Is Kilimanjaro Dangerous to Hike? The Kilimanjaro Mountain is one of the seven summits of the world and it’s the tallest in Africa. The Kilimanjaro is made up of three volcanic cones namely: Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira.
Two of these cones are extinct and will never erupt again while the Kibo peak is dormant and is expected to erupt at some point in the future.
The mountain is safe despite its height and if one follows all the guidelines then there is no way you will get into trouble. There is an estimated death rate of about 10 people a year.
Deaths are usually due to altitude related illnesses and injuries from falls. Most of these deaths are avoidable if one follows the advisories.
There is a rescue mission of the Kilimanjaro that can attend to some of the medical emergencies and therefore one will need to meet all the requirements especially the having insurance to afford this emergency evacuation services.
You are not required to have hiking skills to hike the Kilimanjaro Mountains; you will just be required to have prepared yourself for the hike. The lower slopes of the Kilimanjaro are not as cold as the top since the Kilimanjaro ranges are located along the Equator.
Is Kilimanjaro Dangerous to Hike? There is however some risks that needs to be treated with a lot of seriousness. Here are some of them:
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
This is the most common hindrance to hiking the Kilimanjaro. It’s also known as altitude sickness. This occurs when the human body fails to adjust to the altitude in terms of oxygen intake and other related body processes.
It is important that if you feel any abnormalities, you inform members of your team such that all the measure is taken. The team will have experienced people that will advise you if you can proceed or not or even wait a few days.
Usually when someone develops symptoms of this disease, they will ascend abit such that the sickness doesn’t worsen.
If you experience any symptoms of altitude sickness, notify your guides immediately so that proper safety precautions can be taken and they can advise you on how to proceed.
Many people will experience Mild AMS symptoms as they ascend above 10,000 feet. At which point it is critical to go slower and stay hydrated to prevent the symptoms from worsening. Some of the symptoms include dizziness, Nausea and shortness of breath.
The Rock Falls
Most routes on the Kilimanjaro are safe but the western trails have some risks of rocks falling. There have been sudden deaths in the past due to these incidences. If you can, try to avoid the western routes.
Hypothermia
There are fewer risks of anyone catching this disease if you have enough clothes t keep you warm. The porters are the ones that have disease most as they barely carry enough clothes to keep them warm.
Heart attacks
The hike to the summit of the Kilimanjaro is a heavy thing. It will definitely take a stroll, on your body. This physical challenge will require that you consult with your doctor before you take on this challenge. Check for any possibilities of Heart attack.
The Weather
The Kilimanjaro is most favorable to climb during the dry season. Which comes in the months of June to September and December to February. It’s not advised to climb during the wet months as the mountain is very slippery. It is however very possible that you can climb the Kilimanjaro in the rainy season.
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