Sunday, July 3, 2016

Mountaineering: How To Go About Training For Kilimanjaro

By Charles Snyder


If you like exploring the world for adventure, chances are mountain climbing is one of your favorite pastimes. With the world full of hiking destinations, Tanzania has made a name for itself as one of the countries loved by hikers. Nature lovers know the country specifically for the wild animals in its parks and one world renowned mountain. Here are some of the vital things you should do when training for Kilimanjaro.

As you prepare to go mountain climbing, ensure you pack the required equipment. Your checklist should include water resistant pants and jackets, hiking boots, a first aid kit and insulated shirts. Just ensure every clothing item you will be wearing is tailored to protect you against very harsh weather.

Also ensure your first aid pack consists of medication that can help alleviate high altitude complications such as shortness of breath. In this case, it is always important to consult a medical practitioner beforehand. However, all these things should be done once you are confident enough in your ability to scale the mountain. This sort of confidence can only be attained once you are through with intensive training.

Experts are of the view that those aspiring to climb should always begin their conditioning exercises at least two months in advance. The mountain in question is not a small one. As a matter of fact, it is the tallest one in Africa. Your exercises should be geared towards enhancing your stamina. Ensure you train your legs to withstand walking over long distances.

You should be fully capable of walking long distances. With luggage weighing several pounds on your back, this sort of hiking requires that you get used to the idea of walking and carrying luggage at the same time. Among the exercises you should give some serious consideration are swimming, bike riding, running and hiking. Such exercises are guaranteed to build your muscle strength and stamina.

The terrain and weather will definitely change as you climb up, pushing your body to its limit in the process. If you train well, your body should metabolize optimally. You may experience some shortness of breath at higher levels due to reduced oxygen levels. To counter this effect, exercise gear manufacturers produce high altitude exercise equipment these days. The systems actually simulate mountainous environments, thereby helping the person exercising acclimatize easily. If your trip is fast approaching, find some good equipment and begin your exercise sessions.

Mountaineering is not meant for everyone. To be successful at it, you ought to be medically fit. This means that vital factors in the body such as your heart rate and blood pressure ought to be in the normal range. When you get to the climbing site, you will be required to undertake a medical checkup for your own safety.

You may be cautioned against proceeding if you have an abnormal heart rate. This is a factor that you can easily determine as you exercise every day. Ensure you right down your heart rate while at the peak of your exercises every day in order to establish a reliable baseline.




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