Our regular client, Sam, travelled to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Here’s Sam’s introduction to Africa’s highest mountain, her account of a fantastic achievement, and her top tips for trekkers …

Kilimanjaro

“Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the world’s ‘Seven Summits’ (the highest mountain peaks on each of the continents). It has three volcanic peaks – Shira, Mawenzi and Kibo. There are three official summits points including Stella Point, Gillman’s Point and Uhuru Peak (the true summit which stands at 5895m). It is also the highest free standing mountain in the world.

The Northern Circuit is a newer, less explored and quieter route, compared to the other well-established routes on Kili, like Machame (seven days – aka the ‘Whiskey’ route), Lemosho ( eight days), Marangu (six-seven days – aka the ‘Coca Cola’ route), Rongai (six days) and Umbwe (the shortest and hardest route).

More days on the mountain means more time for the body to acclimatise at high altitude, and the highest chances of a successful summit. The terrain involves a lot of ascents and descents on uneven ground as you move from one camp to the next on a daily basis. All routes on Kilimanjaro offer you a great chance to walk through all five ‘biomes’; these include Cultivation, Rainforest, Moorland, Alpine Desert and Arctic Zones.

‘Summit Night’ is by far the hardest part of the entire trek. Not only do you set out at midnight in freezing cold, but also the day is very long and you hike for thirteen to sixteen hours!  It is both physically and mentally demanding. You have to ‘dig deep’ and maintain resilience, determination and sheer will-power until hours after the summit when you have descended to your overnight camp.

Sam’s Story

“My hiking journey was actually kickstarted by my loving family for me in 2018, when I was gifted a Himalayan river rafting and trekking experience for my 40th birthday, that included summiting a 4000m peak  – I had no idea what I was being signed up for!

Although I succeeded in that trip, I didn’t enjoy myself as much, as I was unsure about pretty much everything out there. After this, I started getting more involved in local park runs, jogs, longer walks for charity and weekend hikes. There came a point when I felt hiking was like a ‘moving meditation’ and nature’s therapy for me. The more I did it, the more I learnt to love it. I also took up more challenges like the National Three Peak challenge (2019) and Yorkshire Three  Peaks (2023),  just so I was challenged differently, and not just ‘hanging out’ in my comfort zone.

My first ever high altitude trek was the classic fourteen days Everest Base Camp Trek in 2023 – this was a beautiful lifetime experience for me.

It was in early 2024, as I was looking up walks in Peak District, I found Peak Walking Adventures, where I immediately signed up for a Fitness Walk led by Richard. I have thoroughly enjoyed my guided practice walks in preparation, and gained a lot of knowledge – he is passionate and enthusiastic about the hills and always happy to help out. The guides are highly recommended!”

Sam’s Top Tips for Trekking

• Have a training plan that works for you! Bear in mind, what works for someone else might not work for you.
• Keep your training mixed and fun. Get outdoors and on the trail more with your backpack; if you have access to hills even better!
• Look for walking groups like Peak Walking Adventures that make practice hikes so easy and fun.
• Invest in good kit and test it all before you pack and fly; it’s important that you are comfortable in your gear rather than trialling them on the big trek, break into your boots especially!
• Hydration, food, protein / multivitamin supplements, sleep and stretching before/after your hike are all key to an enjoyable day.
• Treat every day with the same amount of excitement and enthusiasm, not just summit or base camp day – it’s the whole journey that matters!
• “Pole!, Pole!” In Swahili, this means “Slowly, Slowly!” You will hear the guides repeat this mantra –  just follow it, it may seem difficult initially but they are right and absolutely mean it.
• Enjoy each day as it comes and make it better for yourself than the previous day.

Planning a Trek or Charity Challenge?

See our Trek Training Advice here >

Join us on a Fitness Walk before you go.  Walks and Booking Information here >