 Marangu to Mandara Hut (9,000 feet) (Trek Day – 4 hours)

The first day’s climb was an easy one to Mandara Hut through the rain forest. A chance to enjoy the verdant scenery, the abundant bird life and monkeys that inhabit this forest. Lunchbox provided. Once we reached the hut, we had time on our hands before the evening.

Dinner and overnight at the hut.

Day 4 Mandara to Horombo Hut (12,500 feet) (Trek Day 6-7 hours)

After breakfast, we trekked for about half an hour after leaving Mandara Hut, to emerge from the rain forest into Alpine meadow. This was a very pretty climb with splendid views and spectacular vegetation. The trek to Horombo wass approx. 10 miles.

Day 5 Horombo Hut (Rest day/acclimatization day)

Trekked to Zebra Rocks.

Overnight Horombo Hut.

Day 6 Horombo to Kibo Hut (15,500 feet) (Trek day – 6 hours)

After breakfast, began climb to Kibo Hut. The route crosses 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 Kibo Hut to Summit, Descent to Horombo Hut (18,635 feet) (Trek day – 12 hours)

Rised 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 here we continued on around the snow-covered rim to the highest point, Uhuru Peak, taking around an extra 2 hours in total. All climbers descended past Kibo to the Horombo Hut for a well-earned overnight rest.

Day 8 Horombo Hut – Park Gate (Trek day)

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

Day 9 Depart Nairobi

Coached to Nairobi for the flight home.

Climate

Temperatures during the Kilimanjaro trek can range from a humid 26°C during the first day, to -18°C 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. Our medical adviser recommends that you should be immunized against Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid and Tetanus (Diphteria and Polio). For precautions against Malaria, a short stay prophylaxis of Doxycycline (100mg daily) or Lariam (250 mg weekly) is recommended. Some people may be troubled by altitude sickness. The risk of this can be significantly reduced by taking Diamox 250mg twice daily starting a day before arriving at altitude and continuing for two days after (G4G can arrange this).The trek is described as demanding and reaches altitudes of over 19,000 feet. You need to be fit and healthy to participate. It is essential to go slowly and drink a lot of water throughout your trek. Call Maria at the Dubai London Clinic on 04 3446663 to arrange your immunizations at cost price.

Training

You will be walking for several hours per day, sometimes up steep inclines, so it is important that you start a gym or training programme at least three months prior to the Challenge. Most gyms will be happy to assist you in achieving your fitness (and some may even help you fundraise!) We can also supply names and numbers of personal trainers, some recommended by previous Challengers and some who are ex-Challengers themselves.

The challenge is described as a moderate-high intensity test of all round fitness. You need to be fit and healthy to participate.

Visas & Passports

Check your passport is valid for at least 6 months after you arrive in Kenya.. You should also have a couple of clean pages (no stamps!) left in the passport.

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

Please contact Gulf for Good for further information regarding visas.

Travel & Medical Insurance

G4G will arrange a group medical/travel insurance for all the participants (regardless of whether you have your own medical insurance). You will be required to pay your insurance premium at least two weeks before departure. Further details about the premium, type of cover, insurance terms and conditions etc are available on request.

Fundraising

Enclosed is a comprehensive fundraising booklet, containing hundreds of ideas – and G4G challengers have come up with more. It is always preferable to arrange fundraising “events” rather than ask family, friends and colleagues for money. Fundraising in this way increases your profile, creates more goodwill and raises awareness of the work of the nominated charities. The G4G office can give you names of previous Challengers who will be happy to offer advice and maybe even assistance.

Safety

We take your safety very seriously. It is our first and never forgotten priority. Please listen to your guides and follow their instructions.

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 flights from Dubai, daily meals, water and accommodation. All your gear will be transported each day to the night stop, except daily necessities carried in your own daypack.

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. Bottled water is available throughout the day from the support vehicle.

Personal Equipment

Travel light! Do limit the weight of your luggage on the trail to less than 15 kgs and less than 20 Kgs overall. All bags are to be clearly marked and lockable. Do not take or wear any valuables on the trip, it is best to leave them at home.

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.

Please refer to the Kit List. All the items required for the trip can be purchased from major sports shops & camping suppliers.

Village Education Project

http://www.kiliproject.org/

Funds raised went towards renovating the Kilimanjaro Primary School in the Western part of Marangu, Moshi district, Tanzania.