Selecting a Guide for the Climb

Kilimanjaro is located in a Tanzanian National Park. It is required to have a Tanzanian guide to climb Kilimanjaro. The trip up is usually done expedition-style with porters carrying the camping and cooking equipment, making the meals, leading the way and other guidance.

We researched several guides and tour operators for this climb. We also considered going on our own, meaning getting to Tanzania and hiring guides there. We researched the various routes up the mountain, and the number of days each operator took for the climb. There are several other factors considered, including experience, costs, trip ethics, and sustainable practices.

In the end, we selected Mountain Madness, founded by the late mountaineer Scott Fischer, for our trip guide and organizers. They are based out of Seattle, and have very good safety record, and success rates for getting to the top. (http://www.mountainmadness.com/)

Our trip begins by arriving in Arusha, Tanzania on February 9. We will be climbing via the Shira Plateau/ Western Breach route. This route will take 10 days to the summit. Here's the climbing schedule:

Day 1: Meet in Arusha, Tanzania
Day 2: Camp at base of Kilimanjaro
Day 3: Montane Forest (7,000 to 9,000 ft)
Day 4: Shira Plateau (11,500 ft)
Day 5: Fischer Camp (12,300 ft)
Day 6: Lava Tower (14,300 ft)
Day 7: Arrow Glacier (15,300 ft) Acclimatization Day.
Day 8: Summit Crater Camp (18,500 ft)
Day 9: SUMMIT DAY (19,340 ft), then descend to Mweka Camp (10,500 ft)
Day 10: Continue descent to Moivaro, Arusha

The climbing will get tough above 15,000 ft due to the low atmospheric pressure at those altitudes. The day before we summit will probably be the hardest because they estimate that it will take between 7 and 9 hours to hike 1.6 miles (and go up 3,000 ft). Summit day will be a short hike up, celebrate being on top, and then descend almost 9,000 ft in elevation, which will be a very long day. The next day, we finish descending, and then relax for a day or so in Arusha (we get to take showers after 10 days!).

After Kili, we will spend some time doing a few safari trips out to Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. I have spent so much time researching and thinking about the climb that I don't have a clear idea of what we will be doing for the safari portion. I'll get to it sooner or later.