Travel Blog

 

The Process Involved In Training For Kilimanjaro Expedition

By Martha Powell


Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is no easy task. The mountain rises to about 5,895 meters above sea level making the tallest on the entire African continent. It has become a popular climbing destination for many mountaineers all over the world. Getting to the peak will typically take between five and eight days. When training for Kilimanjaro strive to have an experienced partner that will help you optimize the physiology of your body.

Apart from the physical strain that is posed by the hike, the altituide is a major challenge for your body to cope with. The air thins progressively as you move further away from the sea level and oxygen concentration reduces. As you train, focus on pre-acclimatizing your body to survive with less oxygen. This will significantly increase the chances of success.

It is recommended that one starts training at least two months before the hike. If you have never hiked a mountain before you should begin with shorter duration sessions, a slower pace and small weights and increase each of these gradually. Training for an average of three days a week (one hour on each day) works for most people. Your target should be to carry about 20 pounds of weight while climbing 30 steps (on a staircase) per minute.

You need to undergo a comprehensive medical check-up to establish whether or not you are fit enough. Any medical conditions that may be worsened by high altitude should be treated or managed optimally. Some of the conditions that the doctor will screen for include spine disorders, cardiovascular system problems (such as hypotension), metabolic conditions such as diabetes and respiratory problems among others.

One of the markers of fitness is heart rate. The recommended heart rate for someone who plans to conquer a mountain of the magnitude of Kilimanjaro should be less than 100 beats per minute. A higher rate than this possess significant health risks. If you have such a rate, you may go ahead with your plans but only after a thorough check up by your doctor. Persons at extremes of ages (below 18 and above 60) have the greatest risk.

Ensure that you are properly vaccinated against the diseases that are endemic to this part of the world. Some of the most important include those against hepatitis A and B. The former is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated water and food and close physical contact. The latter is through exchange of body fluids. Ensure that you also get vaccinated against yellow fever and that you take prophylactic drugs for malaria.

There are a number of requirements that you need to fulfill to gain entry into Tanzania. These include having a valid passport together with a visa, a residential permit or pass that are presented to immigration officials at the ports of entry. Visitors coming from most commonwealth countries have the visa requirement waived. Ensure that you establish whether this applies in your case in advance.

You need to meet certain requirements before you are allowed into Tanzania. You need to have a valid passport as well as one of three other documents: a residential permit, a pass or a visa. These documents have to be shown to the immigration officials at any of the points of entry. Some countries (especially from the Commonwealth) have an arrangement with Tanzania such that visa requirements are waived.




About the Author:



Comments :

0 comments to “The Process Involved In Training For Kilimanjaro Expedition”

Post a Comment

Blog Archive