Entries Posted in ‘Questions - FAQ’ Category
September 8th, 2008
Questions about climbing Kilimanjaro
Hi there.
My name is joseph and i just finished watching your kilimanjaro video. It’s something i am planning to do next august/september and I am trying to find out as much about the climb as possible prior to doing it.
Altitude is going to be my weakness as I have never exposed myself to that height before and I was wanting to know whether you did any previous climbing at that height prior to the climb?
Nope. No hiking at that height. Although we do live in Colorado (where the elevation is a mile above sea level), and went for a few hikes in the mountains, up around 9,000/10,000 feet. The best preparation we did was to go to Washington D.C. for 12 days prior to our climb and be tourists. We talked about 5-7 miles/day in Washington D.C., and that made all the difference once we were on the mountain. (Other people we were climbing with were sore… we experienced very little of that in the first few days.)
Also, how much was the climb and which company did you do it through? would you recommend them?
Yes. We would definitely recommend them. It was a little more expensive than some of the other packages we could have gotten, but completely worth it. I think it cost $2600 each for 9 days in Africa (which included a 1 day safari, all of our accommodations before climbing and after coming off the mountain, and everything on the mountain). It did not include airfare, which was about $1800 each.
We went through Kevin Cherilla (www.kcsummits.com) on the American side, who partnered with Simon Mtui in Tanzania and (name of company I don’t remember).
Kevin’s contact info is Kevin Cherilla kcsummits@gmail.com 602.686.6146
Hope this is helpful for you!
August 15th, 2006
Britten and Chris return from the mountain
Jonathan and Carrie,
We are home safe and sound (even with all the London Terror that held us up). Thanks for your info on the hiking poles. We found some that we rented and were very thankful for them (especially on the way down, my knees were killing me and we were sliding everywhere in the mud in the rainforest). We were sooo sore for a few days afterwards too! We did make it to the summit just at sunrise and it was absolutely breathtaking. We took about 600 photos and video too. Actually we took more photos but somehow managed to lose one of our digital cameras on the mountain 
We had pretty good weather although we did see rain, snow and hail. We both loved to see the clouds roll into camp! It all just seemed like a whole different world (besides the coca cola that was everywhere!) We took the Rongai route (known as the Coca Cola route) up and came down the Marangu route. Thanks again for all your help! We were very prepared and thankful for your packing tips!
Britten and Chris =)
Continue reading "Britten and Chris return from the mountain" »
August 14th, 2006
Kilimanjaro Climb Questions
Jonathan and Carrie – we leave in 3 weeks for Kilimanjaro! We are overwhelmed, and my crew has a few questions we’d like to ask of the experts from Colorado:
1) at night, in the tents, how cold did it get for you and Carrie? We’re going a month or two after you did, so it may be warmer, but ‘just how cold was it’? We have great sleeping bags for the cold, and plan to rent the mats when we get there.
2) I’m carrying water bottles, but my wife is taking a ‘camelback’ to sip the water from. Which would you recommend for the others?
3) Is it better to take big duffle bags for the porters to carry your stuff in, or use the ones they have there? Same for walking poles ……. ?
4) Was tipping your guides and porters an issue? I mean, did you just hand over cash to the guides at the end to distribute, or did you separate it out for them?
5) Do they have open fires at the campsites at night??
6) Of course we all plan to summit Uhuru peak – nothing less. You two made it. Any advice on that? (open ended question ….!)
7) What do you wish you had done differently (or not done) – in retrospect?
July 31st, 2006
Do we need hiking or trekking poles?
Jonathan and Carrie,
Thanks so much for answering the clothing question for us! I did think of another question of course. We read somewhere that there are usually hiking sticks for sale near the gate of the mountain. Did you find this to be true? Also, do you recommend hiking poles? We’re packing our stuff and its really starting to hit us now! Thanks again for all of your advice! =)
Britten (and Chris)
July 30th, 2006
How to pack for Kilimanjaro and clothing to wear
Hi Jonathan and Carrie,
My name is Britten. I just came across your website and found it very helpful!
My boyfriend and I are leaving on Tuesday to Africa for a Mount Kilimanjaro climb. This is definitely the most extreme adventure either of us has ever taken. I have been researching and reading up on everything I can find to prepare us for the trip and I was really thankful to come across your site.
