Podcast #9 - A Kilimanjaro Podcast with Natpacker

http://www.emboldenadventures.com/kilimanjaro-podcast-natpacker/ This Kilimanjaro podcast is part of the travel series on Mount Kilimanjaro. In 2017, I will make my way to Tanzania in Africa to climb the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. As I prepare for this feat, I had the chance to chat with Natalie Took of the travel blog Natpacker.com. On her site, Nat writes about the joys of backpacking around the world in an affordable way. Nat climbed Mt Kilimanjaro in 2015 and chronicled her experience. Recently, Nat spent some time talking to me on this Kilimanjaro podcast about all things Kilimanjaro. In this episode, hear about: Who is Nat of Natpacker.com What to pack for the long adventure When to hike the summit Where to store your electronics including cameras Why the guides and porters are amazing How much to tip at the end of the adventure …and more! An Embolden Adventure up Kilimanjaro So what business does this New York City gal have climbing one of the tallest mountains in the world, Kilimanjaro? I don’t know either, but I am going to give it a shot this year. Join me in my journey as I ready myself to summit this mountain along with friends from around the world. Check out the full Kilimanjaro experience here. Mt Kilimanjaro, an old volcano, is the fourth most prominent peak in the world. Known as “Africa’s Rooftop”, it is the tallest point in all of the continent, standing at 19,341 feet. This mountain climb is not like that of Mt Everest, only reserved for advanced mountaineers with appropriate climbing equipment. Basically, it is a long, gradual walk up a very tall mountain. However, climbing Mt Kilimanjaro is still a difficult feat. High elevation can cause altitude sickness for even the best of hikers. Also, the occasional high winds and the cold temperatures can make the hike uncomfortable. While fatalities are rare – just a 0.01% chance – it is worth noting the dangers of falling rocks, slipping, and advanced altitude sickness. Climbing to the top is both mentally and physically challenging. Hikers can expect to walk between 3 and 8 hours a day for up to 9 days in total. On the day of summiting, hikers can walk a total of 16 hours, starting in the middle of the night in temperatures as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 degrees Celsius). To be successful in reaching the top, here are some things to keep in mind: Walk slowly Keep warm by dressing in appropriate clothing and in layers Stay hydrated Rest and travel with experienced guides and porters Meet Nat! As I am in the midst of readying myself to embark on this epic hike, I came across Natpacker.com. Natalie Took is a backpacking world traveler and the creator of Natpacker. She hiked Kilimanjaro in 2015 and then published a fairly comprehensive chronicle of her journey. I found Nat’s tips on how to prepare very helpful and enjoyed reading her journey. So I invited her to have a chat on the Kilimanjaro podcast! Nat was driven to hike Kilimanjaro, a bucket list experience for her. She and her now-husband Dave were about to celebrate their 10-year anniversary, so they wanted to do something spectacular for the occasion. Well, Kilimanjaro it was. And there on the mountain, after 4 long days of hiking and before reaching the summit, Dave proposed to Nat on their anniversary. Although, because of the altitude, the ring didn’t fit! I asked Nat why Kilimanjaro, and she said it was for the accomplishment and the spectacular views along the way. “You feel such sense of achievement,” said Nat. As for the views, they are 360-degrees and ever changing. From rainforests to cactus, from rocky boulders to glaciers, the transition of the earth along the path is “truly amazing”. Song intro: Bibi Tanga & The Selenites - Be Africa (Populette remix) Read more here: http://www.emboldenadventures.com/kilimanjaro-podcast-natpacker/#.WOz7b1MrKCQ