Kilimanjaro Altitude Sickness - Introduction and Cause
Technically an ascent of Kilimanjaro is classified as entry into the Extremely High altitude zone. Altitude is defined on the following scale: High Altitude Classification of Zones
- High 2,500 - 3,500 meters
- Very High 3,500 - 5,500 meters
- Extremely High 5,500+ meters
No specific factors such as age, sex, or physical condition can be used to predict susceptibility to altitude sickness. Some get it and others simply don't. Most people can go up to 2,500 m without significant discomfort.
What Causes Altitude Sickness?
Air at sea level comprises about 21% oxygen, while the barometric pressure averages about 1 bar (1000 mbar). As altitude increases, the oxygen concentration remains the same but since the pressure falls the number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced.
At 3,500 meters the barometric pressure is only about 630 mbar (depending on weather conditions), so there are roughly 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath. In order then to supply adequate amounts of oxygen to your body your breathing rate - even while resting - must increase.
This extra breathing increases the amount of oxygen in the blood, but not to sea level volumes. Since the amount of oxygen required for activity is the same, the body must adjust itself to coping with less oxygen. This process is known as acclimatisation. Failure to give your body the opportunity to undergo this process may lead to a dangerous condition known as AMS, or acute mountain sickness.
Many people spend a lot of time and money training and equipping themselves for a Kilimanjaro climb, only to fail in their objective of reaching the summit. Failure is avoidable and we really want trekkers to understand how to prevent it.
There are three usual methods for climbers to reach Arusha:
A growing number of Team Kilimanjaroβs climbers are nowadays climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for charity. While of course many of our climbers will climb Kilimanjaro with us without our necessarily knowing that they are raising money for charity while they climb, we suggest that it may nonetheless be in the interests of their cause to let us know, if they are happy to do so. Indeed, for some climbers the knowledge that climbing Kilimanjaro for charity may allow them to offset some of their own fundraising costs may be instrumental in their decision to climb, if they are in any doubt at the outset as to whether they are in a suitable position to finance their proposed fundraising trip.
Climbers would usually expect to be collected from their hotel by their guide and support team at 0730 on the morning of their climb. Where there are climbers staying at different hotels this pick-up time may be deferred slightly. Climbers joining climbs on which there are other climbers staying at different hotels who wish to have an accurate estimate of their amended pick-up time are asked to either call or SMS our Arusha office.
Having had lunch at Moshi (assuming time permits following your descent) and been transferred back to your hotel after the climb, if you are booked into the same hotel that you stayed in before your climb the reception staff ought to have retrieved your bags from their lock room and would normally have this waiting for you at reception. Occasionally however, particularly when your hotel is busy, this may not be possible and you may have to wait while a member of staff goes to the lock room and retrieves your bag for you.
Our attitude to safety is unique in that our founder is from time to time contracted by Kilimanjaro National Park Authority to conduct safety work on the mountain and to advise on route selection and accident prevention.
AMS, or acute mountain sickness is common at high altitudes. At elevations over 3,000m three quarters of people can expect to suffer mild symptoms. The occurrence of altitude sickness is dependent upon several factors, such as elevation, rate of ascent, and the individualβs susceptibility. Many people experience mild altitude sickness during the normal acclimatization process. The mild discomfort that accompanies this adaptation should be considered normal and acceptable.
Technically an ascent of Kilimanjaro is classified as entry into the Extremely High altitude zone. Altitude is defined on the following scale: High Altitude Classification of Zones