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When is the Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro?

March 26, 2014/0 Comments/in /by

Kilimanjaro clouds

Trekking ahead of the clouds
Photo: Lauren & Frank Boitano


We hear it all the time: “when is the absolute best time to climb Kilimanjaro?”

Not to be fence-sitters but: whenever?

There absolutely is a worst time to attempt your trek; in fact, there are two of them: April/May and mid-November through mid-December. During those times the entire country receives serious rainfall (especially during April, when the heavy rains come), and Kilimanjaro is too soggy to camp on comfortably (that’s what you get for standing head and shoulders above a continent).

So that just leaves you…the other 9 months to choose from.

Here’s a (possibly hard) truth that may make it MUCH easier to make a decision: no matter when you climb, it’s likely to be warm in the foothills and cold at the summit. Depending on the month, that might change to “slightly warmer” or “marginally less frosty,” but Tanzania’s seasons aren’t the climate you need to be concerned about when scheduling your trek.

The rest of the country has “winter” and “summer” (there’s still only about a 10-15 degree difference between the hottest months in Tanzania and the coolest, so those terms are still relative), but Kilimanjaro starts off with a hot and humid trek through the foothills and rainforest, and ends with a shivery last push to the top, no matter when you climb.

The mountain also has different weather patterns than the country at large, which means that while late summer and early fall is extremely dry on the ground, it’s possible you’ll get rain showers on Kili no matter when you climb.

So if there’s no real “best time,” how should you plan your trip?

One great way to decide when to climb is thinking about what else you might like to see in Tanzania; the differences between green season (when everything’s blooming, millions of animals are giving birth, and resources are abundant) and dry season (when animals concentrate more and more upon scarce water sources, increasing the odds of dramatic predator-prey encounters) are more pronounced on the plains than they are on the mountain. Likewise, a beach vacation to Zanzibar might be something you’d rather enjoy in the middle of your winter (or you might prefer the beach during the slightly cooler days of Tanzanian winter, i.e., June-August).

Basically, once you realize that Kili’s pretty much always the same Kili, it gives you a lot of flexibility! So plan for anything on the mountain…and plan your trip any time you want!

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High altitude hiking tips

The Downside of Altitude

March 12, 2014/2 Comments/in /by

High altitude trekking tips and digestion

Nearing the summit!
Photo: Thomson Safaris guest, Tom Rohrer


Trekkers know that reaching Uhuru Peak won’t be easy; getting to the top involves long days of hiking, chilly nights, and some serious willpower. After all, it wouldn’t be such an amazing achievement if summiting weren’t a serious challenge!

But there’s one part of a Kilimanjaro hike that many people don’t fully prepare for (maybe because it’s not that much fun to talk about it): the ways that altitude can affect you on the mountain. Specifically, the effects it may have on your digestion.

Almost everyone will feel some mild symptoms of altitude on the mountain, and one of the most common problems trekkers have is occasional vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. It’s hard enough to get to the top as-is; make sure you’re taking a few simple precautions in order to minimize your stomach symptoms on Kili:


Pack Ginger

Whether you bring it candied, in a lozenge, as an extract, or in whole-root form for easy gnawing, put ginger on the list of items you keep in your daypack. Ginger can help ease nausea and upset stomachs naturally, and munching a little on the trail can help prevent symptoms from worsening (or if you’re very lucky, starting in the first place).

We provide trekkers with ginger tea in camp, but you can do even more to alleviate symptoms by stashing your own and consuming it as needed throughout the day


Double-Check Your First-Aid Kit

Your safety is the number one priority of the guides and staff members on the mountain, but over-the-counter treatments such as Pepto-Bismol and Immodium should be in your personal first-aid kit. For many people, these are enough to deal with any stomach issues on the mountain.


Load Up on Good-For-You Food (and Water)

All our food on the mountain is hygienically prepared, and we provide trekkers with unlimited PUR water throughout their treks—take advantage of this to help keep stomach issues at bay! Simple, plain foods, like crackers and unbuttered popcorn will be provided (and can keep a tender stomach from becoming more upset), and staying hydrated will not only keep you healthier, it can fight some of the symptoms of altitude.

