The structural
geology of Mount Kilimanjaro
is an interesting one due to the fact that Kilimanjaro is no
ordinary mountain, but rather an enormous stratovocano.
Stratovolcanoes are formed when erupted ash and cinders mix
with lava flows and cool to produce a steep conical
formation. These types of volcanoes usually take tens of
thousands of years to materialize and may consist of a
number of lava forms including dacite, basalt and andesite
to name but a few. The
structural geology of Mount Kilimanjaro
is an interesting one due to the fact that Kilimanjaro is no
ordinary mountain, but rather an enormous stratovocano.
Stratovolcanoes are formed when erupted ash and cinders mix
with lava flows and cool to produce a steep conical
formation. These types of volcanoes usually take tens of
thousands of years to materialize and may consist of a
number of lava forms including dacite, basalt and andesite
to name but a few.
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Kilimanjaro National Park
takes in the area above the 8,850 feet, or 2,700 meters, on the
mountain. It includes the moorland and highland zones, Shira Plateau,
Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. In addition, the Park has six corridors or
rights of way through the Kilimanjaro Forest Reserve. The Forest
Reserve, which is also a Game Reserve, was established in 1921; the Park
was established in 1973 and officially opened in 1977.
Arab and Chinese traders and historians make mention of a giant mountain
lying inland from Mombasa or
Zanzibar
but few early traders ventured into the interior of the continent. Slave
traders passed below it and sometimes raided the villages of the Wa
Chagga but it was not till the middle of the 19th century that a more
serious interest was taken in the mountain and attempts were made to
scale it.
In 1848 Johann Rebman a missionary from Gerlingen in Germany while
crossing the plains of Tsavo saw Mount Kilimanjaro. His guide talked of
baridi - cold, and of tales how a group of porters were sent up the
mountain to bring back the silver or other treasures from the summit.
They came back only with water. Rebmann's report stimulated great
interest in Germany and in the following years several expeditions were
organised first by Baron von Decken then later by Dr. Hans Meyer who
finally stood on the highest point on the 5th of October 1889.
Kilimanjaro stands a scant 205 miles south of the equator, on the northern
boundary of Tanzania. Its location on an open plain close to the Indian
Ocean, and its great size and height strongly influence the climate,
vegetation, animal life and the climbing conditions. It is made up of three
extinct volcanoes: Kibo 19,340 feet (5,895 meters), Mawenzi 16,896 feet
(5,149 meters); and Shira 13,000 feet (3,962 meters).
Even though you can climb throughout the year, January, February and
September are the best months, with July, August, November and December also
being good.
Equatorial to arctic conditions are present on Kilimanjaro. The range begins
with the warm, dry plains with average temperatures of 85°F, ascends through
a wide belt of wet tropical forest, through zones with generally decreasing
temperatures and rainfall, to the summit where there is permanent ice and
below freezing temperatures.
The rainiest period is March to June. The fact that most months of the year
have so few rainy days makes it possible to climb in relatively good
conditions year round. During the rainy period of March to May, clouds tend
to pile up and over the summit, dropping snow on top and rain at the base.
Visibility can be limited by cloud cover even when no rain falls. The
temperature at this time of year is relatively warm. The dry season
beginning in late June and through July can be very cold at night, but
usually is clear of clouds. August and September are also cool and can have
completely clear days, but usually a dripping cloud belt girdles the
mountain above the forest and moorland. The summit can be totally clear and
the successful climber looks down on a vast sea of clouds with distant
mountain peaks poking through like islands.
The shorter rainy period of October to December often has thunderstorms that
pass over the mountain, dropping rain as they go. Typically the clouds
disappear in the evening, leaving nights and mornings clear with excellent
visibility. January and February are usually dry, warm and clear with brief
rain showers which make for good climbing conditions.
Kilimanjaro towers above the Great Rift Valley, possible birthplace of
humankind and the site of the Leakey's research in the Oldupai Gorge. This
gives Kilimanjaro an awesome mystique. One can imagine the mountain towering
above our ancestors, making an early, continual impression on the species.
When you walk the mountain, you'll probably encounter some odd, purposeful
arrangements of stone. Your guides will claim to not know what they mean.
Perhaps they don't.
Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, now attracts many
thousands of walkers each year. On the 1st of January 2000 over 1000 people
reached the summit to see the sun rise over a new Millennium.
About Kilimanjaro
National Park
Size: 1668 sq km 641 sq miles).
Location: Northern Tanzania, near the town of Moshi.
Getting there
128 km (80 miles) from Arusha.
About one hour’s drive from Kilimanjaro airport.
NOTE:
Climb slowly to increase your acclimatization time and maximize your
chances of reaching the summit.
To avoid altitude sickness, allow a minimum of five nights, preferably
even more for the climb. Take your time and enjoy the beauty of the
mountain.
