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"Kilimanjaro, the Everyman's Everest, is a seemingly easy
climb.."
For generations, people in East Africa have
turned to this, the 19,341-foot mountain that rises above the rest of the
continent, and prayed. "Please God," they asked, thinking he lived on top of
Kilimanjaro. Now outsiders flock to this trekking Mecca, to this piece of heaven
on earth.
Some are looking for adventure, some are
searching for answers. Many will talk to God during the climb. Some will pray as
they gasp for breath in the cold, thinning air of the mountain's summit.
Kilimanjaro, the Everyman's Everest, is a seemingly easy climb.
Mount Kilimanjaro lies on the border of Tanzania
and Kenya, just south of the Equator. To the west lies the Great African Rift
Valley, created by tremendous tectonic forces which also gave birth to a string
of other volcanoes. One of these, Mount Kenya, was originally much higher than
Kilimanjaro.
The three summits of Mount Kilimanjaro, Shira, Kibo and
Mawenzi are all of very recent origin. Shira and Mawenzi both have suffered
considerable erosion and only jagged peaks remain. Kibo, the central, youngest
and highest peak has survived as an almost perfect cone.
Kilimanjaro is a must for adventure seekers coming
African safaris. Although East Africa and nearby Olduvai Gorge is thought
to be the cradle of mankind it is unlikely that early man would have been
attracted to the steep and cold slopes of Kilimanjaro at a time when it was
probably very active and dangerous. A Wachagga legend talks of Mawenzi receiving
fire for its pipe from his younger brother Kibo.
The Wachagga who
live on the fertile volcanic soils around the base of the mountain probably only
came to the area about 300 years ago thus this legend suggests very recent
activity.
Arab and Chinese traders and historians make mention of a
giant mountain lying inland from Mombasa or Zanzibar but few early traders
ventured into the interior of the continent. Slave traders passed below it and
sometimes raided the villages of the Wachagga but it was not till the middle of
the 19th century that a more serious interest was taken in the mountain and
attempts were made to scale it.
| In 1848 Johann Rebmann a missionary
from Gerlingen in Germany while crossing the plains of Tsavo saw Mount
Kilimanjaro. His guide talked of baridi - cold, and of tales how a group
of porters were sent up the mountain to bring back the silver or other
treasures from the summit. They came back only with water. Rebmann's
report stimulated great interest in Germany and in the following years
several expeditions were organised; first by Baron von Decken then later
by Dr. Hans Meyer who finally stood on the highest point on the 5th of
October 1889. |
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Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, now
attracts many thousands of walkers each year. On the 1st of January 2000 over
1000 people reached the summit to see the sun rise over a new Millennium
When to Climb
Kilimanjaro can be trekked all year,
with advantages and disadvantages each month. Mid-December, Jan, Feb and March
are the warmest months, almost clear of clouds. April and early May could get
heavy rain or snow, but is good if you want a quiet clear mountain. By late
June, July and through August it can be very cold at night but the sky is clear
above 3000 metres so there are great views. Through September and October it
gets steadily warmer. October is particularly good if you want little or no
rain, mild weather and few people on the mountain. November to mid-December is
the short rains season. Possibly afternoon thunderstorms but tends to clear in
evening with good views at night and mornings. There can be heavy snow towards
the summit. All Kilimanjaro treks are challenging and you need a good level of
fitness.
Click below for any Kilimanjaro route
details
Marangu route
Machame route
Lemosho route
Rongai route
Umbwe route
Western breach route
Vacations in Kenya
Mt Kenya
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