Remember, it’s very important to eat and drink enough on the mountain, even if you are feeling a little off, which reminds us, you should make sure to…


Pack Your Absolute Favorite Treat

There will be more than enough healthy, hygienic food options on the mountain, but if you’re experiencing stomach troubles, sometimes a favorite food can help you get your appetite back. Whether it’s chocolate or Cheez-Its, a supply of your go-to guilty pleasure snack is a great way to help get your stomach back on track (or just reward yourself after a hard day’s hiking!) on the mountain.


Consider Diamox (a.k.a. Acetazolamide)

If you’re concerned about the effects of altitude, talk to your doctor before your trek, and consider whether a prescription for an altitude medication, such as Diamox, might be a good decision for you. You can either take these preemptively or as soon as you start feeling symptoms, and they can help greatly reduce the negative effects of altitude on your body.

Finally, maybe most importantly…


Mentally Prepare for a Bad Day

Chances are every trekker will have at least one rough day on the mountain; altitude just works that way. But if you follow these tips, and listen to your expert guides, you’ll likely be able to work through it. Often, trekkers will wake up the morning after a bad day feeling ready to get up and go!

So listen to your body, and do everything you can to keep symptoms at bay, but most importantly, remind yourself that feeling a little crummy occasionally is just part of a Kili trek…and it doesn’t mean you won’t still succeed in reaching the summit!

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duct tape

Life (on the Mountain) Hacks

March 5, 2014/0 Comments/in /by

No matter how you slice it, a trek up Kilimanjaro isn’t exactly a luxurious experience. You’ll be sleeping in tents, braving the cold, and pushing yourself past the point you likely thought possible…and of course there aren’t any mountaintop spa retreats along the trail.

But there are ways you can make your trip a little more comfortable (not to mention beautiful). With just a little prep-work, you can “hack” Kili in more ways than one!


Choose a Headlamp with a Red-Light Setting

Nights on the mountain are dark, without any of the background light pollution city-dwellers are used to. That’s why a headlamp is absolutely necessary for getting to and from your tent in the middle of the night, digging through the depths of your duffel, and making sure you don’t trip over a sleeping tent-mate.

But the night will be calmer—and more magical—if you choose a headlamp with a red-light setting. Flipping it to this in the middle of the night is less likely to wake a tentmate, and your eyes will have an easier time adjusting (so you won’t spend the first minute outside your tent just blinking and shivering).  

Red Headlamp

Headlamp with red LED light
REI.com


D.I.Y. Mood-Lighting

There aren’t outlets on the mountain, but that doesn’t mean you can’t turn your tent into a relaxing, softly-lit retreat at the end of the day.

Simply wrap your headlamp around your full water bottle (with the lamp facing into the bottle) and turn it on; the water inside will spread the light around the entire area.

Bonus: the light will take on the hue of the water bottle you wrap it around, giving your tent serious ambience!

headlamp lanternOne-step ambient lighting!
Photo: aprilscreatives

Carry a Bathroom Prep-Kit

We recommend that all our trekkers carry a roll of toilet paper for possible on-trail pit stops, but it won’t do them much good if a sudden downpour turns it into a soggy mess.

If you stick a roll of TP and a to-go sized bottle of hand sanitizer in one of the Ziploc bags you’ll already be bringing with you on the trail, though, you’ll be ready to go at a moment’s notice

toilet-paper-and-ziplocOn the mountain, a Ziploc is T.P.’s best friend
Photo: Modern Caveman


Use Your Hand-Warmers More Effectively

Many trekkers pack hand-warmers for emergencies, but never crack into them, since they can be almost TOO effective.

But stick a pair into your boots as you’re getting going in the morning, and another in your gloves, and once you put them on (after removing the hand-warmers), they’ll be toasty-warm (and your hands and feet won’t start sweating profusely with the first step you take!).


