Challenge # 4: Mount Kilimanjaro December 1st-31st, 2023
About:
Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania and is the highest mountain in Africa. At 19,341 ft, it is also the highest free standing mountain in the world. Formed by tectonic plates, it is essentially a volcano, so the summit is not an actual “peak”. The highest point is actually a crater rim around the center of the volcano. Not only do expeditioners enjoy climbing this massive volcano, but they can also take a rest inside the crater, camping on it’s floor among glaciers. Don’t worry, Mount Kilimanjaro has not had a major eruption in 360,000 years. It features four major climates and five major ecological zones around the mountain at all times, year-round; including bushland, rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and arctic zones.
Historical Background:
The Chagga tribe were the earliest inhabitants of Mount Kilimanjaro. They refer to the mountain as “White Mountain” or “Shining Mountain”. Western explorers did not happen upon the area until the 1800s, but the Chagga tribes welcomed them warmly. Each year at least 30,000 people attempt to climb Kilimanjaro.