Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is not very technically demanding. In fact, it is more of a hike. However, this does not mean that it is easy to do. Only about 40 per cent of the 15 000 people who climb this mountain every year actually make it to the top. If you want to be one of them, you need to do the right training for Kilimanjaro.
Kilimanjaro, also called Kili, is Africa's highest mountain. It's highest point is 19 341 feet above sea level and is known as Uhuru Peak. Reaching Uhuru is the object, but the high altitude can make it very taxing.
You need to do endurance and strength exercises, but to reduce the risk of altitude sickness, you also need to do a lot of cardiovascular training. Since you will be walking to the top en then down again, the best form of exercise to prepare yourself is, well, walking. It not only strengthens the muscles in your legs, but also teaches your body to manage with less oxygen, for instance at high altitude.
You should begin your exercise regimen at least two months before your planned climb, but the sooner you start, of course, the better. This will give your body time to adapt to the conditions it will have to endure during the climb. Begin slowly and then gradually build up the duration and difficulty of the walks until you can walk about ten miles per day, on hilly terrain and for seven or eight days in a row.
Try to walk on real hilly or mountainous terrain instead of exercising in the gym all the time. You will have to get used to conditions like uncomfortable weather and treacherous paths and you can't do this on a treadmill or Stairmaster. You can use these exercise machines to supplement your regimen, though.
When you train, wear the boots that you're going to wear on Kili. It takes a while for new boots to adapt to the shape of your feet. If you wear shiny new boots on the actual hike, you will probably have to deal with blisters on top of everything.
Over time you should also exercise with your day pack. On the mountain it will weigh about twenty pounds, so you should gradually fill your pack until you can easily carry the full weight. If you train with your day pack, you will also reduce the risk of chafing on the climb because your hips and shoulders will be used to the straps by then.
For extra cardiovascular exercises you can cycle, run or swim. About two weeks before you leave for Kilimanjaro National Park, though, you should start taking it easier. The four days of so before you begin the climb you should rest. This will help your body to conserve its strength for when you really need it.
Since Tanzanian regulations stipulate that you can't go it alone, you will have to ascend Kili with an organized trekking outfit. Most of these companies will be able to give you advice on training for Kilimanjaro. Now all you need to do is get up off the couch.
Kilimanjaro, also called Kili, is Africa's highest mountain. It's highest point is 19 341 feet above sea level and is known as Uhuru Peak. Reaching Uhuru is the object, but the high altitude can make it very taxing.
You need to do endurance and strength exercises, but to reduce the risk of altitude sickness, you also need to do a lot of cardiovascular training. Since you will be walking to the top en then down again, the best form of exercise to prepare yourself is, well, walking. It not only strengthens the muscles in your legs, but also teaches your body to manage with less oxygen, for instance at high altitude.
You should begin your exercise regimen at least two months before your planned climb, but the sooner you start, of course, the better. This will give your body time to adapt to the conditions it will have to endure during the climb. Begin slowly and then gradually build up the duration and difficulty of the walks until you can walk about ten miles per day, on hilly terrain and for seven or eight days in a row.
Try to walk on real hilly or mountainous terrain instead of exercising in the gym all the time. You will have to get used to conditions like uncomfortable weather and treacherous paths and you can't do this on a treadmill or Stairmaster. You can use these exercise machines to supplement your regimen, though.
When you train, wear the boots that you're going to wear on Kili. It takes a while for new boots to adapt to the shape of your feet. If you wear shiny new boots on the actual hike, you will probably have to deal with blisters on top of everything.
Over time you should also exercise with your day pack. On the mountain it will weigh about twenty pounds, so you should gradually fill your pack until you can easily carry the full weight. If you train with your day pack, you will also reduce the risk of chafing on the climb because your hips and shoulders will be used to the straps by then.
For extra cardiovascular exercises you can cycle, run or swim. About two weeks before you leave for Kilimanjaro National Park, though, you should start taking it easier. The four days of so before you begin the climb you should rest. This will help your body to conserve its strength for when you really need it.
Since Tanzanian regulations stipulate that you can't go it alone, you will have to ascend Kili with an organized trekking outfit. Most of these companies will be able to give you advice on training for Kilimanjaro. Now all you need to do is get up off the couch.
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