Mount Kilimanjaro climbing planning must consider all safety for the climbers. Everybody should know that as you hike up to high altitude, oxygen levels decrease. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain, like the other seven summits. Kilimanjaro’s highest peak is known as Kibo and has a height of 5895m above sea level. Some climbers might fall short of oxygen and get difficulty breathing due to the lungs’ long capacity to store oxygen. Hence this person, who get difficulty breathing, needs this emergency oxygen bottle and will breathe well to save a life. When this situation occurs, the person gets oxygen from this oxygen cylinder and gets help to descend down the mountain, where there will be enough natural oxygen. Kilimanjaro Tanzanite Safaris DMC is a reputable Kilimanjaro climbing company and has the best TripAdvisor reviews recommended for best quality treks.
We help you find the best Kilimanjaro climbing packages, costs, and hotel deals at the foothill of Kilimanjaro. Moshi is a tourist town at the Kilimanjaro foothill, and also has enough hiking gear stores, to buy or rent your equipment. Booking your Kilimanjaro climbing package online is easy, safe, and secure. We offer a wide range of climbing routes, our guide’s technical abilities and experience, and the best equipment. Our Kilimanjaro climbing prices include a cost for a single person and trekking group offers.
When coming to Tanzania and thinking of climbing mount Kilimanjaro then first consider precautions and things that will make your trip successful. Kilimanjaro tips information for international mountain guides and Alpine clubs are altitude sickness, treatment, and how to prevent mountain sickness. One of the precautions to consider is how to avoid problems. One of the problems which might occur is High Altitude Sickness (HAS) or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). However, if you have proper information about HAS/AMS then you will climb Mount Kilimanjaro successfully and with comfort. Mountain climbing guides on Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru know well about AMS. All mountain guides are well trained and most of them have experience 5 to 20 years trekking Mount Kilimanjaro. So When hiking up Kilimanjaro tells the Mountain guide how you feel and also follow the advice at this Link.
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High Altitude Sickness (HAS)/Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
What is Altitude Sickness? At sea level, the concentration of oxygen is about 21%, and the barometric pressure averages 760 mmHg. As altitude increases, oxygen concentration remains the same but the number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced due to lower barometric pressure. In order to increase oxygen levels in the blood, your body responds by breathing faster. Although oxygen levels increase, sea level concentrations cannot be reached. The body must adjust to having less oxygen. This adjustment is called acclimatization. At elevations above 5,500 meters, acclimatization is not possible and the body begins to deteriorate.
There are many ways to acclimatize; one is before starting Kilimanjaro trekking. While around the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, a Tourist can take a day hike to some altitude high level and some walking around. High Altitude sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) can affect mountain climbers, hikers, skiers, or travelers who ascend too rapidly to high altitude, typically above 8000 feet or 2400 meters. The risk is higher for persons who normally reside at or near sea level. Anyone is at risk, no matter what age or level of fitness.
The reduction in atmospheric pressure and a lower oxygen concentration at high altitudes are the cause of the illness, which can affect the lungs, nervous system, muscles, and heart. Symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening.
Mild symptoms (most cases):
Be close to the Mountain climbing guide and tell him how you feel. He may recognize the symptoms and know what to do.
- Headache
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and/or vomiting, fatigue
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Rapid pulse
- Shortness of breath with exertion.
- Severe symptoms (can cause death if not treated early)
- Continuous cough with shortness of breath at rest,
- Chest tightness or congestion, coughing up blood
- Bluish color of skin,
- Inability to walk in a straight line or to walk at all,
- Deceased consciousness
- Gray or pale completion; in these cases, there is edema in the lungs (HAPE or High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) or in the brain (HACE or High Altitude Cerebral Edema).
The risk and severity of AMS are higher as the rate of ascent is increased, the higher altitude attained, and higher levels of exertion. It takes about 8 hours to develop, which is why skiers usually don’t suffer too much. At altitudes below 3000 meters, about 20% of the people develop symptoms, but above 3500 meters most people will experience at least some symptoms, while at altitudes below 5000 meters, virtually everybody will suffer symptoms, especially if enough time is not taken for acclimatization.
Considering the altitudes of the peaks of Mount Meru (4667 meters) and Mount Kilimanjaro (5895 meters) and the short time span generally taken in climbing these mountains, most climbers will develop some form as AMS, if they do a rapid ascent without sufficient acclimatization. The Marangu route you can climb for 5 days successfully to the top because the Marangu route is easier and more gentle. However, it depends on how fit you are, and 6 days is recommended so that yourself enough time while climbing Kilimanjaro. Other routes mostly need 6 days or more like Machame, Rongai, and Umbwe; while Lemosho and Shira need 7 days or more for Kilimanjaro trekking expeditions.
