Author: TranquilKilimanjaro

Scientists warn that the peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro, the world's tallest free-standing mountain, may soon be ice-free. According to Nasa's Earth Observatory, the mass of ice on the peak of the 19,341ft dormant stratovolcano in Tanzania fell by more than 85% between 1912 and 2011. Kilimanjaro's north ice field has also fragmented, according to Kimberly Casey, a glaciologist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre, who visited the mountain earlier this year. The glacier has been growing a hole since the 1970s, but this is the first year it has been witnessed splitting in half. Dr. Casey explained, 'We were able to walk on land — or even ride a bicycle — right through the chasm.' Scientists now say it's not a question of whether, but when, Kilimanjaro's ice will go. Estimates vary, but some scientists believe it will be extinct by the year 2060. The views from the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro are both bizarre and breathtaking. Climbers may stare down on a dense blanket of clouds below that seems to extend eternally in the horizon after rising through numerous habitats, including farming, luxuriant rainforest, alpine desert, and a virtual dead zone near the peak. However, ice dominates the image in the near foreground. On an otherwise featureless, sand-covered plateau to the north, a shelf-like slab of ice with a sheer vertical cliff rests. A second ice field pours down the edge of the plateau and down the mountain's southern face in the opposite direction. Mount Kilimanjaro's southern ice field: Despite its tropical position, the dry, cold air at the summit of the mountain has supported enormous amounts of ice for over 10,000 years. 'We could have rode a bicycle across the fissure,' says Kimberly Casey, a Nasa glaciologist who visited Kilimanjaro earlier this year and discovered the north ice

Scaling one of the planet's highest peaks is a challenge most able-bodied individuals would struggle to do. Spencer West did it with only his hands. After a grueling, arduous, and awe-inspiring climb, the 31-year-old from Toronto, Canada, who lost his legs when he was five years old, reached the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro on Tuesday. Mr. West was born with sacral agenesis, a genetic disease that caused his lower spine to be underdeveloped and his legs to be crossed all the time. At the age of three, he had his legs amputated below the knees, and two years later, he had them severed below the pelvis. Medical professionals said that the brave Canadian would never be able to function in society, but he has defied physicians his whole life. He spent a year preparing to climb Africa's tallest mountain without using his legs, and he started out on June 12 with closest pals David Johnson and Alex Meers. Mr West had to hike through Tanzania's rainforests, snowfields, and deserts for seven days, and he had to do 80 percent of the route on his hands, only using a custom-made wheelchair when the terrain permitted. After a seven-hour walk, they arrived at the summit at 11:15 a.m. Only half of those who attempt to climb the mountain succeed, and Mr West described the moment he reached the peak as "amazing." 'The summit sign appeared almost like a hallucination,' he added. 'We glanced around and realized that we had made it after seven days of continuous climbing, 20,000 feet of our blood, sweat, tears, and vomit. 'It was all worth it, even the bleeding fingers and blisters.' Doctors informed Mr West as a kid that he would struggle to fit into society, but he has stayed adamant in proving them wrong. Spencer

What we do know is that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and a group of his closest friends — the Daily Mail estimates more than 100, including former Blues boss and current Russia manager Guus Hiddink — were in Tanzania last week to push themselves to their limits by climbing Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. This is when the stories start to diverge. According to reports, Roman Abramovich and his colleagues had to leave the journey due to lung issues. This is denied by a club representative. "During his recent journey to Mount Kilimanjaro, Roman Abramovich did not collapse, experience respiratory issues, altitude sickness, or require medical assistance," the spokesman stated. "The trip was well-prepared, and those who wished to reach the peak were able to do so without problem." It only goes to prove that money can't buy you everything: here's businessman Roman Abramovich on his way down from Mount Kilimanjaro after failing to climb it. Before reaching the 19,330ft peak, the rich Chelsea owner turned around. British climber Nick Macgregor, who was raising money for Diabetes UK, took a photo of him on his way down. "It's not every day you encounter a man like Roman, much alone while you're climbing Kilimanjaro," the 34-year-old from Morpeth, Northumberland, remarked. A spokeswoman for Abramovich denied that the Russian, who is shown second from the front, was dissatisfied that he did not reach the summit of the Tanzanian mountain. He stated, " "He did participate in the eight-day journey. Those who desired to reach the peak succeeded, but those who did not did not. "Mr. Abramovich arrived at the last base camp and decided to return and descend. "He wasn't affected by altitude sickness." Chelsea Football Club Denies the allegations of the failed Kilimanjaro Ascent by Abramovich Chelsea, an English football club

In a competition held by a group called Seven Natural Wonders, tourist destinations from all over the world are voted to be nominated as The Seven Natural Wonders of The World, the Tanzania Tourist Board wishes to inform the public that Mount Kilimanjaro has been nominated as a candidate for the seven natural wonders of the world. Tanzania can benefit from the increased attention that comes with being included on the new list of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and may utilize this to highlight Mt. Kilimanjaro's location inside Tanzania. Only Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) and Table Mountain, two of the 28 competitors that advanced to this level, are nominated from Africa (South Africa). Between the two African locations, there is intense competition. Interesting facts about Mount Kilimanjaro The majority of those who vote for Mount Kilimanjaro live outside the country, according to voting trends, and very few Tanzanian citizens participate in the voting process, in contrast to the case of Table Mountain, where a significant portion of South African citizens participate in the voting process. To help Mount Kilimanjaro become one of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the World, we (TTB) are urging Tanzanians (both inside and outside of Tanzania), friends, and supporters everywhere to vote for it. The following webpage is where votes are being gathered: www.new7wonders.com Keep in mind that the contest is still open as of November 11, 2011. Book a room at the Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel

The Drake Bulldogs and CONADEIP All-Stars from Mexico will have gone across the world to play each other on the field at the Sheik Amri Abeid Memorial Stadium in Arusha, Tanzania on Saturday, May 21. This game will be the first American football game to ever be played in Africa. Tanzania National Parks Association (TANAPA), the event's presenting sponsor, has teamed up with the Global Kilimanjaro Bowl to raise awareness of Tanzania's numerous national parks. The teams are equally enthusiastic to tour two of Tanzania's National Parks while in the nation, even if their main goal is to play the first-ever American college football game on the African continent. The majority of Tanzania's land is protected by the government, making it a popular tourist destination and the country's main source of income. The 19,341-foot Mount Kilimanjaro is known as Africa's Rooftop, and each year, some 45,000 tourists climb its slopes. Even though only approximately half of those people make it to the peak, they all have an incredible journey through a variety of topographical features, vegetation zones, and animal habitats. Some of the most stunning views in the entire world may be found looking out over the surrounding savannahs, which extend in all directions from the lower slopes. The Kilimanjaro National Park region, along with the other 14 national parks and 32 wildlife reserves, is carefully maintained and managed by TANAPA. The Serengeti National Park, which USA Today designated as the New Seventh Wonder of the World in 2006, is the most well-known of these. The Olduvai Gorge, the human race's origin site, the Selous, the largest game reserve on earth, and Ruaha, currently Africa's second-largest national park, are also included in this list. Through its role as the Global Kilimanjaro Bowl's Presenting Sponsor, TANAPA will have the chance to