Preparing to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro

By Art Samberg

Introduction

Investment executive and hedge fund expert Art Samberg owns Hawkes Financial, LLC. An active philanthropist, Art J. Samberg is known for his generous donation to Columbia Business School that resulted in the establishment of the Arthur J. Samberg Institute for Teaching Excellence. Arthur Samberg’s achievements outside of finance include successfully reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro on a trip to Tanzania in 2000.

Mt. Kilimanjaro

Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is internationally acclaimed as a significant athletic challenge. Located in Tanzania, Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro is the world’s tallest freestanding mountain accessible to hikers, with a peak of 5,895 meters high, or 19,336 feet. Successfully reaching the summit, known as Uhuru Peak, involves traveling through five climactic zones and passing through high altitudes. The hike is only available to climbers accompanied by a tour guide along one of six established climbing routes.

Conclusion

The most popular routes take approximately six to seven days to complete, and complications that climbers commonly experience include extremes of weather and altitude sickness. Many climbers complete the walk between January and March or September and October each year, due to favorable weather conditions. When considering the climb, hikers should book as far in advance as possible and consider training to build stamina and fitness. Useful forms of training include walking, walking at high altitudes, and walking with a pack. It is generally recommended that participants complete a medical exam and purchase travel and medical insurance before departing for Tanzania.