Mt Kilimanjaro climb Machame route
,Acomodation and acclimatisation
Accommodation
Accommodation on the route is in roomy two person tents.
The evening stops
are referred to as huts, but most of the buildings are decrepit.
They are
used as shelters for the porters and for cooking. The tents
are usually
erected for you when you arrive, although if you want a
particular position
it's worth taking charge. In the mornings, it helps everyone
get away early
if you lend a hand with taking the tents down.
Acclimatisation
Acclimatisation is extremely important, both to let you
enjoy your ascent
but more importantly to avoid any serious complications.
The route is
planned to optimise the height gain, but you may still
get a headache or
feel nauseous. There are two important preventative measures:
to drink
copiously, even when it is really difficult, and to walk
very slowly,
avoiding as far as possible increased heart and breathing
rates.
A
drug is available, Diamoxs well proven to help with
acclimatisation. This is taken as tablets for a few days
before and then during your ascent. It is safe and has
no serious side effects. It is important to remember that
one possible effect of altitude is light-headedness and
odd behaviour, which can lead to foolish decisions.
The danger here is of someone who is not well insisting
on continuing. Watch each other closely.
Other
Trekking details
Food and kitchen equipment will be carried by the porters
and cooked by an
experienced cook. It will be plentiful and wholesome,
but may be limited by
the circumstances. Your own supply of chocolate and high
energy snacks is a
good idea.
Water
is available at several points and should be purified
before drinking. All water in camp will be boiled and
some provided for drinking the next day. A comforting
tip is to fill your bottle in the evening with boiled
water for the next day, and to use it as a hot water bottle
overnight. Check with your guide where the water points
are.
Toilets
are available . Some camps have several and so it's
worth checking for the cleanest. If you are caught short
during the walk, please find a spot as far as possible
from the trail and any water. Bury your faeces and paper.
It is often easiest to move a large rock and use the indent
as a hole.
Other details
Food and kitchen equipment will be carried by the
porters and cooked by an
experienced cook. It will be plentiful and wholesome,
but may be limited by
the circumstances. Your own supply of chocolate and high
energy snacks is a
good idea.
Treks
and climbs on Mount Kilimanjaro
At nearly 20,000 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest
mountain in Africa,
and one of the highest volcanoes in the world. For walkers,
trekking up
Mount Kilimanjaro is particularly attractive because,
with the right
preparation, it's possible to trek all the way to the
summit without
technical climbing gear or experience.
Mt Kilimanjaro climbing Machame route ,Accomodation in tents and acclimatisation
