MOUNTAIN CLIMBING INFORMATION
Acclimatization on mountain trips
Technical descriptions of the causes and symptoms of altitude sickness can be found in many guidebooks. It is likely that you will experience some form of mild altitude sickness on a high mountain trek. What follows below is based on practical experience rather than on details medical explanations.
Altitude sickness is caused by the failure of the body to adapt quickly enough to the reduced level of oxygen in the air as one gains altitude. There are many different symptoms but the most common are headaches, light-headedness, nausea, loss of appetite, tingling in the fingers and toes, and mild swelling of the face/ankles/fingers.
Many of these symptoms are not serious and often disappear within 48 hours. Most can be traced back to either poor blood circulation or the leakage of fluid within the body. In serious case, this leakage is large and begins to fill up either the brain cavity (Cerebral Oedema of the lung cavity (Pulmonary Oedema).
Cerebral Oedema is recognized by severe headaches combined with severe loss of balance and dizziness and will ultimately lead to coma; whilst Pulmonary Oedema is characterized by coughing up of pink sputum. Both conditions lead rapidly to death unless (and this is the only cure) an immediate descent is made.
There are three key steps to achieving successful acclimatization. You will probably still suffer some mild symptoms of altitude sickness before adapting to function normally with reduced levels of oxygen.
* Drink lots.
We recommend a fluid intake of 4-5 litres daily. Fluid intake improves circulation and most other bodily functions. Fluid intake does not add to fluid leakage from the body. You need to drink lots of water too. If your urine is clear, you are drinking enough. Drink lots during the day to avoid a very broken sleep!
* Walk slowly
It is vital to place as little strain as possible on the body whilst it is trying to adapt to a reducing oxygen supply. Unless there is a very steep uphill section, your breathing rate whilst walking should be as if you are walking down the street at home!
* Walk hips sleep low
This means taking every opportunity to take afternoon excursions to a higher level before descending again to sleep. A pleasant way to train the body too! Obviously not a good idea if you already have some symptoms of altitude sickness.
Mild forms of altitude sickness are best treated by rest, maintaining fluid intake, and by aspirin tablets. Aspirin is far superior to other painkillers because it has the double effect of both relieving pain and helping acclimatization by thinning the blood.
More serious forms of altitude sickness can be temporarily (but not permanently) helped by powerful diuretics such as Diamox. Some people take this drug before the climb whilst others use it only at higher altitudes. Whether you should use drugs such Diamox before and during the trip is as much a personal decision as a scientific one as the medical causes/treatments of altitude sickness are still not fully understood.
We prefer to follow the methods outlined above to treat altitude symptoms. The final choice is left to you.
Special note on altitude sickness
Serious cases of altitude sickness can only be treated by immediate descent. Local guides are all experienced in dealing with the problems of altitude. It may be necessary for your descend to a lower altitude until you recover or even to abandon the climb in the interests of safety. The decision of the guides in such situation will be final.
Trekking conditions
Most of the trails used on mountain treks are well defined and of good quality but some forest sections are often slippery and moorland paths can be very wet. The summit days on Mount Kenya, Mt Meru, and Kilimanjaro are almost exclusively on loose scree without permanent footpaths but no technical skills are required. Snow lies permanently on the summit of Kilimanjaro, and seasonally on the mountains, but no special equipment is needed to walk on it.
These mountains are large volcanoes that tower above the surrounding plains. All climbs therefore require a considerable amount of ascent and descent but this is tempered by the short daily stages necessary for acclimatization. Be prepared for lots of uphill and downhill!
Clothing and equipment
All mountain treks have a wide range of temperatures so the best clothing is a lot of thin layers. Such clothing is easier to adjust as the temperature fluctuates and is also more effective insulation than a few thick items of clothing.
Sleeping and carrying equipment
30-40 litre daypack (to ensure that all layers of clothing and other personal kit can be carried.
Duffle bag or soft kitbag for porters to carry on the mountain (not suitcases).
Plastic bags of various sizes to protect equipment you want to ensure is dry (e.g sleeping bag and books) and for your daysack.
4 seasons sleeping bag (especially for high camps on Kilimanjaro where the temperature can easily drop to well below zero). Consider a fleece liner if you really feel the cold.
Sleeping mat for camping trips but not for huts. Can be made of foam, or alternatively, and inflatable mattress (with repair kit).
Drinking
2x1 litre water bottle or equivalent
Purification equipment. Boiled drinking water is provided but you might want to use iodine or chlorine for further purification. Bring powdered juice to take away the taste if you use chemicals! Filtration pumps are excellent though costly.
