Thousands of climbers attempt to summit the roof of Africa each year.
Here’s what it’s like to be one of them.
Mary Robnett/Travel + Leisure
Thousands of climbers attempt to summit the roof of Africa each year.
Credit:Mary Robnett/Travel + Leisure
At 19,341 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro, in northeastern Tanzania, is the largest freestanding mountain in the world.
I should know I was one of them.
Here’s what you should probably know about each.
Mary Robnett/Travel + Leisure
Montane Forest Zone
Altitude range:6,000 to 9,200 ft
Our trek began in the biodiverse vegetation zone.
The lush rainforest is filled with vibrant green plants and moss-covered trees.
Thanks to our cook, Leonard, and assistant, Seraphine, a magnificent dinner spread awaited us.
Mary Robnett/Travel + Leisure
Did you hear the hyenas last night?
Our porters darted ahead of us on the trail, apt to set up camp for the night.
Its essential to book with a trekking outfitter who is partnered with KPAP to ensure socially responsible climbs.
Mary Robnett/Travel + Leisure
We made it to our next camp, Mawenzi Tarn, in time for lunch.
We heard the sounds of a helicopter zipping by from the direction of Kibo.
Acclimatization hikes like this help your body adjust to higher altitudes.
Mary Robnett/Travel + Leisure
At night, I had trouble sleeping due to the cold.
We were now above 14,000 feet and exposed to the wind that howled outside our tent.
This plateau was a barren wind tunnel of rocks and scattered animal bones.
Mary Robnett/Travel + Leisure
Clouds obscured most of Kibo and the trail ahead.
We arrived at Kibo Hut windswept and covered in a film of volcanic dust.
After an early dinner, we slept a few hours before our 11 p.m. wake-up call.
Mary Robnett/Travel + Leisure
Our summit push began at midnight in sub-zero temperatures.
At midnight, we began our ascent under the moonlight.
“Pole pole,” David said, pronounced po-lay, which means “slowly” in Swahili.
Mary Robnett/Travel + Leisure
My headlamp illuminated a patch of dirt ahead of David’s feet.
Shuffling upward, I fell into a rhythm, slow but steady.
Small bits of rock and volcanic ash, several inches deep, crunched under my boots.
Mary Robnett/Travel + Leisure
““Poa[I’m cool],” I responded.
“I feel good no altitude sickness.
But my feet are so cold,” I laughed in disbelief.
Mary Robnett/Travel + Leisure
“My toesthey’re freezing!”
I took a sip of water, and it was time to keep moving.
The switchbacks eventually led to a maze of rocks we scrambled over the most challenging section of the trail.
Mary Robnett/Travel + Leisure
We were standing more than three vertical miles in the sky.
I started laughing and felt drunk from the lack of oxygen.
We continued to follow the trail along the caldera edge, a moonscape.
Mary Robnett/Travel + Leisure
The summit, Uhuru Peak, lay another 689 feet ahead.
Remnants ofKibos once massive ice caphad been splintered into individual glaciers.
Adrenaline pushed us forward.David beamed with pride.
he said to the other hikers we pass.
As our small group reached Uhuru Peak, I was overcome with emotion.
Meru, another dormant volcano and second-highest mountain in Tanzania, towered to the west.
Its summit poked out of an endless sea of clouds.
David suggested I return someday to climb one of the other routes.
