h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A Guide Entry for masochists:

http://www.h2g2.com/A445826

It still needs a bit of work.
Any comments gratefully received!

very, very good entry. You obviously know what you're talking about. Mind the few typo's... e.g. "The Marangu trail (aslo known as the `cocc cola` route) is-". Other than that, great. I'll get back to you if I have any flashes of inspiration after more in-depth reading...

Thanks, Mr T.

I think I've fixed most of the typos now.

MDS

Very good entry. A good read and very accurate from what I've heard. You say no one can go independently, without guides. Did you hear of any poor guides? I've heard stories of people finding themselves with guides who had never climbed the mountain themselves. But this might have been Meru not Kilimanjaro. If this can happen it might be worth mentioning.

One typo; 1st para under Day one, "You can rent climbing stick here" ? sticks?.
Wz.

My understanding was that all guides had to be officially accredited. But I don't know if any proof of ability is required. Most guides are employed by tour companies rather than the park authorities, so there is probably the potential for abuse. The company I went with provided two guides - one in charge, who had climbed the mountain thirty times before, and another who was less experienced. I would imagine most guides learn the ropes like that.

MDS

This post has been removed.

Thanks for the input. You`re right: I really should have a couple of lines in there saying when it`s best to go. It wouldn`t be advisable to turn up in the middle of the dry season. You would be burnt to crisp - if you didn`t melt inside your thermals first!

MDS

Hi MDS, you'e got a great entry here of your account of climbing Kilimanjaro. You'll be glad to know that your entry has been approved for inclusion in the Official edited Guide at some point in the future. Good luck and keep writing.

sundiver

Hi MDS, you've got a great entry here of your account of climbing Kilimanjaro. You'll be glad to know that your entry has been approved for inclusion in the Official edited Guide at some point in the future. Good luck and keep writing.

sundiver

Editorial Note: This thread has been moved out of the Peer Review forum because this entry has now been recommended for the Edited Guide.

Thanks, Sundiver. I`ll buy you a drink sometime!

MDS

Excellent article. Unfortunately Kilimanjaro shrunk after a GPS measurement of it in 1999 - it was found to be only 5891.77 meters high. I'm not going to let those 3 meters detract from the sense of achievment I felt after I climbed it though

Hopefully the revised height will force the authorities to invest in a new sign-post. The old one was falling to bits when I was up there.



MDS

I was too dazed to really notice! I pity the poor guy who would have to carry a new sign up there.