Saturday, 2 July 2016

Mountaineering: How To Go About Training For Kilimanjaro

By Charles Snyder


If you are an adventurous person, you ought to try mountaineering at some point. With so many mountains to choose from, there is a unique thrill that comes with visiting the East African nation of Tanzania. The country is home to several parks and a world renowned mountain. Before embarking on your trip, it is advisable to do some training for Kilimanjaro.

Just like any other hiking venture, mountain climbing requires that you have the necessary equipment at all times. When packing, do not forget to include a pair or two of warm water resistant jackets, some warm pants, insulated shirts, a first aid box and a nice pair of hiking boots. Due to the nature of the weather in mountainous environments, light clothing is not appropriate.

The contents of the first aid kit should include medications that you may use to treat any high altitude complication. Even then, make a point to seek advice from a doctor before traveling. You should only make these preparations once you have no doubt in your resolve to hike to the top of the mountain. The only way to increase your confidence is through rigorous training.

It is a good thing to embark on rigorous exercises two months before your departure, especially if it is your first time doing so. It takes roughly a week for an amateur team to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. This is easily understandable since the mountain is the highest in Africa. Stamina is the main factor that will determine success in climbing, so focus on building it as you train.

Considering you will be walking with at least twenty pounds of luggage on your back, you might want to consider carrying a similarly sized backpack back at home for a few miles every day. Some of the recommended exercises include hiking, bike riding, running and swimming. All these exercises are known to build muscle strength and increase stamina.

Conditioning your body to metabolize at an optimal level is also important. It should be able to use oxygen efficiently even when the supply is low. Oxygen levels always drop as you go higher up a mountain. To aid potential climbers train for this aspect, manufacturers of exercise equipment make systems geared towards high altitude training these days. A typical system may simulate the environment around a mountain so as to help the body learn to acclimatize to such an environment. Look for a fitness center that has good equipment close to your neighborhood and start exercising.

During your hike, you may suffer medical complications unknowingly if you do not follow the right procedures. Visit you doctor for tests beforehand just to make sure you are not suffering from any hidden medical conditions. You ought to have a normal heart beat rate and blood pressure. Park attendants always require visitors to take medical tests on site before climbing.

In Tanzania, the medical practitioner on site will not advise you to proceed if your heart rate goes beyond a hundred beats per minute. This is something that you may probably already know as a result of the regular interactions with medical practitioners back home. If you train every day, you can easily monitor your heart rate and arrive at a baseline.




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