Kili Trek – How to dress warm

This is one link that I found really helpful. It was straight to the point and sounds extremely logical.

Ignore the part in the second part if you want, because there’s some marketing talk. Otherwise, it could be a good guide if the store is near you and hence you can go try out the attire mentioned to see if it works for you.

http://www.active.com/story.cfm?CHECKSSO=0&NUM=0&CATEGORY=activeinsider&STORY_ID=13800

Another blog where I read that was interesting, mentioned this theory about our feet and hands being less critical parts. So when the body goes into the instinctive survival mode, it provides heat to  the vital areas which is the area surrounding the organs.  Hence our body is last to feel the cold.

Often enough, we would put on way too many layers for the body, neglecting to have the right gloves and socks that would keep our feet and hands warm. Since there is only that many layers (I assume max of 2) you can put over your hands and feet go invest in – one that wicks moisture away and another that provides the insulation. Don’t underestimate the below zero temp up and around the summit.

The other vital part that we often neglect is the head. In that crucial period when we are trying to forge forward with each step, the last thing we want is for the brain to feel sluggish and sleepy due to the cold. So get the neck and head warm.

Another link that I liked and placed here (thanks Ultimate Kilimanjaro  !) is :

http://www.ultimatekilimanjaro.com/blog/2008/02/dressing-for-kilimanjaro/#comment-11

Kili Trek – Finding the right trek operator

There are so many things to consider. I have not sorted them in any order. Then again, I won’t know what’s important to you. Here’s how I chose.

1. What others say

There are lots of advice on who’s good. A few names came up – African Travel Resources, Zara Tanzania Adventures, Tusker Trail, Roy’s, Marangu Hotel and African Walking Company. There was also the comments that discredit the cheaper ones, suggesting that they cut corners, poorer quality food and paying the porters, cooks and guides miserably. I went with one that seemed organized, had some good reviews, were selective about routes, had frills and seemed responsible with the environment.

2. Socially and Environmentally Responsible

There’s also talk about how responsible the operator would be. For example, contributing part of your money to charity, bringing down rubbish, using hot water to wash instead of doing in the streams, etc. If you care, then pick those that mention this aspects.

3. Premium service or rough it out

I do remember the same kind of trek in ABC Nepal 10 years ago. To me, having someone carry your load, food, the tents, sleeping bags and mats up the mountain was already a luxury. I remember having pizza up in the mountains. I am thankful though, because I doubt my fitness level then would have allowed me to carry it up myself.

Looking at some of the pictures in the online brochures, there are some packages that comes with nice dining tents, complete with nice cutlery and plates. So, one has to decide whether to go budget or pamper yourself with premium service. In my case, I reckon this fight I picked with mother nature is not on my side and I need all the help that is available.

Do you have time to do a comparison study

I was worried about the escalating prices for air tickets.  I knew I had to make a quick decision. I was only 2mths and 1 week away from the date of Sep (read somewhere that Jul to Sep is the best time for Kili).  I also needed to get my training going if I was to even make it to Barafu campsite. If you have time, do up a spreadsheet table with your selection criteria as column headers and the operators as rows.  Don’t rush like I did.

4. Improve your chance of reaching summit

Reading about how one needs to acclimatise (hike high, sleep low), I believe there is some truth since it is drawn from so many years of experience from seasoned climbers. I tend to favour a operator that understands and respects the need to allow time to acclimatize. Especially when the 5895m height is such an unknown space and challenge to me.

5. Price

Many have gone the way of picking a charity and at the same time use it to fund their trip. Go with what is comfortable with your monies. Check the fine print. I almost went with one operator because it advertised the trek as only USD 295. Remember to set aside money for tips to the porters, guide, and cook. Also remember to set aside some money for post-trek celebrations.

6. Freebies

I was also drawn by the free rental of 4 season sleeping bag and mat. As I am currently in Doha, a place where no one would go camping in cold weather. I knew I needed all the equipment I can get and I wasn’t going to find it in the shops. Only way was to buy online and have it shipped. So, when Exodus had a August promotion for free rental. I was delighted.

To find out who are the operators, I would Google Search with Kili Trek. Results include not only the packages offered but also background info, photos and past trip videos and log.

For past logs and reports, I would Google Search “Kili Trek Log”. The results are better.

You could also try this link by Africa Safari Journal who tries to give you a top 3 list.

http://www.african-safari-journals.com/kilimanjaro-tours.html

Kilimanjaro Trek – how it all started for me

I think it was sometime after I went on the Annapurna Base Camp trip with Country Holidays. Since then, they have been sending me a newsletter and it has all these exotic trips. Another place that interest me was Mt Rinjani – also a volcano. You can say I was bitten really bad by the trekking bug. All accumulated from Pinnacles in Sabah, Mt Kinabalu, ABC, and Fanzipan.

Then in Apr 08, when I was seraching around for a holiday for the family, I chance upon Exodus travel. As usual I sign up for their email newsletter. I didn’t book a tour with them but went on a free n easy self drive to Jordan. From then onwards, they have been sending my news updates and promotions. Spam no because i asked for it.

As I clicked, the Kilimanjaro link seemed to stand out calling me to click on it. Reading on, it was just too much a temptation as I read how everyone slogged through the trek, fighting back altitude sickness to reach the summit. It is such a reality show setting that hooked me deep. Inside, I am probably feeling “I will be lucky” – I won’t be the 4 out of 10 that would succumb to AMS and have to come down without getting a photo shot next to that famous summit signboard.

Over the months, it started to consume me. First it was about getting all the gear ready. Then it was about training. Next was scouring the web, reading all the logs, looking at videos and then trying to place them in a logical way onto this blog.