[pct-l] Mount Kilimanjaro

[Seymour Rifkind]

I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in 1990 and the difficulty of the climb is  
directly related to the route you select (there are probably 6  
different ones) one you can drive a jeep half way up and some which  
are extremely technical. The amount of time you give yourself to climb  
is also an important factor as the more time you give yourself the  
better chance to properly acclimate. I climbed the Lemosho route and  
it was pristine no crowds in fact we saw nobody until our final summit  
push. I was also on the mountain for close to two weeks.  
Mountaineering is very different from just hiking and the altitude  
brings a host of medical issues which can arise and be deadly. I would  
not take this climb lightly. I've known people in great shape that  
experienced severe altitude sickness and had to go down. I would  
medications in case of an emergency and would also consider looking  
into a guide service which has actually climbers and medical staff not  
a trekking school which doesn't have the experience the recognize  
problems both on the mountain and more importantly individual health  
concerns. Although Kilimanjaro is not a technical mountain it is a  
strenuous climb if you take some of the more challenging routes and  
because of the altitude should be respected.