The Most Important Kilimanjaro Records

Climbing Kilimanjaro has always been one of the most interesting outdoor adventures known to man. In its history many people have established several records that still are available today. With this article we will try to offer you information about the most important records broken on Kilimanjaro.

1.Fastest ascent & descent of Kilimanjaro

The record for the fastest ascent and descent of the mountain belongs to Simon Mtuy, originally from Tanzania, who managed this in only 8 hours and 27 minutes. This record was set back in 2004 on December 26th and it took him 6 hours to reach the summit through the Umbwe Route. After that, he took a 20 minute break and after another 2 hours and 20 minutes, he reached Mweka Gate. Two years later, in 2006, climbed from the Umbwe Gate to the summit and down in 9 hours and 19 minutes, and this time he did it alone, establishing the fastest unaided ascent and descent. By unaided we mean that he carried his own clothing, food and water.

2.Fastest ascent of Kilimanjaro (male)

Bruno Brunod managed to reach the Uhuru Peak from the Marangu Gate in only 5 hours and 38 minutes. This occurred in 2001 and still remains the fastest verified ascent of the mountain. There are some sources that state another record, established by Sean Burch on June 7, 2005 who allegedly climbed Kilimanjaro in 5 hours and 28 minutes. Other sources claim that a man by the name of Christian Stangl, coming from Austria, did id it 5 hours and 36 minutes, 6 years ago.

3.Fastest ascent of Kilimanjaro (female)

Coming from the United Kingdom, Rebecca Rees-Evans, who was a member of the Team Kilimanjaro organization, reached the Uhuru Peak through the Marangu Route, in exactly 13 hours, 16 minutes and 37 seconds.

4.Youngest person to ascent Kilimanjaro

On January 21st, 2008, Keats Boyd, originally from Los Angeles, United States; successfully helped his 7 year old boy reach the Uhuru Peak, thus becoming the youngest person that managed to reach the mountain’s top. It is interesting if we take in consideration that legally speaking, you have to be at least 10 years old before you can climb the mountain. The youngest person above the minimum age limit that reached the top of the mountain was Jordan Romero, originally from California. On July 23rd, 2006, at the age of 10 years and 11 days, he reached the Uhuru Peak.

5.Oldest person to ascent Kilimanjaro

Recently there have been many records broken that fall in this category and the latest one (officially the current record) belongs to Carl Haupt, originally from the United States, aged 79. He managed to reach the Uhuru Peak in 2004. This is the official record as it is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. However, sources say that the oldest person to climb the mountain is a Frenchman by the name of Valtee Daniel, aged 87.

As you can see from all of these five world records, climbing Kilimanjaro has always been a thrill, and we will most likely see in the future that these records will be broken by other people, just as ambitious as these five, or even more.