How to prevent (serious) AMS:
Climb Kilimanjaro in a period of the year (months) in which the weather is friendly. The clearest and warmest conditions are from December to February, but also dry (and colder) from July-September. Acclimatization is the exercise done to become used to the weather and high altitude. Acclimatization helps to avoid altitude sickness.
When climbing above 300 meters, sleeping elevation should not increase to more than 300 meters per night, and spend a second night at the same elevation for every 1000 meters. That is why we recommend taking an extra day for acclimatization so that your Kilimanjaro climbing holiday goes and finishes with success. Recognize early symptoms of AMS, so you can return if needed. Experienced guides will monitor you and warn you in time. All guides are experienced and have taken many Kilimanjaro trekking adventure trips to the Kilimanjaro snow.
Go slowly! This is a special warning for extra-fit climbers who have a tendency to go too fast and increase their risk for AMS. Please take the advice of the Guides and surely you will be safe and successful in your Kilimanjaro trekking expedition. Mount Kilimanjaro National park authority always has principles of maintaining a group of 6 or fewer and at least 3 guides to take care of every Tourist climber. Mostly these guides are locally born at the base slopes of mount Kilimanjaro, well educated and trained. They have local knowledge useful for Tourists and adventures.
Drink as much water as you can, and enough water is provided by Travel Agencies/Kilimanjaro climbing outfitters. Acclimatization and the exertion of the climb caused fluid loss. You will need to drink 3-5 liters per day! Monitor your urine color (should be clear). Don’t over-exert yourself when you first get up to altitude, but light activity is better than sleeping because respiration decreases during sleep, making AMS symptoms worse.
Avoid smoking, alcohol, and tranquilizers as they further decrease the respiratory drive sleeping-resulting in worsening symptoms. Eat a high carbohydrate diet (more than 70% of calories from carbohydrates). Oral rehydration salts and energy bars are recommended. Ask the Travel agency or Kilimanjaro trekking for Menu daily timetable and demand what you need.
Strongly consider the use of Acetazolamide (Diamox) to speed acclimatization with a factor of 3-4. This drug was introduced in the mid-1990s; it makes the blood more acidic and stimulates the frequency of respiration. Side effects: increase in urine output, tingling of fingers and lips. Mild drowsiness and a possible allergic reaction as it is sulfa-based.If considering taking the drug, try it before the trip. The most recent advice for the dosage: is 250 mg in the morning (whole tablet), and 125 mg in the evening (1/2 tablet). Start the day before or the day of the ascent and continue for 3-4 days, as normally acclimatization takes 3 days. People suffering from cardiac or severe pulmonary diseases and pregnant women should avoid high altitudes. Also, more reference about backpackers Kilimanjaro climbing tips is available here, or read the summary below down
How to treat AMS:
Below are tips that help to avoid or treat altitude sickness (AMS) during hiking in Kilimanjaro.
- The Mountain Guide will help you descend to a lower altitude and you may recover soon. That is why we say tell the Guide how you feel.
- The principle is to descend to a lower altitude as rapidly and safely as possible. Usually, there are Emergency Mountain Rangers who are on standby for taking rescue of any ill person. Mountain rangers work hand in hand with their guides.
- Oxygen and drug as Acetazolamide, Nifedipine, and Dexamethasone can be used in more severe cases but need good medical supervision (not always available!).
- For severe cases such as HAPE and HACE-hospitalisation is required, but facilities such as mechanical ventilation are usually not available. This refers to such devices as the Gamor Bag-standard equipment on mountains like Everest. With the ever-increasing amount of climbers on Tanzania’s peaks (1000’s per year), one would hope for some investment in the improvement of medical facilities on these mountains
- Take precautions and follow the advice so that you avoid this sickness. Wish you well in planning and Kilimanjaro trekking expedition and climbing adventure successful.
Emergency Oxygen Bottle supplement is available.
All our climbing Kilimanjaro packages have summit oxygen for emergency needs. Supplement oxygen will treat Acute mountain sickness and now the tourists can walk alone and descend. The introduction of oxygen bottles in all Kilimanjaro trekking routes is an improvement so that tourists increase their confidence when they book Kilimanjaro climbing trips with us. All climbing mount Kilimanjaro guides are trained and know well how and when to use an emergency oxygen bottle. This extra comfort service is free, and you will enjoy the whole Kilimanjaro hike trip.
