Soldato
They are stunning pictures
Aah nice It's not quite as tall as kili, but our guide was saying that it's actually a tougher climb because of ice and slipperiness etc. But he was probably just trying to make us feel better hehe
I probably would do it again at some point. Not anytime right now because it is by far the hardest physical thing i've done (i'm not exactly an exercise buff ) and need a break But yes, has made me a bit more eager to go on other walking hikes and the like.
Tips wise - Eat food. It becomes harder and harder as you go up because you lose appetite but your guides will tell you as well, just force feed yourself. I got lucky enough to not have a big problem in this way except that I couldn't stand the thought of drinking soup or any liquid type food after the 3rd day but was fine with solid. But another guy in our group just had no appetite at all. Didn't eat except tiny tiny bits for almost 4 days. He did manage to summit (not all the way, but to another summit point called 'Stella Point', but was spitting blood by the time he did!.
Also, water. Drink plenty of water. This is stuff that they'l tell you as well. This was my first time camping/hiking so I kinda took everything in case it was needed. But the best thing I rented, by far, were those hiking poles. I had never used them before in my life but my god did they come in handy. And right from day 1. Apart from that, just remember, 'pole pole'. Which means 'slowly slowly'. Assuming meru is similar to kili in how you climb it, you just walk nice and slow. Don't try going too quickly. At higher altitudes you won't be able to anyway, lol. I was out of breath at 15,000 just from changing my clothes in the tent!
Yea, Zara were brilliant. I probably read the same things as you online but booked through a US company who turned out were using Zara in Tanzania. The hotel they put us in was great, though the food could've been better. During the trip, took care of us really well. Nice food, better than what we expected and hot tea/coffee/hot chocolate with every meal and at the end of each hike. The food was generally porridge in the morning with some eggs and sausages and every meal was usually soup and then a main dish. A toilet tent set up just for our group as well! hehe.
Oh and take diamox with you. Is useful. I've almost never had a headache in my life (yes i've been ill plenty of times. Just no headaches ) and I started having one on the first day on this trip cause of the altitude. Diamox took it away though and then pretty much no issues that way.
Feel free to catch me here or on msn if you have any more questions
Well done mate some nice photos there
How come you didn't manage to get to the top?
Did you pick up any other swahili vocab? Like asante sana?
Only ever flown past Kilimanjaro on my way to Pemba Isand and Zanzaibar Island! Looked beautiful. Tanzania is a great country in general.
Nice pics as well
Thanks for posting your experiences and great photos (display here ok on my 24" screen )
I've only recently started taking up hill walking this past year by doing the Mourne Seven Sevens and the 3 peak challenge and your post has definitely given food for thought.
Although along way off for me, would you be able to provide any links to the operators who organise these expeditions?
Cheers