MOUNTAINEERING INFORMATION ARTICLES

Kilimanjaro - Climbing History

Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the Seven Summits and is located in the African continent. This section discusses its Climbing History, including background information on how it was formed and the legends that surround it.

Mount Kilimanjaro lies on the border of Tanzania and Kenya, just south of the Equator. To the west lies the Great African Rift Valley, created by tremendous tectonic forces which also gave birth to a string of other volcanoes. One of these, Mount Kenya, was originally much higher than Kilimanjaro. The three summits of Mount Kilimanjaro, Shira, Kibo and Mawenzi are all of very recent origin. Shira and Mawenzi both have suffered considerable erosion and only jagged peaks remain. Kibo, the central, youngest, and highest peak has survived as an almost perfect cone.

Although East Africa and nearby Olduvai Gorge is thought to be the cradle of mankind, it is unlikely that early man would have been attracted to the steep and cold slopes of Kilimanjaro at a time when it was probably very active and dangerous. A Wachagga legend talks of Mawenzi receiving fire for its pipe from his younger brother Kibo. The Wachagga who lives on the fertile volcanic soils around the base of the mountain probably only came to the area about 300 years ago, thus, this legend suggests very recent activity. Another legend talks of demons and evil spirits living on the mountain and guarding immense treasures. Stories are told of a king who decided to go to the top, few of his party survived and those who did had damaged arms and legs.

The records of human endeavor on Kilimanjaro began with western missionaries whose travels took them to the mountain in the 19th century. There is no evidence yet that native Africans ventured on to its slopes, or reached the summit, before Kilimanjaro first appeared on the horizon before western eyes - but it may well have been Climbed by these early residents of the region. No doubt that the great volcano, with its strange white cap, would have been enmeshed with the reigning superstitions and folklore.

In 1887, missionary Charles became the first person to reach snow on Kilimanjaro when he Climbed to the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi. The first ascent of Uhuru Peak was made in 1889 by the German geographer Hans Meyer with his Swiss guide, Ludwig Purtscheller. The expedition consisted of many porters, guides, and advisers. It took the intrepid Meyer almost 6 weeks to reach the summit, 6 times as long as it takes the average Climber today. At the centenary of this Climb in 1989, one of their Tanzanian guides was still enjoying life at an age of 118 years!

Since then, Kilimanjaro has been Climbed by countless Mountaineers, especially those who are determined to climb all of the Seven Summits, which includes Mount Everest and Agoncagua. You can be a part of them by booking a trip to Kilimanjaro now! You can easily do that by going to our Mountaineering Travel Site and book with our Travel Partners!

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