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Deadly Western Breach

A recent blog from a Mountain Maddness climber talks about the difficulty of ascending via the Western Breach and the pitfalls of loose rock. We hear a lot about the dangers of altitude sickness, but one of the biggest problems on the Western Breach Route can be rock fall. I had a group of three climbers ascend it a few years back. They woke in the middle of the night to what sounded like thunder rolling down the mountain. They quickly realized it was boulders crashing toward them. One litterly bounced over their tent, missing them by a few meager feet.

A rock slide in 2006 killed three American climbers and injured several others. After this incident the route was closed for several months until the National Park Service opened a new route less prone to rock fall. Martha's report post last week leads me to believe there is still cause for concern.

The Western Breach Route has long been a goal of mine. The option to spend a night in the crater and get up close and personal with the glaciers is VERY tempting. But it is, by far, the most dangerous route on the mountain. Something to think about before booking!

Tanzania UNESCO World Heritage Sites

UNESCO just finished their annual meeting and added 13 new sites to their list of 890. "The World Heritage List includes 890 properties forming part of the cultural and natural heritage which the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value."

I just love the way that sounds. If you're having trouble deciding where to go on your next vacation this list is a great place to start. While none of the new sites are in Tanzania, I just had to give a "shout out" to this organization. I couldn't help but go back and remind myself which sites were already on the list:

• Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara
• Serengeti National Park
• Selous Game Reserve
• Kilimanjaro National Park
• Stone Town of Zanzibar
• Kondoa Rock-Art Sites

Kilwa Kisiwani, Stone Town and the Kondoa Rock-Art sites are all cultural sites while the rest are natural. Aside from global recognition UNESCO has also donated thousands of dollars to protect Kilimanjaro and other precious natural resources of Tanzania.

Treasures in Kilimanjaro

I tripped across this recent account of a 1978 Kilimanjaro climb. It's fantastic to read what it was like for Bob McKerrow to ascent the mountain before it really became the adventure tourist destination it is now. But the best part is the folklore he uncovered in Ethopia. I've heard some interesting stories before, but never a link between King Solomon and Kilimanjaro.

I don't want to give away too many details because Bob also has some great pictures and I'd hate for you to miss them. Take a look and let me know what you think.

Outfitters: saving too many bucks

The final tier of outfitters in our tour of Kilimanjaro climbs are the low-end providers. The only time you're likely to run into one of these companies is if you're already local and just go with anyone you can find in Moshi or Arusha Tanzania when you get there.

Again, the biggest difference with this level of outfitter is security and comfort. With the lower-end outfitters you will have fewer porters and support staff and therefore less food and comfort gear. Where this really becomes a problem is with the porters themselves. Some outfitters don't provide any food on the climb for porters. Porters eat whatever you don't or go begging from other parties. Aside from the ethical issues, this is just plane dangerous. Now the people meant to support and protect you are already weak and under prepared themselves. If the weather turns bad porters might not have warm shelter.

I really don't recommend bargain hunting too much when planning to climb 19,340 feet above sea level where you'll find about half the oxygen typically needed to survive. Even if you're already local, take the time to research a few outfitters with good reputations or consult a respected travel guide that lists some reputable outfitters.