Sometime in late 2007, we came across an article on the internet where Kilimanjaro was mentioned; apparently someone had called it the "common man's Everest." Really?? Well, I've had a fancy to want to get adventurous and here was a calling; and this time it could be an adventure to experience not alone, but with my loving wife. And so Jen and I started our research into how we could go about this hike.
Jen is not what you would call an "outdoors-woman", she is more a city dweller. A city dweller nevertheless, but one that l-o-v-e-s animals. So we decided that the hike was my adventure and reward; and the safari that was to follow was her reward.
Jen's research led us to uncover the many trails that we could use to get up the mountain including the infamous 4-day Marango route (a.k.a the Coca-cola route). We were to learn it's infamous because of the nearly 30% ratio of people not making it past Gilman's point (a cliff close enough to see the top but still 90 minutes away from the peak) due to the fast ascent and lack in time to acclimatize.
So, we chose the longer, 8-day route, which had a 99% success rate of making the summit (Uhuru Peak). The secret seemed to be that the longer you were on the mountain and the slower your ascent, the more acclimatised your body gets to the lack of air pressure at the high altitude. And so we chose the Lemosho Route via the Western Breach, which is the toughest, but shortest direct ascent on the last day. Short because it's only a 90 minute hike on the last morning at 5am against other routes that require an 11pm to 7am hike to reach the summit and a gruelling 7 hrs walk downhill.
*** from Jen's point of view ***
When Arun first mentioned Kilimanjaro to me, I was intrigued. Not because climbing a mountain or being out in the "wilderness" was appealing to me (there are snakes and spiders out there, you know?); but because he promised me that if we ever went to Africa, we could go on safari and I'd get to see all those animals I regularly obsess over on National Geographic or the Discovery Channel, live and in person.
Then, I began researching Kili and the various routes. I signed up on various blogs and forums, trying to dissect how difficult it would be (physically) and what we'd need to do to be prepared. I emailed various tour companies and spoke to people who had hiked up Kili in the past and finally decided on a company called Destination Tanzania Safaris (aka Detasa). I liked this company for a variety of reasons, but mainly because they were big on safety. They also got good reviews from past customers.
Once we decided on a company, the route and the safari (couldn't forget to plan that part!), it was time to research hiking gear and start our "Kili fitness routine," which included daily (well, almost daily) walks, runs, stair-climbing, yoga or squash (for Arun). We also managed a few hiking trips to higher elevations (Ooty and Masinagudi). I think those trips were helpful, in that we were able to hike for 2-4 hours at a stretch and were able to test our limits.
Jen is not what you would call an "outdoors-woman", she is more a city dweller. A city dweller nevertheless, but one that l-o-v-e-s animals. So we decided that the hike was my adventure and reward; and the safari that was to follow was her reward.
Jen's research led us to uncover the many trails that we could use to get up the mountain including the infamous 4-day Marango route (a.k.a the Coca-cola route). We were to learn it's infamous because of the nearly 30% ratio of people not making it past Gilman's point (a cliff close enough to see the top but still 90 minutes away from the peak) due to the fast ascent and lack in time to acclimatize.
So, we chose the longer, 8-day route, which had a 99% success rate of making the summit (Uhuru Peak). The secret seemed to be that the longer you were on the mountain and the slower your ascent, the more acclimatised your body gets to the lack of air pressure at the high altitude. And so we chose the Lemosho Route via the Western Breach, which is the toughest, but shortest direct ascent on the last day. Short because it's only a 90 minute hike on the last morning at 5am against other routes that require an 11pm to 7am hike to reach the summit and a gruelling 7 hrs walk downhill.
*** from Jen's point of view ***
When Arun first mentioned Kilimanjaro to me, I was intrigued. Not because climbing a mountain or being out in the "wilderness" was appealing to me (there are snakes and spiders out there, you know?); but because he promised me that if we ever went to Africa, we could go on safari and I'd get to see all those animals I regularly obsess over on National Geographic or the Discovery Channel, live and in person.
Then, I began researching Kili and the various routes. I signed up on various blogs and forums, trying to dissect how difficult it would be (physically) and what we'd need to do to be prepared. I emailed various tour companies and spoke to people who had hiked up Kili in the past and finally decided on a company called Destination Tanzania Safaris (aka Detasa). I liked this company for a variety of reasons, but mainly because they were big on safety. They also got good reviews from past customers.
Once we decided on a company, the route and the safari (couldn't forget to plan that part!), it was time to research hiking gear and start our "Kili fitness routine," which included daily (well, almost daily) walks, runs, stair-climbing, yoga or squash (for Arun). We also managed a few hiking trips to higher elevations (Ooty and Masinagudi). I think those trips were helpful, in that we were able to hike for 2-4 hours at a stretch and were able to test our limits.
