Mountain Rock Climbing An Exhilarating Outdoor Activity

Are you interested in attempting an outdoor activity, such as rock climbing, mountain rock climbing or even ice climbing? Taking up rock climbing can be an extremely exciting and rewarding adventure. If you are looking for an alternative to the gym to keep healthy, mountain climbing will be truly more rewarding and ultimately more engaging.

If you are just starting out with your mountain climbing adventures it will important to begin with taking a class. This will enable you learn the basics of climbing, necessary equipment needed, and safety measures that need to be followed. A great place to find this information will at an outdoor equipment centre. Here you will be able to lay up hands on some useful brochures to guide you in the right direction to the closest climbing areas and professional climbing services.

In order to establish which guide service or organization to use, take the time to ask some questions about the credentials and experience gained by the instructor that will be taking you climbing. You climbing adventure should be a fun and rewarding experience, so make sure to choose an instructor that will support you, enable you to relax and not feel intimidated in anyway.

At some stage it will be necessary to purchase the climbing gear; notable equipment will include climbing shoes, harness, chalk bag and a helmet. It may be wise to start out by just renting the gear, which is often available, until you determine that you do actually enjoy you climbing activities. A full one day course is usually sufficient to explore the sport to see if you will enjoy it for the long run.

It can take a lifetime to pursue all the disciplines of climbing. Is now the time to start on your journey with mountain rock climbing?

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Health Issues Whilst On Safari Around

Hiking in hot or sunny weather often causes heat exhaustion. The signs/symptoms are weakness/fatigue, headache, vertigo, thirst nausea/vomiting, faintness, and high body temperature. The treatment is to lay flat in shade, remove clothing to cool the patient, soak the body with cold water, re-hydrate patient and monitor body temperature.

Heat stroke is more serious with the signs/symptoms being delirium, coma, rapid pulse, rapid breathing; skin hot and dry, body temperature above 40c [104 f]. Treat as for heat exhaustion but this condition can be fatal, so seek medical assistance quickly - evacuate if possible.

Wildlife: Try to avoid interaction; normally the wildlife will try to avoid you. Buffalo or elephant may attack if surprised or provoked. When hiking in forest or dense bush, clap often or call out if met by an aggressive animal and at all times follow the instructions of your armed guide. Never feed wild animals. Baboons and monkeys are highly dangerous and they can steel by force as they have learnt to get food from the tourists.

Weather in Tanzania has a rainy season, November through to May, with sometimes a dryer season January to March, dividing the season into short and long rains. It never rains all the time. The dry season is June to October, the coldest month being July with high altitudes reaching temperatures below freezing.

If you become lost, remain where you are. Your guide will look for you and find you quicker if are on the trail - this sometimes happens in fog or dense forest. A day pack should include instant body shelter, warm clothing and a water proof jacket, matches or lighter, a mirror or whistle for signaling, food and drink [especially water], basic first aid, torch and a compass.

Some areas have stinging nettles, so no shorts in these areas as stings cause temporary but painful irritations

Safari ants are small, shiny brown ants moving rapidly in columns across trails. They are common and carnivorous; they crawl up your trouser legs and start to chew. Tuck trousers into socks and watch where you step and especially where you stand still.

Acacia thorns, "cat claws" of the wait-a-bit thorn tree, rip skin and clothing. The thorn is long and straight and can pierce soft soled shoes and even car tyres, so take care and try not to wear sandals.

Ticks may be found long grass. To remove a tick, grasp the head and jerk out of skin.

Snakes will usually avoid humans the puff add being one exception. This snake is sluggish and slow to move. When moving around in the dark, use a torch to avoid a most unwelcome encounter with the puff adder.

Scorpions lurk in the dry country under rocks, behind bark and sometimes climb into boots, clothing or equipment left out at night. The sting from a scorpion can cause severe pain for several hours.

When on a walking safari, mountain climbing, or walking round the safari camp, it is advisable to be aware of the following guidelines on health and safety in the African Bush.

Altitude related illness: These illnesses can kill you and every year tourists die from altitude related illnesses. Higher altitudes are colder, even in Africa. There is less oxygen and to walk slowly is essential, especially for hikes or climbs above 1,500 to 3,000 meters above sea level. You should be breathing easily with no panting and no extreme physical exertion. Drink water regularly and eat a light diet with lots of carbohydrates. It is essential to keep warm.

