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Best Kilimanjaro route?

PostPosted: Sun Oct 27, 2013 5:58 am
by drManhattan
I have been doing some research and haven't uncovered much other than cutting it down to one of Lemosho, Machame and Rongai. Can anyone give me some some personal insights into what they think is better?

Re: Best Kilimanjaro route?

PostPosted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 1:39 pm
by Cloud Ocean
In my opinion and experience, Rongai is probably best. Access to Mawenzi makes for excellent acclimatization. The views of Mawenzi and Kibo are also superb. Completed the route in 6 days, but didn't use any porters/cooks/support. A tedious water carry across the Mawenzi/Kibo saddle to the highest campsite was definitely the crux of the hike.

Re: Best Kilimanjaro route?

PostPosted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 8:58 pm
by Sarah Simon
I summited the mountain via Lemosho in 2011. Combining that nice, rolling, gradual ascent with a high elevation home base in Colorado (my house is at 7,600 feet), I felt like a million bucks at the summit - VERY well acclimatized. I was happily sipping Scotch at high elevations while other parties at camp above 15k were very, very ill (due to the elevation).

Re: Best Kilimanjaro route?

PostPosted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 10:56 pm
by mrchad9
More likely than not it was probably the Scotch that helped you acclimate more than the home at 7600 feet. Let me guess... those that were ill had not been drinking?

While some have found things like Diamox, slower ascents, and proper hydration to be somewhat beneficial when climbing something like Kilimanjaro, I have found liquor seems to work better than any alternative.