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July 26, 2012

Climb Kilimanjaro with Rachel! Post 3: Training on the Trail

I went for a training hike on the Frankenstein Cliff/Arethusa Falls loop trail in the White Mountains near Crawford Notch last weekend. I really love getting away to the Whites; the terrain challenges my legs for a great workout, and getting out of the city gives me the opportunity to visualize and mentally prepare myself for Kilimanjaro!

Since I’m a naturally competitive person, I have to constantly remind myself to slow down; when I finally do, I am able to enjoy the hike, or workout, so much more. Slowing down also allows me to focus on proper technique and efficiency… something that will have a big payout when I’m closing in on Kilimanjaro’s summit!

During my hike last weekend, I practiced the rest step, a technique hikers use to conserve energy. Watch the video below to learn how this technique is especially effective on long hikes requiring muscle endurance, such as my upcoming 9-day Western Approach Route trek.

This week I’m back in the gym and increasing the intensity of my workouts in anticipation of tapering, or resting, for the week leading up to my departure…it’s approaching quickly! In other preparation news, my boots are almost completely broken in, though I’ve noticed a few chafed spots on my feet, so I tried Moleskin on these areas and it worked great during last weekend’s hike! I plan using Moleskin throughout my trek to proactively prevent the formation of blisters.

Less than 20 days until I leave and I’m slowly starting to pack my duffle; more on that in my next post…
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July 10, 2012

Climb Kilimanjaro with Rachel! Post 2: Training in the Gym

I thought I was going to have to spend hours cranking out several miles on the treadmill in order to train for my upcoming Kilimanjaro trek, which was not a thrilling prospect for me, to say the least! But after working with Fit For Trips on a customized training program, I learned there is more to training for Kilimanjaro than I originally thought. My program incorporates cardio, strength and endurance training via a variety of exercises. I really like having a specific workout plan each time I go to the gym; it has been keeping me focused and makes me very confident I’ll be properly prepared for Kilimanjaro’s Western Approach in August.

What about the dreaded treadmill, you ask? Well, it is still a part of my workout regimen – it’s a necessary evil, I guess! However I’ve learned that running on the treadmill isn’t the most efficient way to train for Kilimanjaro. Believe it or not, to train for Kili, you need to practice walking! Slowing the treadmill down to a walking pace (and at a steep grade) was counter-intuitive to me at first but now I can see that it’s the closest thing to being on the trail. I’ve recently increased the intensity of my treadmill workouts by wearing a weighted backpack…yes, I’ve received a bunch of curious looks from others at my gym as I’m stomping up the treadmill with a bag of weights on my back but the benefits far outweigh the initial awkwardness.

My stair workouts have been great too. Instead of doing this on a Stairmaster, I prefer 8-10 minute sets on a single flight of stairs because it not only forces me to focus and puts me into the zone but it also gives me the opportunity to train for the descent… don’t forget, you have to walk down several thousand feet from the summit! I hear the descent can be tough on your knees, so I’m definitely taking the time to strengthen the muscles to support my joints. Upgrading to a larger flight of stairs is on my to-do list!

I have terrible balance so one of the most challenging exercises for me is the sideward bound-pause. When I try to do it, it is more like “sideward bound-hop-wobble-hop.” Watch how it is done in the Fit For Trips clip below; it’s not easy!

As a swimmer, I’ve never had to work the smaller, stabilizing muscles in my hips, knees and ankles but these small muscles are the key to keep me from stumbling over rocks and roots on the trail and will help to reduce the risk of injury. As they say, practice makes perfect, and the more I practice the sideward bound-pause, the less I’ve been wobbling on the pauses.

I figure this trek will also challenge my mental fitness, so I placed a photo (the one of the Furtwangler Glaciers at the top of the post) at my desk to keep me focused on my goal. It is helping me visualize the moment when I will finally take a stroll amongst the famous glaciers of Kilimanjaro. I can’t wait!

Route-specific training programs set up by Fit For Trips for Thomson Safaris’ Kilimanjaro treks. Custom programs are built with individuals’ fitness level and lifestyle in mind. Find out what other trekkers are saying about Fit For Trips.
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Look for more posts as we follow Rachel through her training program. If you’ve climbed Kili before, wish her luck, share a story or offer words of wisdom via posting a comment below!
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Post 1: Meet Rachel	Post 3: Training on the Trail

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June 19, 2012

Climb Kilimanjaro with Rachel! Post 1: Meet Rachel

This August, the newest member of our Kilimanjaro team, Rachel, is going to make her first attempt to summit Kilimanjaro. Follow her progress as she blogs about training for her trek and prepares for her trip to Tanzania. Look for Climb with Rachel posts here in the coming weeks. First, meet Rachel!

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I just found out I’m climbing Kilimanjaro this August and I’m beyond excited! After months of studying the mountain, its routes and the logistics involved with our treks, I cannot wait to experience the mountain for myself, first-hand.

I wouldn’t say my experience screams mountaineer but I do have a passion for hiking and the outdoors. Growing up in coastal Texas, which happens to be the flattest region of the state, didn’t exactly provide an optimal environment for hiking. In fact, if you asked me to describe a mountain when I was a child, I would say they were “buildings with trees on them!” Don’t worry, I’ve become much more familiar with mountains since then!

