[pct-l] Kilimanjaro

[LadybugHikes]

I was referred to this thread by a fellow PCT thru-hiker. I have distanced hiked the AT, the PCT, the Ohio Buckeye Trail, among others, and also plan to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro this summer. Just like planning for all of the trails that I have hiked, I have planned for this journey as well. I am using a guide company with a great scorecard. I am following all of their advice. I had a complete physical by my MD, I made an appointment with Passport Health to receive all of the recommended vaccines, and I have met with a local author, Daniel Dorr, who wrote
"Kissing Kilimanjaro." Just like a distance hike, age is not a factor in whether or not one tags the summit. I would never even consider climbing Kilimanjaro without proper training and trying to simulate the level of fitness that will be necessary for me to succeed. Even then, some of the world's most seasoned athletes will not be able to tag the summit, at any given elevation.
Martina Navratilova was forced to turn around at an elevation of 14,000' because her lungs were beginning to fill up with fluid. Yet, a man of seventy-three, with no prior experience did tag the summit. There is no rhyme or reason as to why some reach the summit and others do not. I am taking eleven days to reach the summit. I reside at an elevation of 857' and elected to travel a less popular, wilderness route. I plan to travel to CO to acclimatize two weeks before I leave for Africa. I believe that my long-distance hiking experience will help me with proper layering, hydration, nutrition, and Mother Nature. I do not believe that anything can prepare me for what I will experience in the mysterious mountains at 19,341'. I love the anticipation of this adventure and the pre-journey preparations just as much as I loved planning my distance hikes. While Kili is not a technical climb, I have done my research and prepared accordingly.