Trekkers heading for Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise money for UK charities may be putting their lives at risk from altitude sickness. That’s the conclusion of a new report being presented at the Symposium of Climbing and Mountain Medicine, organised by the Medical Committee of the UIAA, the sport’s world governing body, held today (30th September) at the National Mountain Centre Plas y Brenin in Snowdonia.
Dozens of UK charities inspire hundreds of trekkers to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds each year through their ascents, but a new study by outdoor writer Ed Douglas reveals that only one in 20 charity treks studied came close to meeting standard medical advice on trekking at high altitude.
At 5895 metres - 19,341 feet - Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. Doctors specialising in high-altitude medicine recommend that trekkers gain no more than 300-500 metres a day to stay safe. Following these guidelines, trekkers should ideally spend 7 - 9 nights above 2500 metres to safely reach the summit of Kilimanjaro.
Of 20 charity treks studied, 15, or 75%, planned for just four nights above 2500m, condemning trekkers to an almost guaranteed period of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and the danger of more serious conditions like High-Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE) and High-Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACE), both of which are fatal if not treated promptly. More than half of fatalities on Kilimanjaro are caused by altitude sickness. Anyone going above 4000m should be fully aware of the dangers of lack of oxygen.
For many trekkers, Kilimanjaro is their first experience of high altitude, and most will have little idea of how their bodies will react. "Realistic advice about the problems and risks of high altitude was either absent or buried in almost all cases," said Ed Douglas. "Trekkers should understand that climbing Kilimanjaro is safer and a lot more fun if they take their time. They also have a much higher chance of reaching the summit. I wouldn’t want to have to reach the summit with fewer than six or seven nights’ acclimatisation."
Dr David Hillebrandt, Honorary Medical Advisor to the British Mountaineering Council (BMC), agrees: "We’re not saying that people shouldn’t raise money in this way. Far from it. We just want trekkers to understand that there are risks associated with being at high altitude and they would be well advised to take a bit longer over their trip. That not only makes it more enjoyable, but could ensure that their ‘trip of a lifetime’ does not become exactly that."
The Tanzanian government charges a fee of more than $100 per day for each trekker that sets foot on Kilimanjaro, earning Tanzania millions of dollars each year. But this daily peak fee means trekkers are encouraged to climb Kilimanjaro quickly to cut costs. Doctors recommend those unwilling to pay more for acclimatisation spend time on the nearby and cheaper Mount Meru or Mount Kenya to let their bodies adjust naturally to high altitude.
Neurologist and BMC President Dr Charles Clarke said: "With the rise in popularity of adventure travel, more and more people are trekking at high altitude. But they often underestimate the dangers of rapid ascent. It’s great that people are prepared to experience adventure, but preparation is essential. You won’t catch me going up Kilimanjaro in less than a week. I have been to high altitude many times. The object is to enjoy oneself and feel well doing so. And of course, not to take risks unnecessarily. I have seen several people trying to speed-climb Kilimanjaro over a long weekend with disastrous results."
Altitude guidance:
• Trekkers new to high altitude should try to avoid sleeping more than 300-500m above their previous night’s camp
• Of trekkers who go straight to 3,500 metres, 50% suffer Acute Mountain Sickness. 2% have severe symptoms.
• Being fit will not protect you from AMS
• Serious conditions like HAPE and HACE are unusual, and can usually (but not always) be avoided through proper acclimatisation.
UIAA Medical Commission advice
For further information about altitude and the body, visit the Medical Advice section
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