Kilimanjaro - any fellow travellers?

Hi Lucy, I'm on the Kili trip that departs the UK on 10th Feb, and arrives in Marangu on 11th Feb. Is that the same one as you're on?

Hi Lucy/GMcNamara,

I'm on the Rongai Route trip leaving on the 10th. Any fellow travellers out there getting ready?

Paul 

Yes that's the one, unfortunetly wouldn't let me select the 10th. I'm a complete bundle of nerves keep thinking that I have forgot something vital! Very excited at the same time! Also have been debating about whether to take Diamox (think that is how it is spelt), is it something you guys are thinking about taking (if you don't mind me asking) or not?

Yes, we do have some Diamox tablets. I got them from Nomad travel clinic up in London. They gave lots of good advice, including taking the tablets for a 2 day trial before you go - to get an idea of what side effects you might experience. I think I will take them prophylactically, rather than wait and use them as a "treatment" for mild AMS. If you can get some tablets to take along with you, then at least you've got them if you decide you want to take them later on. Hope that helps?? Endlessly making lists of things I still need to get - know what you mean about forgetting something vital!

Yes great help thank you. I have ordered some tablets now and am hoping that they will be here in time. If not then so be it :-) I can't believe how quickly it has come round! The only other thing I was wondering is that my 'day pack' is just a rucksack! It holds my water and quite a few other bits in it but hope that it will be enough! Sorry for all the questions/rants I think it's all the nerves and excitement!

Hi, forgive me for poking my nose in but you really do not need diamox. The guides will monitor you each day they have supplies of diamox if they decide you do need it. If you fall ill and you're already taking diamox then you won't be able to take it to relieve those symptoms. I and 2 others did the Rongai Route last month. It is a great route for easing up the altitude. We plodded at the correct pace each day and watched others speed by but we all got to the top and they didn't. The most we had was a mild headache (which we were told we would get) on day 3 which was solved by paracetamol. Each day you will climb high and sleep low and on the summit day you will do a raise your legs thingy and trust me it all works. Eat well, drink well and sleep well. We all summited. Summit day was tough due to the walk to Kibo in the morning, the summit itself and the walk to the next camp in the afternoon. Just take it steady and you will be fine. I dropped back from the other two and took a little longer but got there. If I did anything different I would not wear so many layers (go for 3 on bottom and 5 on top) on summit night and I would request more breaks on the way up for drinks. You will have a great time, enjoy.

Thank you for the advice. It's always good to hear others advice, it is hard to make the decision as everyone says different things. But always good to have a bit of reassurance :-)

Hi, I'm really excited to read all the chat. Hasnt the time come round quickly? Can't believe we're going next week. I haven't any diamox, but plenty of paracetemol, ibrufen and a good pair of walking boots. Nice to hear from anyone on the Rongai route, also from Heathrow on 10th.