Importance of acclimatization before Kilimanjaro hike

Importance of Acclimatization Before Your Kilimanjaro Hike
Mount Kilimanjaro has been considered the easiest to climb among the seven summits, given that both experienced and non-experienced hikers, young and old, and fit and unfit people have successfully hiked to the summit of the mountain. However, the major challenge that everyone faces and is likely to face while climbing the mountain is altitude sickness. Acclimatization helps the body to adapt to new changes in oxygen levels, leading to a successful summit rate.
Acclimatization before hiking Mount Kilimanjaro is important and the best way to avoid altitude sickness, which occurs when the body fails to adjust to new oxygen levels and air pressure at higher altitudes.
It’s very important to acclimatize by climbing to higher altitudes before attempting Mount Kilimanjaro to make the body adapt to producing more red blood cells, which carry oxygen to your muscles and brain. This makes the body get used to producing red blood cells.
Pre-acclimatization before hiking Kilimanjaro is very beneficial for a successful summit rate to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Most travelers who acclimatize before attempting the summit have successfully managed to reach Uhuru peak.
Acclimatization is also important before hiking Mount Kilimanjaro because humans are not made to live at higher altitudes, so the higher you climb, the harder it gets for the body. Acclimatization before the hike will introduce your body to what it feels like to be at a higher altitude.
The best way to acclimatize while on the mountain is by choosing a good route that offers good acclimatization. Choosing a longer route for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro will give the body enough time to adjust to new oxygen levels, especially if you’re climbing high and sleeping low. When you ascend too quickly, the body will fail to adjust, resulting in altitude sickness, which in its severe forms can cause death or prevent a successful summit.
There are seven well-established routes for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro: Lemosho route, Machame route, Marangu route, Umbwe route, Kilema route, Rongai route, and Shira route. Some of these routes have a better advantage over others in terms of acclimatization, so you need to choose wisely before hiking the mountain. Routes offering good acclimatization include Lemosho route, the Northern circuit route, and Rongai route.
Remember to always go slow while hiking, no matter how fast your group is moving. Move at your own pace, and you will often come across the phrase “pole pole,” which means “slowly slowly” and is commonly used by Kilimanjaro hikers.
Always listen to your guide and do as they say; they are well-trained in issues concerning altitude sickness and know when it’s time to stop treating symptoms and descend when the signs and symptoms get worse. Failure to descend when told to can lead to life-threatening conditions.
There are many ways to acclimatize before hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, such as staying at higher altitudes, using altitude training systems, and physically training by hiking at higher altitudes like Mount Meru.