How tall is kilimanjaro

While Mawenzi and Shira are extinct, Kibo is dormant and could possibly erupt again. Scientists estimate that the last time it erupted was , years ago. In , German geographer Hans Meyer and Austrian mountaineer Ludwig Purtscheller became the first people on record to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Since then, Kilimanjaro has become a popular hiking spot for locals and tourists. Because mountaineering gear and experience is not needed to reach the peak, tens of thousands of climbers ascend the mountain each year. The climb is still dangerous, however, because of the risk of altitude sickness —a condition climbers experience if they ascend too quickly, which can be deadly if not treated right away.

In , the mountain and its six surrounding forest corridors were named Kilimanjaro National Park in order to protect its unique environment. A variety of animals live in the area surrounding the mountain, including the blue monkey Cercopithecus mitis.

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If a year-old woman passes you, let it go. On day two I lost my appetite, and felt sick and exhausted. After lots of sleep and water, by the afternoon on day three I felt really good.

It was only uphill from there…. Breathe, hydrate, and literally take it one step at a time. On the day of the summit hike we arrived to basecamp in the late afternoon, ate, prepared our layers, and got to sleep as early as possible. At 11 p. Little dots of light ahead seem miles away, but keep your head down and take one step at a time. Looking up too much will hurt your neck and make the seven-hour journey feel endless.

We stood on the summit—the highest peak in Africa—as the sun cracked over the landscape and lit up the country below. Park regulations prevent anyone from climbing without a certified guide.

And regulations for proper camping and cooking gear mean that most climbers do not ascend without a decent size support group that includes guides, porters, and a chef. A support staff of 11 incredible locals is the reason we were able to summit, and while having them is more of a necessity than a tip, make sure that you do tip them appropriately. They are also grateful to accept clothing, water bottles, shoes, and other gear you may wish to leave behind. Enjoy your shower, wash your hair twice, and take a well-deserved nap.

You have accomplished something incredible, so reward your aching body with an amazing safari or a beach weekend in Zanzibar. All rights reserved. You will be prepared by your team with the essentials, but here are some things they might not mention: Toilet Talk Bring your own toilet paper. Fun Things. Share Tweet Email. Why it's so hard to treat pain in infants. This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city. Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city Caracals have learned to hunt around the urban edges of Cape Town, though the predator faces many threats, such as getting hit by cars.

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Go Further. Kilimanjaro rises from its base approximately 16, feet 5, meters from the plains near the Tanzanian municipality of Moshi, making it the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. There are three volcanic cones that make up Kilimanjaro: Kibo is the summit; Mawenzi at 16, feet 5, meters ; and Shira at 13, feet 3, meters.

Uhuru Peak is the highest summit on Kibo's crater rim. Uhuru, Swahili for "Freedom," was named in when Tanganyika gained its independence. Tanganyika later joined with the islands of Zanzibar to form Tanzania. While the other two volcanic formations are extinct — meaning that they are highly unlikely to erupt again — Kibo the highest peak is merely dormant, so there is the possibility that it could erupt.

Estimates have the last major eruption dated to , years ago, but volcanic activity was recorded just years ago. While Kibo is dormant, gas is emitted into the crater, causing several collapses and landslides, with the most extensive ones creating the area known as the Western Breach. While the name Kilimanjaro has its origins in the KiChagga word for "white," it is becoming increasingly less so. While it still covered with ice caps and glaciers at higher levels, global warming is quickly changing the climate and scientists expect the famed snows of Kilimanjaro to disappear sometime between and About 30, people climb Kilimanjaro each year and about three-quarters of those reach the summit.

It is a relatively safe climb, and most climbers who fail to summit experience altitude-related issues or harsh weather near the peak. Temperatures at the peak can be 0 degrees F minus 18 C , and if the winds are blowing, the wind chills reach dangerous levels.