10 Facts About Kilimanjaro
Did you know?
♦ Kilimanjaro is a big mountain. It soars at its highest point to 19,340 feet. It is among the seven continental giants, and sits high on the global mountaineering must do list for anyone claiming the status of a mountain enthusiast. It is the world’s highest free-standing, snow-covered equatorial mountain.
♦ Kilimanjaro stands a scant 205 miles south of the equator, on the northern boundary of Tanzania.
♦ Kilimanjaro’s famous snow disguises its own violent volcanic origins. It is made up of three volcanic cones, two of which are extinct: Shira 13,000 feet (3,962 meters), Mawenzi 16,896 feet (5,149 meters); and one dormant volcano: Kibo 19,340 feet (5,895 meters).
♦ It last exploded approximately 300 years ago. Since then it’s been sleeping but could awake at any time…
♦ Mt. Kilimanjaro has five major plants zones:
- Lower slopes
- Forest
- Heath and moorland
- Highland desert
- Summit
♦ Within each zone there is an association between altitude, rainfall, temperature, plants and animals. The zones occupy belts of approximately 1,000 meters of altitude each.
♦ In general, the temperature falls between one degree centigrade for every 200 meters’ increase in altitude
♦ Trained emergency rescue personnel are posted at all the camps above 3000m. Rescue is usually a bumpy ride down on a single wheeled gurney. This is an incentive to avoid injury.
♦ The ascent up Kilimanjaro is gradual, which helps considerably in becoming accustomed to increases in altitude. Kilimanjaro rises above the 18000ft level which exposes climbers to the risk of cerebral (brain swelling) or pulmonary (fluid build up in the lungs) edema. Symptoms of the former are a persistent dry cough and shortness of breath while symptoms of the latter are severe headache, loss of equilibrium and eventual loss of consciousness. These are dangerous symptoms and can cause death.
♦ The meaning of the word “Kilimanjaro” is shrouded in mystery, but some experts believe it means “White Mountain.”
Right, this is exactly what I am getting myself in for…. !!
Walking4Air 