any serious climbers?

[varova87]

I'm in the process of planning a Kili climb next summer, just wanted to see if anyone on here by chance had ever done anything of the sort.

From what I've learned thus far, I'll be needing plenty of cold hiking gear. I plan to start training in Jan.

 

[lynchee]

Hike, bike, run, eat right. Make sure to carry some decent weight when training. Take lots of pics. If you go fast, plan on headaches.

 

[Dan Erickson]

Been wanting to do it for years now.

Hope to do it before I die...

Doesn't seem like much of a "climb" though...

 

[kellymoe]

I do mainly rock climbing and have done Whitney (14,500ft) 10 or 12 times. The last few times I did it I seemed to get headaches more severe than before. I think I'm going to ask my doctor for an Rx for Diamox. You may consider doing the same. Viagra is said to help with altitude sickness but there is one side effect that could be distracting
One thing I have found is that altitude sickness can hit anyone whether they are in amazing shape or not. Hedge your bet with Diamox.

 

[mikeyb]

dont forget to train for the downhill part of the trip. often those muscles are not as well trained and can give out on you. when you are already a little tired and hauling a loaded pack, it is easy to trip and hurt yourself.

personally, if this is the first long, heavy pack trip you have done, i would start training now. why wait.

 

[Mongo]

Denali West Buttress '82, Denali West Rib "98, Aconcagua Vacus Valley '99...mostly walk ups, not a lot of technical climbing. That was when I single...

Training, plan a year if your not in the gym 3 times week right now. Nothing but hauling actual weight, in a expedition pack, will get you ready so you can enjoy the climb, not suffer thru it because your not ready. Going to a gym isn't going to cut it. Stairs are great, find a highschool with bleachers and go to town. Get out to woods and carry a heavy pack, use water in 2 liter bottles, so you can adjust when you start to tired...plan 85 pounds in a pack, sometimes more, sometimes less...

 

[varova87]

All great advice, I appreciate all of it!

Diamox is on my list for sure. I hike all the time, but the highest in altitude I've ever been is Mt Rogers in VA, which is a pitiful 5700ft.

As far as me personally up until this point, I'm a decent hiker in my view, but only little hikes. I grew up in the mountains camping and backpacking, so I would say I average about 10 overnight hikes a year, 9 of which are usually on the AT. Many more day trips to add to that, the longest I've ever gone was about 13 miles in one day.

Training: Havent been drinking sodas for 2 months now, and plan to continue that for, well, years hopefully...
Beginning in Jan im going to shoot for one hike a week, atleast 4 hours in length. Plenty of trails around here to go on. Will be carrying about 30 lbs of gear each time, however the actual amount I'll be carrying on Kili will be much less. The porters carry pretty much everything for you these days, other than what you want to keep on you.
Gym 3 times a week doing a balanced workout of upper and lower body. Eating as healthy as I can as a college student, plan to keep that up as long as possible. Doing stairs in our basketball arena about 2-3 times a week as well.

The hike itself isn't terrible, from what I've read (almost every website there is, by now I would bet). Its the altitude and the cold I'm worried about. Kellymoe said it...and I can't think of any way to "train" to try and avoid AMS.

 

[varova87]

I do mainly rock climbing and have done Whitney (14,500ft) 10 or 12 times.

I would actually like to do this once in prep for Kili. More details? Guide? Best time of year to go?

 

[kellymoe]

If you just hike the trail Whitney is a pretty easy hike technically speaking. There are much harder routes but if your goal is to see how your body act at altitude then I would suggest the Main Mount Whitney Trail. It is about 20 miles round trip. No guide needed but you will need a permit. The easiest time of year to get a permit would be the Fall and that time of year would also match the temp you will find on Kili. Highs in the day in the 40's and lows in the single digits to teens.

 

[varova87]

If you just hike the trail Whitney is a pretty easy hike technically speaking. There are much harder routes but if your goal is to see how your body act at altitude then I would suggest the Main Mount Whitney Trail. It is about 20 miles round trip. No guide needed but you will need a permit. The easiest time of year to get a permit would be the Fall and that time of year would also match the temp you will find on Kili. Highs in the day in the 40's and lows in the single digits to teens.

hmm..i might have to see if I can get out there. Only problem is, it will be Feb before I can get there. Guess I'll have to make do then.

As far as cold/arctic temp hiking goes, I'm new. Layers is obviously the way to do it, but the best jacket I have would be a columbia.

Reccomendations on gear are now needed:bigok:

Already have a sleeping bag (Mtn Hardware, Marmot, and a Sierra Designs all with different ratings, tucked away in the closet)

Pack is covered, stove, etc etc. All I need are clothes!

