HOW TO LESSEN AND AVOID ACUTE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS ON KILIMANJARO

To prevent altitude sickness when climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro during your adventure vacation in the heart of Africa, acclimatize yourself a few days in advance by a leisurely trip to nearby Mount Meru, where your body can adjust in delightful surroundings. Failing that, be as fit as possible and choose a tour operator offering extended itineraries with slow ascent and rest days for acclimatization with a private, experienced head guide with 250+ climbs over a 15-20 year period.

The golden rule for a trekking challenge on Kilimanjaro mountain is, “Climb High, Sleep Low”. Uhuru Trails by AfricanMecca follows this pattern with a built-in opportunity for an acclimatized rest day with an uphill excursion to spectacular wilderness sites.

The porters’ mantra, “Pole, Pole”, is the formula for summit success, “Slowly, Slowly”. Relaxation is the key to a contented Tanzanian mountain vacation, demonstrated by the “Kili shuffle”, a local adaptation of the universal hill walkers’ bent-knee, crabwise gait which avoids strain on hips, knees and ankles on steep terrain. Avoid over-exertion. Breathe slowly and deeply. This protects lung tissue from cold air and avoids stress that causes swelling and fluid build-up. Eat a high-calorie diet even when appetite fails. Avoid dehydration by drinking minimum of 5 liters of water a day in constant small sips from a tube attached to a portable supply in your backpack.

Tobacco and alcohol are out, as are sleeping tablets and anything else that depresses respiration. Laughter and singing with your porters will do far more to keep you relaxed. Prophylactic Diamox can be taken in advance to help breathing problems but does have side effects. Consult your physician to get approval. Mild altitude sickness presents a number of confusing symptoms which only someone experienced in the field can interpret reliably. Keep your guide informed, even if you think they have other causes. His expertise is your best hope of enjoying your Tanzanian mountain adventure, or at least of coping and making it to the summit.

Three-quarters of all un-acclimatized trekkers feel symptoms of mild AMS within 24 hours, and get over it with sensible care within 3 more days with rest and mild painkillers, and by sleeping lower than they have hiked during the day. When you have symptoms of moderate altitude sickness, don't go higher until they decrease. If symptoms increase, it is time to descend, rest, recover and go home with a reattempt in the future! Your body is warning you.

You are causing damage and you must stop what you are doing. You would be senseless to allow it to get beyond this stage: not only a nuisance, but a positive danger to yourself and your companions. Haste and brute force will not assure climbing success on the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro. Only a strong man or woman can allow himself or herself to be gentle. Read FAQ on Kilimanjaro for other questions in relation to you trek.

Review Below The Complete Guide On High Altitude Sickness For Your Kilimanjaro Climb

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