Equipment Check List

Below I’ve listed the equipment we had with us:

yellow: necessary – black: not necessary

Outside Factors

The campsites are always full – you won’t ever be alone. There are always several groups doing the ascent – you may be on the mountain with over 100 hikers. Toilet paper is very important. The toilet houses are cleaned frequently but still the hole in the middle is pretty small…

You won’t be able to wash yourself decently for 6 or 7 days but you’ll get used to the smell as long as you keep your arms to your body and your feet inside your sleeping bag....

The weather can be very strenuous –rain, sleet, hail, snow, wind – whatever you (don’t) like. Temperature differences from about 20° happen fast. You have to have a good variety of clothing in your day backpack.

A very tiresome subject was talking about how much tips were to be given to the crew. The amount ranged from $ 100 to $ 250 per person. It’s up to you and it shouldn’t be a forced thing in the end anyway. Of course it is better for the group to be larger but that’s not in our hands. We had a fantastic crew so we gave $ 350 for the both of us. And if anyone has clothing he doesn’t need or just wants to get rid of – then give it away to the crew – they’re happy about EVERYTHING (and in need of it, too)! 

Altitude Sickness - Physical Fitness

Altitude sickness – the fiercest enemy of the ascent. Can you do anything to prevent it?

Drinking plenty of water – every day. As soon as you have the first symptoms of altitude sickness (headache, difficulty in breathing) I recommend drinking more water. That helped me, although I guess I didn’t have any heavy symptoms.

Marco and his companions had Diamoxx and they didn’t have any symptoms whatsoever!

The older couple we spoke to at our hotel had been to their doctors. They simulated altitude by wearing oxygen masks while riding on bicycles. The doctor was able to simulate the „air“ up to an elevation of 5000 meters. They both didn’t suffer altitude sickness.

The older couple still didn’t make the ascent – they had to go back down already after reaching Karanga Valley. They didn’t have any physical fitness whatsoever. On the other hand, Marco had told us, that a marathon runner also didn’t make it to the summit.

 I guess I wouldn’t have made the ascent without my stamina. I had strong difficulties in breathing - just think about how that would’ve worked out if I only had done sports on my couch. Like people who already sweat, getting up to fetch themselves their next package of chips. No earnestly – I believe that you can compensate minor symptoms of altitude sickness in having a good stamina.

What you really have to keep in mind is the fact that you don’t have to be an expertise in mountain climbing but you’ll have to have enough stamina to get all the way to the summit. I also believe that a lot of people just say that they had altitude sickness and didn’t make it because of that, although in truth they were just too exhausted. You do have to do a lot of hiking each and every day – without a break. I’m not sure if you have to run half marathons but a little bit of training is more than necessary…

We would like to thank our relatives and friends who took care of our pets, borrowed us the necessary equipment, gave us good advice and made this adventure possible!!!

I would also like to thank moja-travel for looking after us at home and in Tanzania - really a great job - I can truly recommend this travel agency to everyone.

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