Has anyone got any direct experience of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa - I'm strongly considering doing it for charity in 2013. Feedback on things like the training involved, which charities offer the trip and anyone's personal experiences would be very interesting to hear. Grateful for all info. thanks
Climbing Kilimanjaro
- Thread starter Jeremiah
- Start date
I did it in 1996 with a UK travel company. I didn't look for charity pledges.
Before going I prepared with some hill walking and 5K runs on the roads. I asked for medication for altitude sickness but the doctor wouldn't prescribe any. Over there I believe it's possible to buy them over the counter.
On the day we went to the summit, one of the others in the group, who was taking medication for altitude sickness was sent back down, all the others (16) made it. Including one guy who had done no preparation.
It's a great experience. Tough, but worth it. Let me know if you've other questions ?
Before going I prepared with some hill walking and 5K runs on the roads. I asked for medication for altitude sickness but the doctor wouldn't prescribe any. Over there I believe it's possible to buy them over the counter.
On the day we went to the summit, one of the others in the group, who was taking medication for altitude sickness was sent back down, all the others (16) made it. Including one guy who had done no preparation.
It's a great experience. Tough, but worth it. Let me know if you've other questions ?
It's common practice for charities to raise funds like this. I know someone who got to ride a motorbike along Route 66 in the USA, in return for raising 5K for Temple Street children's hospital.
Would he have been as motivated to raise that amount without the incentive of the experience of a lifetime ? Or even what Temple Street benefitted from that amount ? Maybe not.
I always thought it was
Always look a gift horse in the mouth
Trojan War Trojan horse
In the Trojan War, the Greeks defeated Troy using the Trojan horse in 1180 BC using a trick that teaches that one should always look a gift horse in the mouth.
I always hear that saying "Never look a gift horse in the mouth "and think it is clearly bad advice
For example.
If you never look a gift horse in the mouth you may regret it later like the Trojans.
On the other hand saying " Never look a gift horse in the mouth" might mean , take the gift ,keep your mouth shut and hope for the best
.
Always look a gift horse in the mouth
Trojan War Trojan horse
In the Trojan War, the Greeks defeated Troy using the Trojan horse in 1180 BC using a trick that teaches that one should always look a gift horse in the mouth.
I always hear that saying "Never look a gift horse in the mouth "and think it is clearly bad advice
For example.
If you never look a gift horse in the mouth you may regret it later like the Trojans.
On the other hand saying " Never look a gift horse in the mouth" might mean , take the gift ,keep your mouth shut and hope for the best
.My understanding of that expression is that the age of a horse can be determined by looking at or counting it's teeth. So, when receiving aa gift, you show your gratitude for the gesture without picking over the details of what's being given (e.g. looking in the horse's mouth and counting teeth).
Back on topic ..
Kilimanjaro is a walk and not a climb. As long as one can keep putting one foot in front of the other, then it's achievable. The guides encourage you to take it slowly (polé, polé) and there is plenty of time to catch your breath and enjoy the view.
I'm hoping to do this in January, using private guides, with a friend. Am planning on doing the longest route as it will allow for acclimitisation to altitude....plus it's the less walked path.
If you want to do it for a charity I guess the first port of call would be to contact your chosen charity, and get them to send information packs. I know somebody who did this last year, the chosen charity organised training walks, introduced the group to each other in advance and supported their fundraising.
If you want to do it for a charity I guess the first port of call would be to contact your chosen charity, and get them to send information packs. I know somebody who did this last year, the chosen charity organised training walks, introduced the group to each other in advance and supported their fundraising.
Alexmartin
Registered User
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- 61
I did it last year with my 71 year old mother and her 73 year old friend.
Its not hard at all.
Though people love to say how hard it was for some reason. Killi is probably the easiest mountain climb you will ever do.
There were people imagining they had altitude sickness even before we got into the climb and then when the guide told them they were being left behind, up they got and made it to the top.
The guide told me that people who think its hard are hypochondriacs. If you tell them you are at altitude, even if you are not some people feel sick, because they expect to.
Its not hard at all.
Though people love to say how hard it was for some reason. Killi is probably the easiest mountain climb you will ever do.
There were people imagining they had altitude sickness even before we got into the climb and then when the guide told them they were being left behind, up they got and made it to the top.
The guide told me that people who think its hard are hypochondriacs. If you tell them you are at altitude, even if you are not some people feel sick, because they expect to.