Footwear
Walking boots that are worn-in and of proven quality (leather strongly recommended).
Thick socks and maybe also thin socks to wear under the thick socks (this often helps to prevent blisters.
Trainers or trekking sandals to wear in camp.
Gaiters can be very helpful in wet conditions and to stop scree-getting inside your boots.
Inner clothing
T-shirts. At least some synthetic as cotton dries poorly and does not provide very good insulation.
Underwear
Shorts
Trousers (loose and comfortable). One pair should be thick and warm.
Thermal underwear is recommended for both upper and lower body if you feel the cold.
Outer Clothing
You need a minimum of 3 warm layers for the upper body for evenings and for summit day ascents. Many combinations of warm layers are possible with recent developments in outdoor clothing but strongly recommendation is a good quality duvet jacket.
4 season duvet jacket (especially important for Kilimanjaro).
Fleeces jacket or equivalent windproof jacket.
Water proof jacket and trousers. There can be short but heavy showers even in the dry season.
2 pairs of gloves/mittens (1 thin, 1 thick)
1 sweater that can be worn under fleece and duvet jacket if necessary.
Head and face
Warm hat or (preferably) balaclava
Sunhat
Sunglasses (essential for summit days to avoid snow blindness).
Suncream with a high factor. The equatorial sun combined with the altitude is a very powerful combination even if you are used to the sun.
Limp balm, preferably with sun protection.
Personal usage
Towel and toiletries
Toilet paper
Favourite snacks.
Head torch. Practical in camp and very necessary on the summit day. Remember to bring lots of batteries and to allow for evening reading.
Camera and films. Films of reasonable quality can be bought in Kenya and Tanzania.
Pocket knife (always handy to have!)
Reading material and games/cards. The need to acclimatize means that many daily stages are no more than long mornings.
Medical equipment
Group medical kits with instructions are provided on all climbs. Local guides have had first aid training. Special attention must be made to avoiding altitude sickness by maximizing acclimatization as guides do not carry oxygen cylinders.
Personal medical kit
We recommend that you bring your own personal medical kit for the most basic needs.
Aspiring for headaches and mild pains. Aspirin is particularly good on the mountains because it also thins the blood, which helps acclimatization at altitude.
Blister kits or plasters
Imodium for severe diahorrea
Malaria tablets. Malaria is obviously not a problem on high mountains but all mountain trips begin and end in malarial area.
Knee support if you have any sort of knee problems. The descents are steep and sustained on all mountain climbs.
Guidelines on tipping
Although tips are optional, and should depend on the level of service provided, we would like to point out that tipping is customary in Kenya and Tanzania. You should allow between $5 and $10 per person per day on the mountain.
Gifts are very much appreciated, but they are not seen as substitute for tips, and are sometimes sold for cash. If you want to donate something to the porters, we suggest that warm cloths, T-shirts, and shoes are always useful. You might want to bring some pens (rather than sweets) for the children you meet at the foot of the mountains. Staff are carefully briefed not to pressure anyone for tips or equipment and are salaried at a level that does not make them dependent on receiving tips or gifts.
Reading list and maps
This is not a complete list but a recommendation of some books that we find most useful and interesting.
Trekking in East Africa
David Else (Lonely Planet 1998). The most comprehensive guide for trekking and walking in East Africa and also contains good background information.
Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya
Cameron Burns (Cordee 1998). A very practical guidebook with extensive route description.
Guide to Tanzania
Philips Briggs (Bradt Publications 1999). Once of the best guidebooks about Tanzania, with a good chapter about the history of Tanzania, and lots of practical information. Also good suggestions for trekking and traveling off the beaten track.
Tanzania, Zanzibar and Pemba
Mary Fitzpatrick (Lonely Planet 1999). The other excellent general guidebook about Tanzania with lots of useful practical information and very up to date.
Kilimanjaro National Park Leaflet (Tanzania National Parks 1987). This 60 page booklet can only be obtained in Tanzania, but contains a good general description of the mountain and the different climb at zones you walk through. It also has a small map.
Arusha National Park
(Tanzania National Parks 1987)
This park consists of two parts; a wildlife game viewing area and Mount Meru. The leaflet focuses on the flora and fauna but also contains some information about climbing Mount Meru. This book can only be obtained in Tanzania.
Kilimanjaro
John Reader (Elm Tree Books 1982). A beautiful coffee-table book, which also gives good descriptive information about the mountain. Also very strong on the history of Kilimanjaro. An excellent souvenir of the climb.
