paul steele on Kilimanjaro summit

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa and one of the most iconic mountains in the world. Standing tall at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), this majestic mountain is located in Tanzania and offers a challenging yet rewarding climbing experience.

It is well known for its striking beauty, a standalone mountain rising out of the African landscape with plenty of diverse ecosystems.

I had seen all the photos, I had been inspired from all I had seen and heard over the years. It was time to go climb it myself, with some incredible friends.

BaldHiker Retreats

The History Of Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro actually has 3 volcanic cones and craters that have come to be due to volcanic eruptions and activity dating back over 2 and a half million years. The highest crater is called Kibo and the highest point of this crater rim is Uhuru Peak, the highest point.

Of course it is now a dormant volcano and the last sign of volcanic activity at kilimanjaro was only around 200 years ago. But the last ‘major’ eruption was around 360,000 years ago!

The Disappearing Glaciers

I was lucky enough to be up on Kilimanjaro when some of the glaciers are still there. Even when I was there I had to imagine that 80% of the ice had already gone. They are continuously melting and disappearing. Soon you will climb Kilimanjaro and not see the glaciers at all.

The causes are complex and includes:

  • Climate Change: Rising global temperatures are considered the primary driver behind the melting glaciers. As temperatures increase, the ice on the summit of Kilimanjaro is unable to replenish itself, resulting in a continuous loss of ice mass.

  • Deforestation: The deforestation of the surrounding areas has impacted the microclimate of Kilimanjaro. Trees play a crucial role in regulating moisture levels through evapotranspiration. With fewer trees, there is less moisture in the atmosphere, leading to drier conditions on the mountain and reduced snowfall.

  • Reduced Precipitation: Changes in rainfall patterns have also contributed to the melting glaciers. Kilimanjaro’s glaciers depend on regular snowfall to replenish their ice mass. However, with declining precipitation levels, there is less snowfall, leading to a decrease in glacier size.

  • Sublimation: The process of sublimation, where ice directly converts into water vapor without melting, is another factor impacting the glaciers. As temperatures rise, more ice undergoes sublimation, further reducing the overall ice mass.

Overview Of The Terrain

As you saw in the video, due to its prominence and being near the equator you have almost every level of environment as you climb.

The bottom of the mountain is cultivated by local villagers. Then you have lush rain forest to start your trek up. As the trees disappear in the altitude levels the grasslands and alpine desert conditions appear like a Martian landscape. At the top and summit areas, you could be an arctic conditions.

This makes for an amazing 6 or 7 day slow climb. Truly memorable and scenes you will never forget for your life. The reasons it is a week long climb rather than a long expedition as other mountains of similar heights around the world (like my Aconcagua expedition) are.

  • The terrain is walkable, no technical climbing at all.
  • You start high. Yes the African plains seem very flat but the curvature of the earth etc means this is already nearly 2000m.
  • Due to the curvature of the earth, and being almost at the equator you have slightly more oxygen levels at 5000m than you would at 5000m at say, the Himalayas.
Share with your friends!

Similar Posts

28 Comments

  1. Hi Paul,

    Just stumbled upon this post! Enjoyed seeing your video! I climbed Kili back in 2009. One of the most beautiful experiences of my life! Really tough though. I’ve been writing about it on my blog over the last few weeks and I felt like I was back there!

    You look like you had more fun though! I didn’t have a group! But it was amazing!

    Helen

    1. Paul Steele says:

      Hi Helen, thank you. Yes it is a magical place isn’t it? 🙂

  2. Antoinette says:

    Truly enjoyed your little video and all the photos! I guess we all have that one hiking experience that will forever give us that bug. Mine def was hiking Patagonia for 5 days.

  3. Thérèse Dupont says:

    WAOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUH c’est SUBLISSIME, il faut que je dise,j’aime beaucoup la photo et tout ce qui est paysage divers, les animaux, la nature en somme, je craque ! 😉

  4. I love it! Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro rests a top of my bucket list – as I’m sure it does on a lot of people’s lists!