Never Underestimate the Power of Duct Tape

It can add grip to a slippery trekking pole, patch up a tear in your rain-gear without sacrificing waterproofness, and even work as makeshift moleskin, preventing blisters on your heels.

As one of our well-traveled trekkers likes to put it: “if you can’t fix it with duct tape, you’re not using enough duct-tape.”

duct tape

Not working? Just add more duct tape.

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trekking poles

Gear Tips: I Can’t Believe How Glad I Was to Have…

February 12, 2014/0 Comments/in , /by

Most of the items on your Kilimanjaro packing list are things you’ll obviously need; most trekkers won’t question whether they’ll use their hiking boots, sleeping bag, or down coat on the mountain.

But there are a few items that might seem a little strange on the first look-through. Will you really need all that hand-sanitizer? How many layers will you really WEAR? Do you really need to bring some of your beauty routine up the mountain?

We asked Thomson staffers which item they scoffed at…until they started their trek, and realized how happy they were to have:


Katie: A Nail Brush

Our Kilimanjaro Program Manager has reached the summit twice, but even she was skeptical about the advice to pack a nail brush for her first trek.

“I thought I was rugged enough to deal with dirty nails, so I figured I wouldn’t need it.”

Needless to say, Katie thought wrong. “You get pretty dirty going up the mountain, including your nails. Having the nail brush was one of those little luxuries that helped me focus on my climb!”

nail brushIf you find the right one, your nail brush can serve double-duty as a cute pick-me-up!
Photo: wintersoul1


Paul: Insulation

We tell all our trekkers that it gets pretty chilly on Kili, but sometimes it takes a night in a (literally) frozen tent to fully appreciate just how cold it can get:

“I was one of those naïve folks that assumed I couldn’t possibly need all that winter gear,” Paul said ruefully. “The mountain is almost on the equator, after all!”

But after a night in Barranco Camp, where he woke up to a frozen tent and nearly-frozen fingers, Paul “realized it had been a good idea to pack the long johns and extra gloves.”

long johnsEven if you think you can tough out the cold nights, pack your long underwear!
Photo: Patagonia/REI


Rachel: Make-up Wipes and Moisturizing Creams

Rachel was ready to keep as clean as possible on a showerless trek with Fresh Wipes, and brought extra wet-wipes for her hands, but after days of dusty, dry-season trekking, she says she was most grateful to have packed make-up removal wipes.

“It’s not like I was planning on wearing tons of makeup on the mountain, so at first I thought they might be overkill, but at the end of the day, it was SO refreshing to get the dirt and grime from the trail off my face and neck. I really didn’t think they would be so important.”

Rachel finished up her Kili “beauty routine” with ample supplies of face lotion, another packing-list item she nearly left behind. “I didn’t realize how dry the air would be on the mountain, especially higher up. I thought face lotion would be just a luxury, but it became absolutely essential!”

face wipesCleansing makeup-removal wipes helped Rachel feel clean after long days on the mountain
Photo: Neutrogena


Amy: Neck Gaiter

Like Paul, Amy knew things would get cold on Kili, but she didn’t realize how much the temperature would change until she started her trek.

“I really didn’t think I would use my neck gaiter, but it was genius! It provided so much greater flexibility in my layering options,” she raved.

Being able to peel it off and throw it on at a moment’s notice was a huge benefit (and something Amy couldn’t do easily with clothing layers), and she said it was incredibly warm and protective against the elements.

gaiter - turtle fur

Amy relied on her Turtle Fur-brand neck gaiter more than she ever expected
Photo: Turtle Fur


Michael: Trekking Poles

Michael had been on tons of treks before he scaled Kili, and he was more than a little skeptical of the trekking poles we recommend to Kili climbers.

“I honestly didn’t think I’d use them—I’d never used poles on any other hikes, and they just seemed unnecessary.”

It didn’t take him long on the mountain to rethink his position.

