Julie K @sistak

Hi Ramon, great trip idea! Mine was all organised - I was going on my own so I preferred joining a group. Also, I decided on a whim and booked it 10 days before, so I only just had time for the vaccines! Although I didn't train for it and was totally unprepared (I was wearing fleece gloves and didn't have any technical clothing or fancy shoes in those days), I really loved the experienced. We took the easy/touristy route (can't remember the name), and I was blessed with a total altitude immunity - no headache at all - so could enjoy every minute of it. It is fully non technical, you just need to respect the very slow speed that is required above 4000m to not get any health issue. Also, I carried Diamox and a few in our group had to take some to relieve the altitude problems - I would definitely recommend having some with you. When are you going, and what route?

Julie K • 7:17 GMT, 15 Aug 2012 • Encourage

Sounds like you had a lot of fun! The trip is still in its very early stages of planning and I would only be able to head there next year as I have a few other trips planned in the next few months. A friend of mine just got a job in a hospital in Zambia and she has asked me to head over there. Initially I was thinking that I would either head South from Zambia to South Africa to dive with the Great Whites or head East to Zanzibar for diving aswell but the more I think about it the more I like the latter. Haven't actually looked into the routes (or anything that specific) at this point. How long was your trip though and how long did it take you to get to the peak? I have also been trying to find stuff on rock climbing in Tanzania and Zambia but haven't really found much at this point. Did you hear of any rock climbing when you were there?

Ramon F • 1:18 GMT, 16 Aug 2012 • Encourage

Great idea on Zanzibar - that's how we rounded our trip up, too. I can't remember all the details (I did it in 2004 - need to update my profile!), but googling it, this is the route we took: http://www.kilimanjaroroutes.com/Marangu%20Route.htm We did the 6-day version with 1 acclimation day at Horombo hut, where we hiked up towards Mawenzi Peak, and then hiked down again for the night. All of our group made it. I now realise that route is the most touristic one, but I didn't have that feeling at all at the time - even with the basic huts, it didn't feel crowded (we went in February). Also, for my first foray at altitude and without specific physical preparation, I was happy with a relatively *non challenging* route. I haven't heard about any climbing there or around in Tanzania but I didn't search for it either - after the climb I just wanted to lay on a beach ;) Keep us posted about your plans!

Julie K • 8:17 GMT, 16 Aug 2012 • Encourage