The first visit to mount kirimanjaro

My first visit to mount kirimanjaro was very remarkable!
 

Mt. Kilimanjaro is situated inside the Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania, it is the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain on earth. The following are details used to show how the tourist or someone who needs to climb it must be familiar with. Mt Kilimanjaro can be viewed on the map at 005.00 degrees south, 036 degrees east, 5895metres from the sea level! it is always crowned by an eternal snowcap. Detailed itineraries, maps, useful links, stunning pictures and photography cover all the major routes, including the Marangu, Machame, Umbwe, Mweka (only for descending), Shira, Lemosho, Rongai (Nalemoru), and Arrow Glacier routes are provided down Before climbing. However before my route started I was given all necessary informations including a printable final checklist, food, porters, guides, important health issues, how to get there and hotels and transfers.

The Interested thing is when my porter showed me a checklist which is the prelequest for anyone who climb the highest mountain in Africa the Kimanjaro.The list was very long icluding the following;

Valid passport and visa

Airline ticket

International health card with immunizations (Yellow fever)

Travel insurance

Medical insurance

US$ cash / Travellers Checks / Credit Card

Indispensable Items

Duffel bag - large enough for all climbing gear and clothing. To be carried by the porters. An extra bag to be left at the hotel with extra gear

Small luggage lock - to lock zippers

Day backpack - between 20 - 35 litres. Large enough to carry your water, camera, raincoat, lunch pack, snacks & warm clothing

Sleeping bag

Ski-pole / walking stick

Water bottle / containers

Kilimanjaro map (Can be bought at Park gate)

High Altitude Gears

Waterproof, breathable & windproof jacket (outer wear like Ventex, Gore-Tex or Jeantex)

Waterproof, breathable & windproof pants (outer wear)

Polar fleece (middle layer)

Thermal underwear (under layers)

Mittens or warm gloves

Glove liners (if necessary)

One pair thermal (polertex) socks

Balaclava

Gaiters

Thermal water flask

Hiking Gears

Shorts

Hiking pants

Regular underwear

T-shirts

Raincoat or Poncho

Footwears

Water resistant semi-stiff hiking boots - mid weight boots work great

Shoes for overnight camps - i.e. sneakers, running shoes, etc.

Socks - several pairs for the climb

Liner socks - to keep your feet dry and limit the risk of blisters

Other Equipments

Sun hat or similar (with a brim)

Collapsible ski stick (optional but highly recommended)

Water bottles - two or three (total capacity at least 4 litres)

Head lamp, good strong one with spare batteries and an extra light bulb

Water purification tablets

Sunglasses, good quality dark lenses for the climb, with a securing strap

Flashlight (torch) with spare batteries

Important Personal Items

Toilet kit (soap, tooth brush, toilet articles, wet wipes, etc.)

Towel

Sun screen and lip protection, SPF 30+

Ziploc bags, to protect camera, binoculars, etc. from dust

Toilet paper

Money belt for passport and valuables

Additional: Medical and First Aid Supplies

Headache tablets

Altitude sickness-Diamox (if not allergic to sulpha)

Diarrhoea - Imodium

Nausea - Valoid

Malaria - Prophylaxis

Water purification tablets

Painkillers

Muscular sprains

Abrasions blisters and cuts - Plaster, bandages

Antiseptic cream - Betadine

Flu and colds

Eye drops

Insect repellent

Other optional Items to carry.

Camera, extra lenses and film (ASA 200 film recommended)

Binoculars

Powdered sports drinks for the climb (ex. Game or Isotonic drinks)

Pocket knife

Notebook & pencil

Plastic bags to keep clothing dry (masking tape)

Energy snacks and sweets

Video camera, tapes, battery packs and tri-pod

I asked the porter are you serious?He replied yes sir this is our check list and everything noted inside the list is important for someone who need to climb the mount Kirimanjaro safely! Finally I started the journey after completing the parking my apparatus inside the Bag!I choose the marangu route as it is shown on the route map below!

I started to climb the mountain at 1600 hrs on 20th June 2012 and reach the peak the next day at 1515 hrs. We spent 5 minutes at the peak and started to go down.However there is not enough air at the peak!I reached Horombo at 1700hrs where I Sleep there till the next day.It was an amazing day!