“The terrain isn’t technically challenging, but it’s definitely rough, and these helped keep me stable during the climb,” he said. “There were definitely things I didn’t use much on the mountain, but my trekking poles were one thing I’m very glad I packed.”

michael & trekking polesMichael was so grateful for his trekking poles on Kili that he used them again on his Tanzania Trekking Safari!
Photo: Thomson Safaris staffer Michael Moitoso

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packingtips-kilimanjaro

Packing For Kilimanjaro: Amy’s Top Tips!

December 18, 2013/0 Comments/in , , /by

Amy just returned from her successful Kili trek in November, and she attributes some of her success to a basic (but often ignored) tip:

Don’t overpack.

On most trips, it’s just an inconvenience, but on the mountain, where there’s a strict 33-pound weight limit, every item matters. And trust us: you’ll regret every extra ounce once you’re getting close to the summit.

So when you’re packing for your trek, follow our expert advice:

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Before You Go: Weigh Everything (and Pull Out All the Extras)
We offer trekkers a gear list (in your Prep Guide) that’s comprehensive; one of the items on that list is a 155-liter duffle.

The short story: if you’re getting even close to filling that duffle, you’re overpacking. Think of packing for Kili as a four-step process:

1.)    Set out everything you’ll need for your trek.

2.)    Pull out items you’ll be wearing daily, since they won’t go towards your weight limit (this includes boots, trekking poles, gaiters, base layer, hat, and sunglasses).

3.)    Next, pull out items that you’ll keep in your day pack the entire time (e.g., your camera, chapstick, sunscreen, toilet paper and/or baby wipes, personal first aid kit, and rain gear).

4.)    Weigh the remaining items in the duffle bag (either on a floor scale or with a travel hand scale). Be sure to add the weight of items you plan to rent (approximate weights are included on your rental forms).

If you’re following Thomson’s packing list, you should be well within the weight limit. Follow a similar procedure for your safari duffle, which should be 30-40 liters, soft-sided (without wheels or a hard frame), and should not exceed 33 pounds fully packed (the internal-flight weight limit in Tanzania).

Good packers should have enough room in their larger duffle to hold their fully-packed safari duffle (you can then check only the larger bag on your international flight). When you arrive, simply pull out this duffle and leave it at our Arusha office during your trek.

Expert Tips:

* When packing and weighing your safari duffle, make sure to include items you plan to use for both legs of your trip, such as personal toiletries or a lightweight fleece.

* You won’t need items like a hairdryer (which won’t work with Tanzanian outlets at any point during the trip), and shouldn’t bring along high-value items or items that would be difficult to replace, such as a sentimental piece of jewelry.

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During Your Trip: Organizing and Repacking
Each morning on your trek, you’ll pull out the gear best suited to that day (and quarantine the stinky socks from the day before). That’s why few things will be as important as Ziploc bags, garbage bags, and/or stuff sacks in keeping your luggage organized, easy to access, and under control.

Your day pack contents will change daily. In addition to your first aid kit, personal effects, sun and fleece hat, and rain gear, your day pack should always include layers you’ll need for potential weather changes (in case temperatures drop rapidly on the trail). In order to make this as simple as possible:

1.)    Pack several different sizes of Ziploc bags, ranging from pint-sized to 3XL.

2.)    Smaller bags are for packing out waste on the trail, organizing, and keeping dirty laundry separated.

3.)    Larger bags can organize gear by layer (i.e., base, middle, or outer), making it easy to find the right gear for any elevation/weather.

4.)    A garbage bag can double as a liner for your day pack (sudden rain is always a concern) or a compression sack for your sleeping bag (which you’ll pack in camp duffle each morning).

Expert Tips:

* Your sleeping bag, inflatable mat, camp shoes, toiletries, extra layers, head lamp, and anything else not necessary to that day’s trek will be in your camp duffle; make sure to pull anything you need into your daypack before leaving camp.

* Packing a small Ziploc with ‘every day’ toiletries—like toothpaste and toothbrush—inside a larger, gallon bag with all toiletries, will make it easy to pull out the things you’ll need often.