 

[kellymoe]

Though I sometimes disagree with Patagonias corporate philosophy I must say that their cloths are pretty good. I have had a pair of their Guide Pants for 15+ years and they are still going strong. I also have a Patagonia synthetic down jacket that is my climbing, hanging out in camp, sleep in when really cold, work on the truck do everything jacket that goes with me everywhere. Cant beat the warmth unless you are talking real down. People will tell you one brand is better than the other but it is mostly posturing for their favorite brand. Mt. Hardwear, Pataguci, Montbell, Sierra Design, North Face will all keep you warm, especially on Kili. If you were climbing some hardcore Alaskan Alpine route in full on mixed conditions I would get much more specific but the African porters on kili do the route in sweats and winbreakers and do just fine. Thats an extreme example of course

 

[chris snell]

I've climbed some 14ers. Climbed Pyramid Peak in Colorado and Wheeler Peak in Nevada this summer. Also attempted Capitol Peak but was turned around by bad weather.

My advice is to focus on long endurance climbs. Rack up as many vertical feet as you can. Learn how to eat. Silly as it sounds, proper nutrition on the trail is key to your success. Learn what food packs well and gives you lots of energy. Make it a habit to drink lots of water.

Equipment is pretty straightforward. Stick to synthetic fabrics. Look for products that maximize warmth and minimize weight. For example, I love the Arc'teryx Delta AR pullover top. In my opinion, Arc'teryx makes the finest clothing and backpacks in the industry, but their gear is not cheap Marmot makes the best gloves. I prefer Montbell sleeping bags. For tents, MSR Hubba Hubba for rainy camping or Black Diamond Lighthouse for the dry season or ultralight camping. For boots, get something w/ Gore-Tex XCR. Get yourself a good expedition-weight base layer (top + bottom).

Like Kevin says, the porters will do it in all sorts of marginal gear but why subject yourself to the discomfort?

Troll SteepandCheap.com for some sweet deals. (shameless plug)

 

[chris snell]

Ok, here is what I would buy...

Jacket: Arc'teryx Beta AR

Insulating layer (top): Arc'teryx Delta AR pull-over

Base layer (top): Patagonia Capilene 1 Crew (lightweight)

Insulating layer (bottoms): Patagonia Capilene 4

Outer layer pants: Arc'teryx Beta AR pants

Underwear: Ex Officio antibacterial

 

[lynchee]

I would also suggest that you get out and spend some time in the woods. You have to be prepared to be hiking for 10 hrs. or more at a time. If you decide to get into more mountaineering, you will find that there is a lot of just putting your head down and placing one foot infront of the other. I am just starting to plan a trip to Peru in the late spring/summer of 08 and I can't wait.............good luck

 

[varova87]

I would also suggest that you get out and spend some time in the woods.

I average about 10 overnight hikes a year/Beginning in Jan im going to shoot for one hike a week, atleast 4 hours in length

I plan on doing so. A lot of my weekly trips starting in Jan will be overnight, and longer. Just going for a minimum of 4 hours.

 

[brianhoberg]

Denali West Buttress '82, Denali West Rib "98, Aconcagua Vacus Valley '99...mostly walk ups, not a lot of technical climbing. That was when I single...

Training, plan a year if your not in the gym 3 times week right now. Nothing but hauling actual weight, in a expedition pack, will get you ready so you can enjoy the climb, not suffer thru it because your not ready. Going to a gym isn't going to cut it. Stairs are great, find a highschool with bleachers and go to town. Get out to woods and carry a heavy pack, use water in 2 liter bottles, so you can adjust when you start to tired...plan 85 pounds in a pack, sometimes more, sometimes less...

Actually, most of the larger hotels and office buildings have flights of stairs that you canuse if you ask them. I know here in San Antonio I did that a couple of times before I went backpacking through colorado.

 

[itdnwiwbp]

Josh, I don't know what the temps are like at all on Kili but if all you're expecting is highs in the 40s and lows in the single digits you can get that on Mt Rogers. January and February used to be my favorite time to go out for a long weekend down there. Layers are important but if you're hiking hard you'll end up shedding most of them at those temps. Good luck and say hi to Margaret for me if you happen to run into her.

 

[varova87]

Josh, I don't know what the temps are like at all on Kili but if all you're expecting is highs in the 40s and lows in the single digits you can get that on Mt Rogers. January and February used to be my favorite time to go out for a long weekend down there. Layers are important but if you're hiking hard you'll end up shedding most of them at those temps. Good luck and say hi to Margaret for me if you happen to run into her.

Mt Rogers is what I'm most familiar with. Cant get enough of that mountain, the horses are always a fav, and Rhododenderon Gap is beautiful.

I'll be going to the top of it several times during those months. Great place to hike:applause:

 

[chris snell]

plan 85 pounds in a pack, sometimes more, sometimes less...

Why on earth would you haul 85 pounds of crap up a mountain for a 2-3 day walk-up climb?

He just needs tent, sleeping bag, extra clothing, water, food, and maybe harness+axe+crampons if there is ice. You could do that under 40 pounds, easy.

 

[varova87]

85lb pack on Kili DEFINATELY wont be necessary, so I dont plan on training with so much weight either. Porters carry most of your stuff up Kili for you. You end up carrying a day pack worth of stuff, I plan on taking about a 2900 cu in pack just so I can have a few spares with me incase.

I dont think I've ever managed to squeeze 85 lbs of gear in my 4500 cu in...