Hypothermia or exposure: This is a life threatening condition with a lowering of body temperature and can occur with a temperature as high as 10 c [50 f] usually caused by cold wet clothing or simply being poorly clothed for the conditions. The signs/symptoms include clumsiness, stumbling, apathy, lethargy, confusion, disorientation, and eventually unconsciousness. Treatment for this is to immediately place the patient in a warm, dry environment - a sleeping bag is ideal, with one or even two people inside the sleeping bag with the patient. Warm, energy rich drinks help, as does rest, with a return to camp as quickly as possible.

Acute Mountain sickness: This affects many people above 2,050 meters [or 10,000 ft]. The signs/symptoms include headache, nausea fatigue, malaise, loss of appetite, restless or no sleep. The treatment is to slow down, remain in camp, drink water, and rest your body. It is important to adjust to altitude slowly. In case of severe headaches, loss of coordination, breathing difficulties, evacuate immediately for a quick decent to a lower altitude and seek medical attention. This condition kills tourists every year in Tanzania!

In conclusion: To protect yourself - dress correctly and drink plenty. Climbing in mountains or highland, prepare for extremes. Watch yourself, for day time temperatures can reach 35 c with little shade yet it may well be freezing at night at higher altitudes. Fine weather can turn into fog or rain quickly. Always carry a waterproof and dry clothing in a plastic bag to keep warm. Wool and synthetics are better than cotton or down - to keep cool, cotton is the better option. Protect yourself from the sun with a hat, sunglasses, skin protection and do drink plenty of water whilst eating a diet high in carbohydrates for energy. Avoid alcohol at high altitudes.

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A few questions commonly asked about climbing Kilimanjaro

Q. We hear the Marangu route is overcrowded and should be avoided? A. Marangu route must be booked in advance, this route uses huts for accommodation and to avoid overcrowding numbers are strictly supervised. It is or at least was the most popular route for first time climb. Most operators now recommend the Machame route for your first attempt on Kilimanjaro.

Q. Does an extra day help acclimatization? A. Most guidebooks recommend that climbers spend an extra day during the Marangu route climb. Statistics can be quoted to back up an argument for or against an extra day for acclimatization. Every person I have ever spoken to who took the extra day did not regret it. All other matters aside an extra day spent on the ascent is great because it makes the whole climb more relaxed and gives an opportunity to go on some pleasant walks. The most important factor for success is the overall approach to the climb, listen to your guide.

Q. If there is a problem on the mountain what are the rescue procedures? A. The national park operates a rescue service, and the huts on the Marangu route are linked to each other and to the park headquarters by radio. In the vast majority of emergency cases, the problem is altitude related and the solution is an immediate and rapid descent. All registered guides are experienced at dealing with such cases and can bring climbers down to safe altitudes very quickly and without park assistance

Q.The success rate on Kilimanjaro is less than forty percent. Is this true? A. Some people climb Kilimanjaro without taking the climb seriously and have a nasty shock as they realize what they have let themselves in for. Therefore they may be inadequately equipped and fed; they then have a miserable time ending up with a fruitless climb. Make sure that you are properly informed and equipped. I would say most guides have [or at least claim to have] a success rate to the crater rim in excess of 90% and to Uhuru peak at around 85%. It is said that reaching the summit is a bonus, but should never be seen as the sole aim of the climb - but who starts to climb Kilimanjaro without wanting to reach the summit - to do this be prepared and listen to your guide because he knows best!

Q.How cold does it get on Kilimanjaro? A. The temperature at the top of the mountain vary; at times it is only a degree or two below freezing, but it is possible to have temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius, especially in with wind chill factor. At times there are snow blizzards and to walk across the saddle in a blizzard is hard work. It has been known for snow to stop climbing on the mountain for short periods.

Q.What should I know about altitude sickness? A. There are different types of altitude sickness. "Acute mountain sickness" is common, and is not as frightening as its name suggests. The symptoms are headaches, nausea and vomiting, though not everyone suffers from all the symptoms. Normally, symptoms fade after a few hours, but if they do not a climber may need to turn back, especially if vomiting is leading to dehydration.

A much more serious type of altitude sickness is called oedema. This is a build-up of fluid in the body, and when the fluid collects in the lungs or the brain a serious condition develops which requires immediate action which is a rapid descent to a lower altitude, where recovery is usually miraculously fast.

I recommend sun creams with SPF 30, as the sun near the equator is very strong. Don't forget to have something to protect your lips as well and not forgetting personal items & toiletries toothpaste & tooth brush, body lotion, toilet paper and other personal hygiene items.

Related sources:
thejumapage.co.uk
tanzania-info.co.uk
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