  5. Christina says:

    Awesome! We are definitely planning to climb Kilimanjaro in the near future!!!

  6. Brenda Ligia says:

    Wonderful place!

  7. Hey congratulations for the new blog!! Awesome first post …Good wishes for the future, hope to see more of these coming in!! Cheers…

  8. Such a mesmerizing photo slideshow… I really regreted not climbing the Kilimanjaro when I was volunteering in Tanzania, money was my main issue but I guess I was scared too. Now I've promised myself the next time I'm back there, I'll make it a point to climb the Roof of Africa, wish me luck! 🙂

  9. Wow, impressive and captivating Paul. Thanks for sharing your visual memory from such an adventure all the way up through the Kili. I agree, photographs never make up for the feeling of 'being there' but I can imagine the rewards and satisfaction you may feel.

    Thanks again.

  10. Hi Paul,You always take me on a little adventure. How long did it take you to complete the adventure? I love all the smiling that went on on the journey. You make the world seem like such a beautiful place. Filling it with your wonderful ideas and pictures. Thanks for the post,Lanette

  11. Joyce Hoekstra says:

    Amazing! Beautiful slide-show. My husband did this same climb once. Impressive.
    x Joyce

  12. dan satterfield says:

    Fabulous Paul. I just have to do that trip soon.

  13. Paul Steele says:

    Thanks so so much for the kind words and feedback.
    Gina/Dian good point. I am seeking out code for email feed but at present I have the RSS feed up and running top right.

    Thanks bunches friends

  14. I love your Blog Sir Paul… Same like Gina.. Can we subcribe via email ? :)).. Congratz and happy hiking ! got to go back to work …

  15. Gina SuuperG Stark says:

    Well, it’s about time!! 😉 So glad to see your moving and inspiring blog. I watched the slide show twice already! It looks like a phenomenal experience. I’m thrilled you were able to do it and I’m excited to be on board for Mera. Thank you for sharing and for your inspiration! Cheers and congrats! Gina

    P.S. Can we subscribe via email?

  16. What a beautiful blog, Paul. Congratulations!!! True, photographs can’t make up for the feeling, but one gets a pretty good idea of what it must have felt like over there. Looking forward to your next posts. Happy hiking! 🙂

    Caro

  17. TwistedSifter says:

    where to next paul? great collection of pics!

  18. Michael Schuermann says:

    Hi Paul,

    Now that you have stood on the roof of Africa, only the sky is the limit.
    Thanks for a great read with great pictures – and all the best for your next projects.
    To infinity and beyond!

    Michael (a fellow hiker)

  19. daniela hoeche says:

    Wow. Congratulations Paul!

  20. Parvez Kazmi says:

    Sir Paul, just wanted to stop by and thank you for providing a window through which we can experience the many wonders of this world. All the best to you 🙂

  21. Tracey Torrible says:

    Hi Paul,

    This looks amazing, I have to do it. I need to start samll and work my way up I know but I will keep looking at this to inspire me Tracey T x

  22. Paul,
    Great!! My wife and I plan to hike Kilimanjaro together one day. It looks beautiful!!.

    robin

  23. Linz Woolley says:

    Wahoo! Congrats on your new blog, Paul. I absolutely loved reading/seeing this, It brought back many memories of my own Kili climb!
    As always, Thank you for sharing – You Rock!!

  24. Joyce Cherrier says:

    Hi Paul! Great first post! Congrats on the blog! ! I’m looking forward to your posts & pics of the "hownds" !! 🙂

  25. Paul Steele says:

    Thanks so much kind friends. It is because of great people like you I can learn to be able to share in this way.

    Paul

  26. Tony Hastings says:

    Congratulations on your new blog Paul, it’s going to be great fun joining you on your adventures with your fine words and fantastic images.

    Good luck

    Tony

  27. Diana Adams says:

    Paul,

    Congratulations on the launch of this blog!!! I’m so happy for you and so proud to call you my friend. You are wonderful and wow – what a great writer!!! Thank you for sharing this with us all! It’s very inspirational!!

    Diana

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *