Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the most famous and visited mountains in the world. Located in Tanzania, the mountain stands at 19,000 feet above sea level. People have many different reasons for visiting this site in east Africa. Climbers and hikers mark Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, on their list of mountains to visit. Learn at least three reasons why you should climb Kilimanjaro.
The Highest Peak
Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant stratovolcano with three volcanic cones: Shira, Kibo, and Mawenzi. Kibo stands at the highest and Shira is the shortest at 13,000 feet. Mountain climbers like the challenge of climbing to the highest peak in Africa and one of the highest ones in the entire world.
The risk of death is another major reason why people decide to reach the summit. Adventurers want to test their own limits. The higher up they climb the mountain, or the farther they get from sea level, the less oxygen they receive. They are more prone to suffer from altitude sickness, which is caused by a lack of oxygen at a high altitude. The sickness occurs at 6,500 feet and causes flu-like symptoms, such as dizziness, nausea and sensations of pins and needles. The worst form of the sickness could turn into a cerebral edema that causes sudden death.
At this level, climbers need supplemental oxygen to breathe normally. Many of them never reach the peak because they pass out and die. When climbers reach the top, they know that they have beaten the odds and become one of the lucky ones. Overall, the challenge to climb one of the highest and most dangerous peaks in the world is a draw for these people.
The Natural Landscape
Mount Kilimanjaro is not just a mountain peak, but also an exotic landscape and a rich ecosystem. Hundreds of thousands of acres are covered by forests. At a high altitude, the natural vegetation is less present. There are ravines and valleys along with hills placed all over the mountain. The varying climate is another highlight of the mountain. The temperature decreases the more that the climb increases. Around the springtime, there is a rainy season, and during the winter, there is occasional snowfall.
Most climbers enjoy viewing the diverse landscape of this freestanding mountain. They like the challenge of learning how to survive in the various weather conditions. The scenery of climbing a very high mountain is another reason to climb Kilimanjaro.
Mount Kilimanjaro continues to be the most attractive site in all of Tanzania and eastern Africa. Thousands of people attempt to climb to reach this mountain peak, but not all of them make it. The challenge of reaching the top is the main attraction for serious climbers. Adventurers are encouraged to know more about the mountain and visit it successfully.
