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Acclimatisation For Kilimanjaro
Overview | Itinerary Overview | Acclimatisation | Fitness tips
 Only about 60% of trekkers who attempt to reach the 5,895m summit of Kilimanjaro succeed. Approximately 1,000 trekkers per year are evacuated from the mountain with altitude sickness (or Acute Mountain Sickness AMS). Altitude sickness is caused when a trekker ascends too rapidly to high altitude thus not allowing sufficient time to acclimatise to the lack of oxygen in the high, thin air.
The best way to acclimatise is to have a slow rate of ascent over a number of days while on Kilimanjaro, or preferably, an acclimatisation trek beforehand on a nearby mountain such as Mt Meru or Mt Kenya. It’s also helpful to choose a route on Kilimanjaro that allows an extra night to be spent on the ascent. This is possible on the Machame Route where you can insert an intermediate camp at Karangu, between Barranco and Barafu Camps. This route also allows the trekker to follow an important maxim of acclimatisation – ‘walk high and sleep low’. This can be done by ascending from Shira Camp at 3,850m to Lava Rock at 4,600m before descending to Barranco Camp at 3,950m.
Other ways to assist acclimatisation are:
Walk slowly.
On ‘Kili’ you’ll often hear the expression, ‘pole pole’, which means slowly, slowly. Walk only as fast as you can comfortably breathe and never allow your-self to become breathless. Your experienced guide will set a slow, comfortable pace. Stick with him and don’t race off ahead.
Stay well hydrated.
The thin, dry will cause you to lose fluid by respiration. Dehydration is to be avoided at all costs as it can worsen the effect of altitude sickness. Start the day well hydrated and continue to drink throughout the day. Purchase a water bladder with a tube and mouthpiece so you won’t have to stop to drink.
Eat well.
It’s important to maintain a high energy level and food fuels energy. Eat well at meals and carry snacks during the day. Loss of energy is a contributor to altitude sickness.
Stay warm.
Shivering with cold will use energy that you’ll need when trekking. Have multiple thermal layers of clothing and a wind and water proof outer layer.
Don’t overload your pack.
A heavy pack will drain your energy. Your porter is there to carry the heavy load. You need only carry to minimum amount of gear to get through the day.
Consider taking Diamox.
Diamox (generic name acetazolamide) is a prescription drug for the prevention and treatment of altitude sickness. The medication works by acidifying the blood, which causes an increase in respiration which assists acclimatisation. Diamox does not disguise symptoms of altitude sickness, it prevents it. Taking a 250mg dose of Diamox every twelve hours before and during rapid ascent to altitude should result in fewer, less severe symptoms of altitude sickness. The side effects of Diamox include pins and needles in the hands and feet and increased urination. It is a personal choice of the trekker whether or not to take Diamox as a preventative measure against altitude sickness. Back Track Adventures neither advocates nor discourages the use of Diamox. |
