This is a great video. I am totally sold on taking this route when I eventually hike Kilimanjaro, probably in the next couple of years. A good friend of mine is leaving tomorrow to climb Kili via the Marangu route and on the 5-day plan. While I wish her great luck and hope she is successful, I know that there is a 30% chance of success doing it this way.
Thanks for the feedback. I don't recommend a 5 day route unless already acclimatised. Some of our friends just did a 6 day route on a group tour in December 2023, and 2 of their group (fit US marines) didn't make it - one had to be evacuated by helicopter and another simply couldn't get to the top. Personally, I think if you're going to spend the money and effort to hike and climb Kilimanjaro then the extra day or two of the Northern Route is worth it to dramatically increase your chances of success! Besides, the hike is enjoyable, and spending a little extra time lets you enjoy it more.
@@JudessterAmazing experience! I had a bad headache on the summit, but it went away with some ibuprofen. I still think about this trip all the time. The people are so warm and friendly. I will definitely go back with my children one day.
Great video. I see you were wearing shorts with gaiters when you were pretty high up the mountain. Did this work well for you? What do you estimate the temperature was during those days?
Thanks for your comment and question. In general I like wearing shorts when trekking because it helps keep me cool. This is true even at 4000m and above. Gaiters are useful in muddy, snowy conditions, as well as in areas where there is a lot of gravel and ash or in low altitude areas where there is scratchy undergrowth that can rip up your lower legs if you're not protected. For the last part of the climb of Kilimanjaro there was a lot of ash and gravel, so on both ascent and descent it was useful to have gaiters. We used high gaiters because we already have them, but small gaiters would also have been fine. I also wore them as a precaution because we had heard there was a lot of snow at the summit, which turned out not to be the case on our summit day. We carried our crampons in our daypacks for the same reason, but ended up not needing them. I think that it's better to have something if you need it rather than not be able to complete part of a trek if you don't have it - wet/wind weather gear, a good water supply, and crampons where there could be the need all fall into this category. But I find gaiters are a very personal thing: I like to wear gaiters but others find them constricting and uncomfortable. Temperature at the summit was very cold, around -20C. But base camp at 4700m was around 10C during the day, so not too cold - nice to walk in shorts if you like cool temperature walking. On the northern side of the mountain it was 15C during the day, so very pleasant to walk in shorts. Setting off at 11pm from base camp was around 0C and walking slowly, so definite need for thermals and many layers. On the descent we took most of our layers off at Stella Point so that we were going down in tshirt and shorts - to avoid overheating. I hope this helps in your preparation!
Hi, Good luck for your climb in October. I'm using a very old version of Adobe Premiere (2015!) to edit, and will need to upgrade in the future to cope with 4K. As for music I just use music from film scores that fit the mood I'm trying to create, and then cut to the music. Nothing fancy.
We used Altezza travel, and you can either join a group on fixed dates (cheaper) or do a private tour if there are no group tours on the dates you want. Prices vary by the number of people in the group, and you can see the prices at: altezza.travel/en/price/climbing
Great achievement! Welldone! Keep climbing.
Thanks! You too!
This is a great video. I am totally sold on taking this route when I eventually hike Kilimanjaro, probably in the next couple of years. A good friend of mine is leaving tomorrow to climb Kili via the Marangu route and on the 5-day plan. While I wish her great luck and hope she is successful, I know that there is a 30% chance of success doing it this way.
Thanks for the feedback. I don't recommend a 5 day route unless already acclimatised. Some of our friends just did a 6 day route on a group tour in December 2023, and 2 of their group (fit US marines) didn't make it - one had to be evacuated by helicopter and another simply couldn't get to the top. Personally, I think if you're going to spend the money and effort to hike and climb Kilimanjaro then the extra day or two of the Northern Route is worth it to dramatically increase your chances of success! Besides, the hike is enjoyable, and spending a little extra time lets you enjoy it more.
Excellent narration and video. I will trek this trail in November but sleep near the glacier after the summit!
Thanks! Good idea to explore the crater and sleep near the glacier at the top. Looking forward to hear how you go!
How did it go? I’m doing this route and sleeping near the glacier next month.
@@JudessterAmazing experience! I had a bad headache on the summit, but it went away with some ibuprofen. I still think about this trip all the time. The people are so warm and friendly. I will definitely go back with my children one day.
Great video. I see you were wearing shorts with gaiters when you were pretty high up the mountain. Did this work well for you? What do you estimate the temperature was during those days?
Thanks for your comment and question. In general I like wearing shorts when trekking because it helps keep me cool. This is true even at 4000m and above. Gaiters are useful in muddy, snowy conditions, as well as in areas where there is a lot of gravel and ash or in low altitude areas where there is scratchy undergrowth that can rip up your lower legs if you're not protected. For the last part of the climb of Kilimanjaro there was a lot of ash and gravel, so on both ascent and descent it was useful to have gaiters. We used high gaiters because we already have them, but small gaiters would also have been fine. I also wore them as a precaution because we had heard there was a lot of snow at the summit, which turned out not to be the case on our summit day. We carried our crampons in our daypacks for the same reason, but ended up not needing them. I think that it's better to have something if you need it rather than not be able to complete part of a trek if you don't have it - wet/wind weather gear, a good water supply, and crampons where there could be the need all fall into this category. But I find gaiters are a very personal thing: I like to wear gaiters but others find them constricting and uncomfortable. Temperature at the summit was very cold, around -20C. But base camp at 4700m was around 10C during the day, so not too cold - nice to walk in shorts if you like cool temperature walking. On the northern side of the mountain it was 15C during the day, so very pleasant to walk in shorts. Setting off at 11pm from base camp was around 0C and walking slowly, so definite need for thermals and many layers. On the descent we took most of our layers off at Stella Point so that we were going down in tshirt and shorts - to avoid overheating. I hope this helps in your preparation!
wonderful wonderful video and achievement. im climbing in october, same route. hpw do i create a video like yours? music? licence?
Hi, Good luck for your climb in October. I'm using a very old version of Adobe Premiere (2015!) to edit, and will need to upgrade in the future to cope with 4K. As for music I just use music from film scores that fit the mood I'm trying to create, and then cut to the music. Nothing fancy.
You might be able to find music on Epidemic Sound, and there won't be licensing issues with RUclips.
good job
How much did it cost you to climb the mountain?
We used Altezza travel, and you can either join a group on fixed dates (cheaper) or do a private tour if there are no group tours on the dates you want. Prices vary by the number of people in the group, and you can see the prices at: altezza.travel/en/price/climbing