Like most mountains there are several ways up Mt. Kilimanjaro. Because it’s the largest free-standing mountain in the world, it has a really substantial footprint—the diameter at it’s widest point is almost 25 miles (though it isn’t a perfect circle). Thus, there are more than just a couple of approaches and routes to the top.
Naturally, as you get to the top and the terrain gets much steeper, some routes are more challenging than others. In total there are seven realizable routes from the bottom to the top, all of them with their unique properties. Mt. Kilimanjaro is so large that it creates its own weather and the slopes are littered with a myriad of microclimates. Some routes take as little as five days to summit while others take as many as nine days. While it is possible to do them in four, it is not recommended because of the tremendous swings in elevation—which increases the chances of altitude sickness. The only relief for this malady is to descend to a more comfortable level.
For maximum acclimation and success of summiting, we will be taking the Lemosho route. It begins at the extreme western extent of the mountain and traverses the southern slope before heading north toward the rim. Then to save time we descend to the south through the Mweka gate.
In total there will be opportunities to celebrate seven Mass on the mountain—all for our Lord and Savior. God be praised.
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