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Mount Kilimanjaro is a giant stratavolcano, not currently active, with fumaroles that emit gas in the crater on the main summit of Kibo. Scientists concluded in 2003 that molten magma is just 400 meters below the summit crater. Although new activity is not expected, there are fears the volcano may collapse, causing a major eruption similar to Mount St. Helens. Several collapses and landslides have occurred on Kibo in the past, one creating the area known as the Western breach. Although there is no recorded history of eruptions, local legend speaks of activity around 170 years ago.
I will be using the Shira Route to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, accompanied by my friend Robert. This unique 8 day itinerary ensures maximum possible acclimatisation with time spent walking and camping in the quieter wilderness areas of the mountain. The Shira route approaches Kilimanjaro through forest and moorland from the West, crossing the caldera of the Shira volcano and exploring the rock formations of the plateau, before traversing beneath the Southern ice fields of Kibo. The final ascent is made along the Barafu route.
The final ascent day is the most demanding, waking up at 1am to start the final climb in total darkness. It will take 15 hours solid trekking to get to the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5,896 metres, passing through the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area, at temperatures of up to -40 degrees celcius.
This is obviously a major personal challenge for myself and something for me to train towards. Living in the French Alps at 2000 metres for 5 months will hopefully help a little with the altitude problem! I thought it would be a great idea to do this and then you lovely lot have a reason to sponsor me, the money which I can use to do the voluntary work.
I am going in August 2007 (after the volunteering - due to weather and safety restrictions) with a company called World Odyssey which is in conjunction with the Africa Walking Co. in Tanzania. For more information please visit their website http://www.world-odyssey.com/
For the various methods of sponsoring me, please see my 'Sponsorship' page. I really think that with your support I can reach my target.. Thanks!
Location: Tanzania
Height: 5895 metres - 19,340 feet. As the highest peak in Africa, Uhuru Peak is one of the 7 Summits, as seen in the above diagram.
First ascent: October 6th 1889. The summit was first reached by the Marangu army scout, Johannes Kinyala Lauwo, who climbed it 9 times before realising there was a crater! Lauwo served as a guide for the first ascent by nonindigenous climbers, Hans Meyer (German)and Ludwig Purstsheller (Austrian). Trilas Lauwo was the first Tanzanian woman to reach the summit via the Mweka route in 1972.
Trekking: The climb to Uhuru Peak is considered to be a relatively straightforward endeavour; however, ample time must still be provided for proper acclimatisation to prevent altitude sickness. The 3 easiest routes, Marangu, Rongai and Machame can be climbed by a person of good health, and require no mountaineering experience.
Conditions: Due to the equatorial location as well as the huge height, climbers can experience almost every climate type on earth during the journey to the top!!
Success? The final part of the climb, from Kibo hut at 15,500 feet to the summit, is undertaken at night because the scree (broken rock) is frozen together, making the climb significantly easier. Annually, approximately 15,000 people attempt to climb the mountain, of whom 40% reach the summit.
Tanzania's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs with a guide at the summit
Global Warming? While the volcano appears to be dormant on the inside, events on top of the mountain have been drawing global attention recently. The glaciers that have covered the top of the mountain for the past 11,700 years are rapidly disappearing. Over the past century, the ice cap volume has dropped by more than 80%. In 2002 a study predicted that ice on top of Africa's tallest peak would be gone between 2015 and 2020.
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