Climbing Kilimanjaro: why now is the best time to do it.

Mark Pawlak    trekkingholidays     climbing Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro, Mount Kilimanjaro, trekking, trekking holidays, Trekking Kilimanjaro

There’s only a few charity treks that can be achieved by us regular mortals but still demand a determination and preparedness that commands the respect of all, and climbing Kilimanjaro is one of them.

Charity 5 km runs are ‘fun’ and raise a lot of money for good causes but they rarely inspire me to donate. However, climbing Africa’s highest mountain does get me reaching for the coinage.

So, what’s the challenge people are facing when they send you that “Can you sponsor me as I’m climbing Kilimanjaro email”? And is it climbing or trekking Kilimanjaro?

Approach to Kili Image: Flickr/Stig Nygaard

About the mountain

Africa’s top peak is never going to be easy. It’s not Everest, but I’m not a goat – or an experienced mountaineer.

One of the attractions about taking on this mountain is that it is achievable – albeit with a lot of hard work. Brushing 6,000m, it’s well above the clouds and more than 4 times higher than Ben Nevis.

Whiffs of sulphur from the highest ash pit ‘Kibo’ are reminders that there’s still life left in this mountain. Features on Kili are typical of a collapsed volcano, where conical peaks fall inward leaving distinct rims and ridges.

With a choice of 6 ascents, most people climb Kilimanjaro in five to six days, and it’s about as inclusive as a 6000m African mountain can be. Just watch for altitude sickness as it commonly affects climbers here.

Why now?

With the wet season long gone, September to October proves a popular time to take on Kilimanjaro. In fact, right through to January you are likely to experience only brief periods of rain, with the occasional thunderstorm and clouds clearing in the evenings – give it a miss from March to May when heavy rains make it a slippery slope.

Why Trek for Charity

Why not? We can’t all go climbing Kilimanjaro, but if you are set on this sort of challenge, it’s the perfect vehicle to raise money for a worthy cause.

Team Corey in training

Take a look at how the kilimanjaro4Corey team are raising money to pay for the care of a young cancer patient. This kind of charitable donation cuts out the admin costs associated with larger charities as the group are paying for their own trip, so all the money raised goes to the appeal.

Adventure sports are never solo sports. And if our engagement with nature and its playground can be extended to raising money for a good cause, then let’s do it!

About the author

Mark Pawlak wrote 193 articles on this blog.

Editor at Adventure Sports Holidays, Mark's love affair with travel and the challenges of adventure sports continues... "You could save all year for a two-week, all-inclusive, doss by the pool, booze and buffet binge. Or, with a little planning and some good equipment, get off your arse and plan an adventure!"

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