Mt. Kilimanjaro is one of the “seven summits”, the highest peaks of the continents. It is the highest freestanding mountain in the world, arising as a volcano from the savanna up to 19.300 ft.
There are a lot of different routes for climbing. After a detailed research for advantages and disadvantages of the various routes we decide for Machame – route. The other most exportant routes are:
- Marango – route – most frequently used and called Coca Cola route mockingly, starts in Marangu (4.970 ft. high);
- Barafu-route – a steep route from Barafu hut ( 15.100 ft.) to Kibo;
- Lemosho-route – starting point Londorossi (7.400 ft.);
- Mweka-route – starting point at Mweka (5.600 ft.);
- Shira-route – starting at Londorossi (7.400 ft.);
- Umbwe-route – starting in Umbwe (5.600 ft.);
- Western-Breach-Route – steep route passing Lava-Tower (15.100 ft.) up to Kibo;
- Rongai-route – starting in Kenia from Rongai (6.400 ft.).
The Kilimanjaro-National-Park has an important protecting function for the whole maountain-area of Kilimanjaro. Marango-route is the only route with affixed lodgings. On all other routes tents are used. For the 5 of us there were 15 porters, one guide and an additional-guide, one cook and his right hand were necessary to carry the whole equipment. Per Porter 44 pounds of baggage are accepted by the National-Park-Office. The protection of the mountains seems to work well. Generally we can say that Kilimanjaro is a very clean mountain. What goes up must come down – especially garbage. At first sight it may seem absurd that about 50 tents are carried up every day while other 50 ones are carried down on the other side. But that produces working possibilities and promotes going easy on resources. Counting the crowds of mountaineers some hotels at about 13.00 ft. would pay off well easily – but this would ruin Kili doubtlessly.
