Author: TranquilKilimanjaro

The purpose of this guide is to help travellers thinking of climbing Kilimanjaro to select what kind of traction device will work best for them. I will outline all of the factors to consider when making a decision, and it will be immediately clear from reading this what is the best choice for you. I have used the term "crampons" as a generic name for any kind of spikes that you attach to your boots, and consider microspikes to be a lighter duty version of these. For those looking for in-depth detail of how each device works on different angles of ice and snow, we will incorporate angle-specific scenarios to better display which item works best. It is obviously overkill to use an ice axe and full crampons to walk up a gently angled path of compressed snow. Finally, we will compare how each device performs on the same day up Mount Kenya and Rwenzori in Uganda in order to give a fair comparison. The goal is not to prevent anyone from attempting to climb the mountain but to help make each climber more informed about the benefits of each device. Snow and ice conditions can vary year to year on the mountain, and it is quite common to trek during a year when there is less snow and ice than normal. At the least, the information contained here will be beneficial to anyone who wants to make the best decision when purchasing either crampons or microspikes. Overview of Crampons and Microspikes Microspikes have 1 fundamental difference to crampons in that they do not have a platform. The design being essentially a rubber harness into which the user places his footwear. It is shoe-like, featuring steel chains and small 1cm long spikes. Most consider microspikes to be a compromise between

To be honest, climbing Kilimanjaro does not necessitate the use of any technical equipment such as crampons or microspikes since most of Kilimanjaro is walkable and you only encounter snow and ice at the summit. Most routes can be tackled with just trail shoes or boots, without any additional attachments on your feet. However, there are certain times when the mountain experiences a significant amount of ice near the summit. This ice can be found below the rim of the crater and around the summit area, specifically from Gilman's Point (18,600 feet) and Stella Point (18,885 feet) up to Uhuru Point (19,340 feet). During these periods, for the safety of all climbers, it is advisable for visitors to bring a traction device for their footwear in order to prevent slipping on the ice. The spikes on crampons have a range of lengths, and the longer and more pronounced they are, the steeper terrain a crampon will be able to handle. Although in assessment, microspikes are limited to traction on moderate slopes, they can add significant safety to what would have been a sketchy scramble in just your boots or a steep section of compacted snow. To the newcomer, crampons and microspikes can look very similar to each other and be hard to distinguish what the differences are. One way to look at it is to see microspikes as an overgrown chain built onto a rubber and plastic footplate, whereas crampons are designed specifically to be attached to a walking boot and have a multitude of points coming off a plate which is strapped to the sole of the boot. Crampons and Microspikes There is a lot of confusing information online, and it can be hard for someone who has not used either before to understand what will be best, especially

The ensuing features of pee bottles could be extrapolated to adventure activity beyond Kilimanjaro, since urination in cold conditions will always be technically challenging. The general need to minimize clothes removal is shared with skiing, and mountain scenery and false summits might well induce lower urinary urgency thresholds. Many climbers and guides doing technical climbs in Alaska and the Himalayas have employed pee bottles for protection in their tents at high camps dug into ice ledges. Urinalysis has confirmed that renal concentrating ability is not impaired by altitude so the physiological necessity for frequent micturition is unchanged. Any normal individual interested in the techniques of alpine physiology can easily use the necessary anthropometric tables to confirm that percentile uric germplasm and insulating body fat do not place him in a special thermal tolerance category requiring separate normative studies. With this in mind, the authors welcome reports and further research using the principles outlined here to advance the state of the art in urine containment and disposal in high cold environs. Benefits of Using a Pee Bottle Urine storage comes into the forefront once again when considering the handling of human urine in a urine diversion system. Since humid faeces putrefy urine, it is imperative that urine is stored in a separate container for at least 6 months. If urine is to be used in agriculture, it must be stored for at least 6 months to allow time for any pathogens to die off. Pee bottles provide a safe and secure storage facility for urine that is easily sealable and transportable to a storage site. If urine will be stored in an underground pit or container, it is a simple matter of pouring it in. Stored urine must not come into contact with storm water, streams, rivers or any other watercourse

Booking domestic or regional flights to or from Tanzania can sometimes be challenging due to the unreliable nature of local carriers such as Air Tanzania, Precision Air, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Air, and others. These airlines may have issues with their websites, making online booking difficult or unavailable. Additionally, telephone calls and emails to these carriers often go unanswered, adding to the frustration of travelers. To navigate these challenges and ensure a seamless booking experience, many travelers opt to use popular travel search engines like Orbitz, Travelocity, or Kayak. These platforms offer a dependable way to search for and book flights, providing users with a wide range of pricing and timing options for planning their trip itineraries. By using these travel search engines, travelers can bypass the potential hurdles associated with booking directly through local carriers and enjoy a smoother booking process. Flight search engines that we recommend Orbitz: Orbitz is a popular online travel agency known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive search capabilities. With Orbitz, travelers can easily search for and book flights, hotels, rental cars, vacation packages, and more. The platform offers a wide range of options for travelers to compare prices, schedules, and amenities, helping them find the best deals for their travel needs. Orbitz also provides useful features such as flexible date searches, fare alerts, and customer reviews to assist travelers in making informed decisions. Additionally, Orbitz offers a mobile app for convenient booking on the go, making it a convenient choice for travelers seeking a hassle-free booking experience. Travelocity: Travelocity is another well-known online travel agency that offers a range of services to help travelers plan and book their trips. Similar to Orbitz, Travelocity allows users to search for and book flights, hotels, rental cars, vacation packages, and activities. The platform provides an intuitive search

Exposure to higher altitudes like Mount Meru is beneficial for acclimatizing to Mount Kilimanjaro. At home, trekking at high peaks will test your ability to adapt to the altitude. Although the acclimatization you experience may be temporary and not applicable to the conditions in Tanzania, it is still recommended. It is important to avoid discovering on Kilimanjaro that your body's response to altitude is negative. Some individuals struggle to acclimatize even at altitudes as low as 10,000 to 12,000 feet, so it is better to find out in your home country. Climbing Mount Meru usually takes place a few days before climbing Kilimanjaro. The summit of Mount Meru reaches almost 15,000 feet, which is equivalent to the altitude of the main high camps used on Kilimanjaro. By climbing Mount Meru first, you are more likely to be acclimatized to the highest campsite on the trip, reducing the risk of altitude sickness. This allows for a shorter duration (5 or 6 days) when climbing Kilimanjaro immediately after. However, it is important not to be too aggressive in attempting both treks back-to-back as it can put excessive stress on your body and increase the likelihood of altitude sickness. While combining the Meru and Kilimanjaro climbs can enhance the chances of summit success compared to a longer Kilimanjaro climb alone, it can also decrease the chances. The success of this schedule depends on your hiking ability. In general, it is advisable to climb Meru, especially if you want to do it for the sake of climbing and not just for acclimatization purposes. 4 Days Mount Meru Trek 3 Days Mount Meru climb & Price for hiking Mt Meru in Arusha Mount Meru is situated in Tanzania, not far from the Kenyan border. Its 4566m height makes it the fifth highest mountain in Africa.