Mawenzi Peak
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Tanzania and the entire African continent, attracting thousands of tourists annually. The mountain has three distinct peaks: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira.
Mawenzi is the least climbed and second-highest peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, standing at 5149 meters above sea level. Mawenzi is not preferred by many climbers due to its loose rocks, steep slopes, ice, melting snow, high inclines, and the technical skills required for mountain climbing. Rock scrambling is prohibited on Mawenzi, and only climbers with experience are allowed to attempt it.
Climbing Mawenzi is risky and very dangerous. Mountaineers intending to climb it must comply with park rules and regulations set by the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities. Fatalities have been recorded on Mawenzi in the past.
The highest point on Mawenzi is called Hans Meyer, named after a German geologist who was the first European to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. The first people to reach the highest point of Mawenzi were F. Klute and E. Oehler in 1912.
Mawenzi was formed during an eruption within the Shira caldera after it became extinct.
The best time for climbing Mawenzi is during the drier months of June to August and December to February when the trails are dry, and the weather is favorable. Climbing is allowed between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm; night climbs are prohibited.
The series of peaks on Mawenzi includes Hans Meyer Peak at 5,149 meters, Nordeke Peak at 5,136 meters, Purtscheller Peak at 5,120 meters, Borchers Peak at 5,115 meters, Klute Peak at 5,096 meters, Latham Peak at 5,087 meters, and Londt South Peak at 4,945 meters. There are also several ridges, gullies, dyke swarms, deep gorges, crags, pinnacles, and faces on Mawenzi.
There are seven hiking routes for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and climbers aiming to summit Mawenzi can use only 2 routes: the Marangu and Rongai routes.
When planning to hike Mawenzi Peak, you should book with authorized tour operators holding valid mountain TTLB licenses, employing technical climbing guides, and having a good business record on Kilimanjaro. Only groups of 2 climbers are allowed to attempt Mawenzi at a time, and all climbers must be aged 18 years and above.
The Kilimanjaro National Park authority also requires tour operators to submit application letters with attached technical climbing CVs of clients intending to climb Mawenzi. Efficient and reliable communication systems must be provided by the tour operator in case of emergencies and rescue plans. A first aid kit must also be available during the climb.
Climbers heading to Mawenzi are required to bring the following mountaineering gear: crampons, ice axes, long and medium-length slings, rappel devices, carabiners, helmets, waterproof climbing boots, alpine harnesses, 60m 8.5mm ropes, and locking carabiners.
All climbers on Mawenzi must fill in indemnity forms provided at the park before the climb. Climbing Mawenzi is very dangerous, and doing so is at your own risk.
Updated at: December 10, 2023 01:35 pm.Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
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