5 Interesting facts about Mount Kilimanjaro
Sometimes you just have to seize opportunities as they arise. It seems like a lifetime ago as a child schooling in Nigeria, Africa that I remember learning about Kilimanjaro, the tallest Mountain in Africa.
At the start of 2014, I would never have thought that I would be standing at the base of the Majestic Mount Kilimanjaro in Moshi, Tanzania at the end of the year and on such a high! How? I was in Kenya and a good friend who was in Tanzania asked me to come over. Kenya and Tanzania are neighbours, just about 5 hours apart by road with reliable road transport. I am so glad I went for it.
“Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.” Napoleon Hill
Some interesting facts about Mount Kilimanjaro:
1. Kilimanjaro has three volcanic cones, Mawenzi, Shira and Kibo (on which Uhuru summit stands). The highest peak, Kibo is dormant and could erupt again. The most recent activity was about 200 years ago; the last major eruption was 360,000 years ago.
*For some reason, I had assumed that the mountain was a stand-alone mountain with just one peak.
2. The Mountain has various alternative climbing routes providing broad choice to climbing groups and individuals. On Kilimanjaro trekkers on fast routes reach the summit within 4-5 days and slower routes can take up to 6-9 days. Altitude Sickness is what makes the quick climb of Mount Kilimanjaro challenging.
*There is a route for everyone 🙂
Some of the Kilimanjaro climbers, about 35,000 visitors attempt to summit Kilimanjaro every year
3. It is possible to not see the Mountain when you arrive at Moshi, even though it is right there. Thick clouds sometimes hide the mountain.
*On the day I arrived at Moshi, I could not see the mountain, but the next day, the weather was better and I was able to see it. I found this fascinating
4. Mount Kilimanjaro is the “highest free-standing mountain in the world” (this means that it is not part of a mountain range). It is 19,341 feet (5,895 meters).
*Go Africa!
5. One of the things the mountain is most well-known for is the snow-capped peak of Kibo. Apparently, over the last several years, the ice and snow at the top have started to disappear. Scientists predict that within another 10 to 20 years, the snow on its peak will be completely gone.
*So visit it now rather than later!
Have you considered visiting Mount Kilimanjaro? It is definitely worth a trip 🙂
Verified from – http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/articles/kilimanjaro-facts/
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[…] Gaby Parker is originally from Brighton but has been living in London for the past ten years. She works for the NHS as a Clinical Psychologist with people with neurological and physical disabilities. In addition, she is an avid traveller! Read her story as she takes us on the journey of climbing the famous Mount Kilimanjaro! […]
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