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Training for Climbing Kilimanjaro

Training for Climbing Kilimanjaro

Dominating the landscape like no other mountain, iconic and instantly recognisable, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the highest peak in Africa and the world’s tallest freestanding mountain at 5895 metres. To climb Kilimanjaro is a great challenge and entirely feasible for the active traveller or keen walker looking for something new. In a matter of days you’ll climb Kilimanjaro from the hot plains of Africa through grasslands, tropical rain forest, alpine meadows, moorlands and desert uplands onto snow and ice.

Every year an estimated 35,000 or more climbers take on the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Unfortunately, statistics show a failure rate of anywhere from 30%, to even as high as 50% of all climbers. Meaning anywhere from a third to a half of all climbers turn back.

Training to climb Kilimanjaro is as much about your physical endurance as it is about your mental stamina. You hike between 5-10 miles each day for 5-9 days in a row (depending on the length of your climb). Spending more time on the Mountain will give you extra time to acclimatize, increasing your success rate to reach the top at Uhuru peak (the highest peak at 19,340 feet). All climbs start at just under 5,000 feet elevation, which means you are climbing roughly 15,000 feet in elevation during your trek. There are four main routes up the mountain: 

No matter which route you decide, the climb will be beautiful as you hike through 4 different climatic zones in Kilimanjaro national park (rain montane forests, heather moorland, alpine desert, and arctic tundra). To prepare for the climb, physical conditioning is important, and I’ve decided to share exactly what I do to train for every climb with you.

Prepare to Approach Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro Mountain Map

High Altitude Hiking at Sea Level

Despite our love of the mountains, many of us live in coastal cities. Whether it’s a job, family, or the lifestyle that keeps us entrenched in the hustle and bustle of city life, living in a major city can make it difficult to get out and explore wild places.

Although many of us city dwellers get away to the mountains every weekend, when it comes to training for a longer trip at high altitudes, living in a coastal city can be a major disadvantage. Indeed, if you live in a city but want to get out and explore the world’s highest mountain ranges, you might be wondering how you can train for high elevations in a concrete jungle.

So, how do you train for high altitude hiking at sea level? Ideally, one trains for high altitude hiking by spending a lot of time exercising at high elevations. If this isn’t possible, training for peak physical fitness is critical. Additionally, if you have the time and resources, an altitude adjusted room for training or tent for sleeping can help you prepare for your trip to higher altitude.

We understand that the thought of training for a high altitude hike while living at sea level can be a bit daunting. So we’ve put together the ultimate guide to training for high elevation expeditions, complete with top tips for flatlanders and advice for avoiding altitude sickness. Here we go!

Training tips for high altitude hiking

Kilimanjaro Trainings FAQ

Most people will need to train specifically for climbing Kilimanjaro for at least three to four months. During your training, you will need to progressively ramp up your hike time, distance, and elevation gain (at roughly 10% per week) to safely and effectively build your trekking-specific conditioning.

Prepare for the altitude of Mount Kilimanjaro by training on a regular basis at least 8 weeks before beginning your climb. Physical exercise is important, and a routine should be at least 4 times a week, and include aerobic exercises, strength training and hiking.

You should start training for climbing Kilimanjaro at least two months prior to your departure. If you’ve never hiked before, you should start with shorter time intervals, a slower pace, and no weight (in your day pack) and then gradually increase all of the above as your fitness level improves.
 

YES! This is a leisurely pace of less than one mile per hour on an established trail. By trekking standards, these days would not be categorized as “strenuous.” Given these short distances and time frames, it appears certainly possible that an unfit, untrained person could climb Kilimanjaro – at least up until high camp.

There are no permanent shower or bathing facilities available on Mount Kilimanjaro. However,we will provide you with a daily hot bowl of washing water and a hand wash station at each camp.

You want to be in good physical shape to climb Kilimanjaro, but there’s no need to be super-fit. This is a trek, not a climb after all, and if you can run for 30 minutes two to three times a week, and enjoy an all day hike at weekends, you should be fine. That said, many people do underestimate Kili.

Tips for avoiding altitude sickness

At the end of the day, one of the main reasons we train for a hiking trip to high elevations is to avoid altitude sickness. High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) – both life-threatening illnesses – are the two main fears of any high altitude hiker or climber, so avoiding altitude sickness is imperative during your adventures.

However, more often than not altitude sickness presents as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), which can have a range of different signs and symptoms, including:

Of course, the ideal situation would be to avoid all forms of altitude sickness on your travels. While training and exercise can, indeed, help one perform better when exerting themselves at high elevations, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, any high altitude hiker should take a number of steps to prevent altitude sickness on their adventures.

Here are our top tips for avoiding altitude sickness:

Hike high, sleep low

A good way to acclimatize during the first few days at a high elevation is to hike up to a high point (perhaps a peak ascent) during the day while sleeping at a lower elevation that night. This allows your body to get used to the effects of higher elevations while also providing it with ample time to rest and recover at night.

Go downhill

At the end of the day, if you’re experiencing symptoms of altitude sickness, the only cure is to move downhill – and to do so quickly. Moving to a lower elevation can completely alleviate the effects of AMS and may be the only way to stop AMS from developing into HAPE or HACE – both immediately life-threatening conditions.

Kilimanjaro Safety