I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions and get any advice that the two of you have to offer. One of my main questions is how to pack for the weather changes as you advance up the mountain. I keep reading that we should pack light but I’m afraid we won’t pack enough of what is really needed. Should we pack more light clothing to keep cool or heavy clothing to stay warm?
If you could answer this question it would be so helpful to us! So far that’s the one thing I haven’t been able to get answered. If there is anything else that you think would be helpful advice that would be much appreciated as well.
Thanks in advance for any information you can give us and Congrats on your engagement!
Continue reading "How to pack for Kilimanjaro and clothing to wear" »
July 25th, 2006
Kilimanjaro Questions and Answers about the water
Jonathan -
I hope you don’t mind if I occasionally ask you a question about your climb, we are climbing (my wife and 3 grown kids) in September. We’re going up the Machame route – I think you did the same. Are there places to buy bottled water, at the bottom, along the way …… or do you have to get it from the guides / streams, and boil it and purify it? Do you then have to carry all 4 litres with you, each person, for the day?
Having recently done it – You are the expert of course – and I’m thrilled to know someone who we can ask a question to now and then (we’re a bit nervous at this point). We just got our visas back from the Tanzania embassy yesterday – thank goodness.
Thanks Jonathan!
Scot
Continue reading "Kilimanjaro Questions and Answers about the water" »
- March 20, 2010 09:05 AM : Ecuadorian food: Chifles (fried plantain chips)
- March 19, 2010 05:40 PM : OK GO does it again
- March 18, 2010 03:50 PM : It rains every day in Quito?
- March 17, 2010 08:59 PM : Sharing my passion by blogging
- March 16, 2010 12:32 AM : Otavalo Market, Otavalo, Ecuador
- March 15, 2010 05:12 PM : Visiting the Equator (Mitad del Mundo, Ecuador)
- March 14, 2010 05:41 PM : Does Ecuador change times?
- March 11, 2010 04:03 PM : Un Presentación de la Pizza
- March 10, 2010 04:05 PM : Getting Passport Pages: The United States Embassy in Quito, Ecuador
- March 08, 2010 05:34 AM : How To Make Empanadas: Empanadas From Plantains in Quito, Ecuador
- March 06, 2010 06:46 PM : How Can You Afford To Travel - Phones
- March 06, 2010 05:59 PM : My favorite day so far...being welcomed as part of an Ecuadorian family
- March 05, 2010 05:59 PM : La Basilica de Quito, Ecuador: The tallest church tower in South America
- March 05, 2010 03:08 PM : How Can You Afford To Travel?
- March 05, 2010 01:16 PM : The Lost Generation?
- March 04, 2010 10:01 AM : Quito Ecovia in Rush Hour: The Quito Bus System
- March 03, 2010 02:54 PM : Where Have You Been?
- March 03, 2010 02:12 AM : Alex's Birthday in Quito
- March 02, 2010 09:10 PM : Visiting the Doctor in Quito, Ecuador
- March 02, 2010 08:56 PM : Saquisili Market near Quito, Ecuador
- March 02, 2010 07:36 AM : How to Make Canelazos: Como Hacen Canelazos
- March 01, 2010 08:05 AM : A Night Tour of Quito, Ecuador: Pictures And Videos
- February 28, 2010 10:00 PM : February Changes: Movable Type to WordPress
- February 27, 2010 02:09 PM : Cotopaxi in Ecuador is the highest active volcano on Earth
- February 26, 2010 05:47 PM : Videos of Our Quito Apartment: Ecuador
- February 24, 2010 02:08 PM : Torpedos de Ruidoso: Our earplugs
- February 22, 2010 06:49 PM : A Friendly Reminder
- February 22, 2010 05:44 AM : Pictures of Quito From Our Balcony
- February 19, 2010 02:53 PM : Cuatro Rosas
- February 18, 2010 05:13 PM : Spanish Doesn't Come Naturally, That's For Sure
- February 14, 2010 04:12 PM : Happy Valentine's Day from Quito, Ecuador
- February 13, 2010 04:16 PM : Teleferiqo, a gondola to 13,340 ft. in Quito, Ecuador
- February 12, 2010 04:21 PM : Weird Food: Eating Cuy (Guinea Pig) in Quito, Ecuador
- February 11, 2010 09:34 PM : Do You Have A Sixth Sense? Check This Out!
- February 05, 2010 08:10 PM : Ecuador Has Huge Cabbages