While I was in college in Seattle, day hikes in the Cascade Mountains got me hooked on hiking. Inspired by the mountains of the northwest, I sought out hiking opportunities wherever I traveled, including China – where I lived and worked – and the beautiful mountains of New Zealand. Since moving to the Boston area, I look forward to my weekend excursions to New Hampshire’s White Mountains, which happens to be a perfect place for training for Kili!

Kilimanjaro will be my first high-altitude experience, as the majority of my active background lies at lower elevations…at sea-level, literally! I’ve been a competitive swimmer since I was a kid and recently became an open water distance swimmer – I will be swimming my longest distance yet this summer: 10 miles! Training for open water in New England has been a bit chilly (the ocean doesn’t tend to warm up too much here), but I love the challenges the ocean presents with unpredictable factors like waves, currents, fish and seaweed. It’s so dynamic! When I’m not open water training, I like to join my teammates of the Nahant Knuckleheads; we swim in the ocean when it’s warm and do polar plunges when it’s not!

Like many of our guests, I’m headed to Tanzania as a solo traveler, and know that I will be in the best, most capable hands on the mountain; I am so excited to finally meet our hard-working guides and porters. In the meantime, I have been getting encouragement and lots of support from the staff here at Thomson Safaris, who have 10+ summits among them.

I’ll keep you posted on my training as I go. My regimen has been set up by Fit For Trips, who have been great about creating a custom program to incorporate the activities I already do and adding Kili-specific exercises, which will help me transform from a seasoned swimmer and casual hiker into a high-altitude climber!

Look for more posts as we follow Rachel through her training program. If you’ve climbed Kili before, wish her luck, share a story or offer words of wisdom via posting a comment below!
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April 11, 2012

Outfitting Our Kilimanjaro Porters

This season has seen a few improvements on Kilimanjaro. In addition to the new, sturdy sign at the summit, we became the first—and only company—on the mountain to outfit our porters with professional all-weather uniforms.

We tested quite a few prototype fabrics and uniforms until we finally found the right all-weather blend to provide protection from rain, wind and cold, while still maintaining comfort. Plus, you can’t miss the bright orange color! Our porters are excited about the new gear and often comment that this great improvement has made severe weather conditions much more tolerable.

If you’ve trekked before you know that porters are a hard-working lot. Our guests are always astounded as porters pass them on the trail at a rapid clip with 20-30 pounds of supplies, food and gear on their backs or atop their heads. Neither weather nor fatigue seems to slow them down!

Our Kilimanjaro guests return home with a great amount of respect and gratitude for porters, as displayed above. Read more comments from Thomson guests about our porters.

Outfitting our porters with uniforms is just one example of the many innovations and policies Thomson employs to take great care of its hard working guides and porters. Read more about our porter ethics and how you can help support Kilimanjaro porters.

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March 15, 2012

Thomson’s Kilimanjaro Trek & Safari Awarded by Outside Magazine

We are honored to earn a place in Outside Magazine’s 2012 Travel Awards Hall of Fame. The trek and safari package included on Outside’s “All-Time Favorite Trip List” begins with our Grand Traverse Route, a 10-day trek virtually circumnavigating Mt. Kilimanjaro. Not only does this lesser-traveled route offer stunning views, extra acclimatization days and a daytime summit bid, it also gives trekkers access to explore ancient glaciers while providing the best opportunity for summit success. Our 12-day Explorer’s Safari rounds out the itinerary by combining a mix of traditional wildlife viewing with a special Maasai-led hiking adventure across the Great Rift Valley. From the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro to the plains of the Serengeti, this trip has it all!

Trek through Maasailand on the Explorer’s Safari
Climb to the glaciers at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro on the Grand Traverse Route
Photos courtesy of Chuck Rubin and Joe Crump
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“We are honored and thrilled to be recognized by Outside,” says Judi Wineland, Thomson Safaris’ co-founder and co-director. “Travelers first started going on adventures with us in Tanzania more than 30 years ago. Today you will find the beauty of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti to be as breathtaking and boundless as ever.”

The April issue of Outside Magazine, America’s leading active-lifestyle and adventure-travel magazine, is available on newsstands this week.

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February 14, 2012

New Summit Sign on Mount Kilimanjaro

Congratulations! You are now at Uhuru Peak, Africa’s highest point and the world’s tallest free standing mountain. This is the information posted on the sign at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

It is more than just a mere sign—these rustic, wooden planks have become an icon for trekkers who set their sights on the 19,340’ peak. When the sign finally reveals itself from a distance, it transcends from a landmark to become a symbol of achievement. For many trekkers, reaching the sign (and getting that great snapshot) becomes the sole motivation for the final push of their ascent.

Old Kilimanjaro summit sign
Photo courtesy: Peter Gaylord

Uhuru translates to freedom in Swahili but for those who have trekked to Kili’s summit, Uhuru Peak – and its iconic sign – represent victory!

Thomson Trekker, Tracy, describes her first view of Uhuru Peak’s summit sign, “Reaching Stella Point and seeing the Uhuru Peak sign in the distance was the highlight – nothing was going to come between me and the Peak. [It] gave me an adrenaline boost and refueled my emotional ability to get to Uhuru.”

A new sign was erected at Uhuru Peak a few weeks ago, replacing the brown, rustic, weathered landmark with a shiny, new, green sign. This extreme makeover coincides with Tanzania’s semi-centennial – the new sign may have been a 50th birthday present to Uhuru Peak. Here’s to the next 50 years and a new vision of freedom and/or victory at high altitude!

New Kilimanjaro summit sign
Photo courtesy: Leslie & Andy Biggs