YouTube Preview Image Watch Amy demonstrate how to pack a sleeping bag in a waterproof compression sack.
OR
For an alternative packing method (for higher elevations on your trek), watch this video.

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After Your Trek
If you’re heading home after your trek, you’ll have repacked on the mountain, but if you’re continuing on a safari or another extension, it’s important to remember:

1.)    When you’re picked up on Kili, your stored bag will be in the car and accompany you to your lodge or day room.

2.)    You can store one bag at the Arusha offices at any given time; this means that during your Kili trek your safari bag (or a set of clean travel clothing) can stay there, and if you continue on safari, your trekking bag can stay there.

3.)    Make sure to shuffle your gear as needed. Move unnecessary items from your daypack to your Kili duffle, and remember to move any gear you intended to use for both legs of your adventure from your Kili duffle into your safari duffle.

Follow these tips, and your luggage should be the last thing you have to worry about on the mountain…which is good, since you ought to be focusing on reaching the summit!

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sleeping

Tips for Sleeping Soundly on Kilimanjaro

October 23, 2013/6 Comments/in , /by

We’ve all heard that there’s nothing more important than a good night’s sleep (unless you count breakfast, or family). But on Kilimanjaro—where each day means physical challenges and adjustment to a new altitude, and your nights are spent in a sleeping bag instead of on a feather bed—getting all the sleep you need in order to reach the summit can be difficult.

Full Moon at Barafu CampPhoto: Thomson Safaris guest Leah Balagopal

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Luckily, the Thomson team has learned a few tricks on their treks that will help ensure you have more restful nights:

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Tip 1: Use an inflatable pad

You may not be able to haul your mattress up Kili with you, but you can make nights on the ground more comfortable. An inflatable pad not only acts as a cushion; as Michael notes, “it keeps the damp away.”

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Tip 2: Pack a soft, comfy hat

One of the biggest barriers to a good night’s sleep on Kili is the colder temperatures further up the mountain. Rachel combats this with “the warmest, softest, most comfortable hat” she can find. Not only does it prevent you from losing heat, it can act as another “pillow” layer!

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Tip 3: Just get up and go pee

It’s the middle of the night, the air outside is freezing, and you think, if you just hold it, you’ll be able to fall back asleep.

Think again. As Amy notes, “a full bladder isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s a heat suck.” You’ll feel warmer (and sleep more soundly) if you just get up as soon as you realize you have to go.

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Tip 4: Shake up your sleeping bag

Your sleeping bag says it’s good down to -30°…so why are your toes so cold?

Maybe you forgot to shake it out when you unpacked it. Since your bag will be tightly compressed while you trek, the insulation might not be evenly distributed when you pull it out for the night. But Michael found that simply shaking it a little helped even things out, keeping him warm from head to toe!

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Tip 5: Change your clothes in the afternoon

After a full day of trekking, cleaning up and putting on fresh clothes will help refresh you.

But there’s an added bonus to changing up your look right when you get to camp; if you sleep in those clothes, like Katie recommends, you won’t have to start your morning with a serious case of the shivers as you try to change for the day.

Not exactly a sleeping tip, but it might buy you a few minutes of sleep—and more than a few degrees of body temperature—in the morning!

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Tip 6: Upgrade your tent

Paul had a very simple response to how to get the best night’s sleep on Kili: “upgrade to the fancy tent with a cot and pillow in it!”

He was kidding, but only a little; on the Grand Traverse, hikers spend more nights in the lower elevations where it’s a bit warmer, and they also have the option to upgrade to our solar-lit, walk-in luxury sleeping tents.

So while most people will conk out easily and sleep soundly if they follow the first five tips on this list, if you know yourself to be an especially light sleeper, highly susceptible to cold, or just not a “roughing it” type, consider whether your trek—and most importantly, your chances of summit success—might be greatly improved with with the Grand Traverse and a “fancy” tent!

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