Who Is Crazy Enough To Climb Kilimanjaro? I Tried. I Failed! Here's My Story

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania is one of the highest mountains in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Climbing it is a challenging and dangerous undertaking with a risk of injury and death. But the overall safety record for Kilimanjaro climbs is relatively good compared to other high-altitude climbs.
According to statistics the fatality rate for Kilimanjaro climbs is around 1 in every 1,000 climbers. The most common causes of death on Kilimanjaro are altitude sickness, falls and heart attacks.
In terms of injuries the most common injuries sustained by Kilimanjaro climbers are sprains and bruises. Also 25% of climbers experience some form of altitude sickness which can cause symptoms such as headache, nausea, and shortness of breath.
The peak of Kilimanjaro is located at 19,341 feet (5,895 meters) above sea level. Climbers need to acclimatize to the altitude gradually by spending several days on the mountain and ascending slowly to reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
The weather on Kilimanjaro is unpredictable and harsh. Climbers encounter extreme cold, high winds, rain and even snow at higher elevations.
The terrain on Kilimanjaro is varied ranging from rainforest to alpine desert. Climbers need to navigate through rocky terrain, steep inclines and uneven surfaces.
Climbing Kilimanjaro requires careful planning and preparation which is why I signed up for a tour. Climbers need to arrange for permits, hire a guide and bring all the necessary gear and supplies. They also need to choose the right route and itinerary which can affect the difficulty level of the climb.
When I got sick and ran down the mountain I was taken to the nearby town of Moshi, a town located at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. It had a hospital. Moshi is the capital of the Kilimanjaro Region. They took me to the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) which is the referral hospital for the region.
While none of my fellow climbers got altitude sickness, several people who were in the hospital at the same time that I was did. Altitude sickness is also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS). It is a common condition that affects some mountain climbers when they ascend to high altitudes too quickly. The main cause of altitude sickness is the decrease in oxygen levels at high altitudes which can lead to a range of symptoms, including headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, altitude sickness can lead to life-threatening complications such as high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high altitude cerebral edema (HACE). HAPE occurs when fluid accumulates in the lungs, while HACE is a swelling of the brain.
The risk of altitude sickness and its severity depends on several factors, including the altitude reached, the speed of ascent, the level of exertion, and individual factors such as age, fitness level, and previous experience at high altitudes. Some climbers are more susceptible to altitude sickness than others and there is no way to predict who will be affected.
I would like to thank some of the advertisers on my video including climbing Mount Saint Helens, hiking Mount Saint Helens, mountain St. Helens Summit hike, Mount Everest guides, Kilimanjaro trek, black diamond swift ice axe, best Botswana tour, tour operators in South Africa, Kenya Safari and Tanzania Safari.
And thank you to all of my viewers for watching my story.
David Hoffman filmmaker