Trekking in africa

brencork

Hi folks, I'm planning on going trekking up Kilimanjaro in October.

I'm a little concerned about whether I've the required fitness. I mainly focus on weight training at the moment to the detriment of cardio. I can bench 120 and squat 180 (at 68kg) and can cover 2k in 8 min. Just wondering what kind of training might be recommended?

Oryx

You are fit, but you need to have fitness specific to the trek. You can sprint 2k, but trekking is lower intensity requiring endurance rather than speed. You'll need to replicate in training what you will face on your trip, long hikes over tough terrain, maybe climbing, check out your route and see.

You're starting from a good place fitness wise but should tweak it like I mention. Otherwise it may come as a shock when you start using your body in a way you're not familiar with!

ford2600

brencork wrote: »

Hi folks, I'm planning on going trekking up Kilimanjaro in October.

I'm a little concerned about whether I've the required fitness. I mainly focus on weight training at the moment to the detriment of cardio. I can bench 120 and squat 180 (at 68kg) and can cover 2k in 8 min. Just wondering what kind of training might be recommended?

3 months time is plenty to get ready.

Just walk uphill as much as you can, a carry a backpack, as you'll probably have to over there.

If Cork based your spoilt for choice; Comeraghs, Knockmealdowns and especially Galtees with in easy reach to N/NE and west cork/Kerry to the west.

If map readingd/compass work isn't your thing join a club, quicker easier way to get to know routes.

Altitude will probably be biggest obstacle, not much training you can do for that. I've heard of 2.40 marathon runner failing to get to top of Kilmanjaro in a group where very average guys did.

Best of luck

discus

brencork wrote: »

Hi folks, I'm planning on going trekking up Kilimanjaro in October.

I'm a little concerned about whether I've the required fitness. I mainly focus on weight training at the moment to the detriment of cardio. I can bench 120 and squat 180 (at 68kg) and can cover 2k in 8 min. Just wondering what kind of training might be recommended?

If you are running 2k outside in 8min, you are doing pretty well so far! But to get fit for the hills you need to start hitting hills, and drop the weights program. Your bench and squat mean nothing once you start walking an incline with a bit of weight What's your plan for the next 3 months?

I'd go out hillwalking at least once a week. ford 2600 has posted decent ideas of where to go. Carry weight, too. If you're gonna be taking 12kg up Killi then I'd be hillwalking in Ireland with 15kg+ to improve your cardio situation - as ford2600 said, the altitude is gonna get ya! Endurance running would be a decent idea too, nice medium pace with a few kilo in a rucksack wouldn't go astray either.

Tokyo

Hi OP,

I've climbed Kilimanjaro back in 1999, and as has been mentioned already, it really is more about endurance more than anything else. At 5895m, Kili is indeed a decent sized mountain, however, chances are you will be taking the Marangu route up, and as such, only the last 1000m or so is actually "climbing" - the rest is a gradual slog upwards through forest, and out into open desert plain.

Your biggest problem more than anything else will be the decrease in oxygen levels as you climb higher - the biggest mistake that people make is that they try to push through it and end up pushing themselves too far - the first time I was there I saw a woman have to turn back 100m from the top, and I pushed myself hard enough that I lost a stone and a half weight in four days - the only think that I had on my side at the time was that I was 19.

My advice - find your local mountains, or better still, mountaineering club, and head out on hikes every weekend if you can. Start off on the shorter hikes, aiming towards longer ones after a couple of months. Once you get to Kilimanjaro, spread your trek out across a decent timespan - this costs more as your permit is paid by the day, but it's worth it.

brencork

ACtually I'm based in dublin at the moment

Anyone know of any good mountaineering clubs around? I wouldn't know one end of a compass from another tbf!

Tokyo

brencork wrote: »

ACtually I'm based in dublin at the moment

Anyone know of any good mountaineering clubs around? I wouldn't know one end of a compass from another tbf!

I think it would be worth your while dropping an email to UCD mountaineering club - they should be able to point you in the right direction.

[edit] In hindsight, they will be on summer break and you may not get a response. Have you thought of posting in the Outdoor Pursuits and Wild Camping forums?

brencork

Thanks Mike, started a thread in outdoor pursuits.

Mr. CooL ICE

My father did the Camino trail two years ago. Along the way, he met loads of fellow walkers from around the world. He spent a day walking with an American couple; she was a swimming and fitness instructor for a living, while he was a triathlete. Despite this woman being at peak fitness in her field, she could only last about two hours per day before giving up getting a bus to the next hostel while he was fine.

I'd echo what has been advised above. Get walking or hiking asap as your legs need conditioning for something different to what you are used to.

nelehnage

Anyone know a good company to book Kilimanjaro climb with?

JJayoo

Make sure to buy brand new boots before you go and don't try them out until you get there....

Daisies

I climbed Kilimanjaro in Feb of last year. To be honest I didn't do too much training but had a semi decent level of fitness from running occasionally. The endurance thing didn't bother me but the summit day I found very tough. It was more a mental push through than anything physical. The altitude is something that you cannot predict how you will react to it.

Enjoy, it was an amazing experience.