Scaling The Summits

The beauty of Mount Kilimanjaro has to be seen to be believed. Climbing this snowcapped mountain is like taking a virtual climatic world tour, where you can experience practically every climate right from the tropics to the Arctic. It remains a light of hope for lovers of mountaineering all over the world. The crater rim can be reached with just a walking stick and determination. For those who would want to visit the actual summit -also called Uhuru point, you need to have the stamina and physical fitness, however, there’s a climbing certificate that’s awarded for those who manage to scale this point.

It is one of the seven summits or one of the seven highest peaks in the world. Other summits include Mount Everest, Mount Cotopaxi, Elbrus, Aconcagua, Denali, Carstensz Pyramid and Mount Vinson. It is the aim of many mountaineers to climb the seven summits. But very few manage to achieve this. Until January 2010, only about 275 had managed to achieve this. There are very few women climbers who have managed this feat.

Prominent among these is Lei Wang, a well known Chinese woman climber. She also achieved the distinction of being the first Asian American woman climber to have managed to scale all the seven summits along with the two poles (north and south). Only nine people have achieved this feat till date. A post graduate in Business Administration from Wharton University, she took to mountaineering after a trip to Cotopaxi as a part of her school’s leadership training program. Mountaineering is no longer a domain dominated by men although the ration of female to male climbers is strikingly disproportionate. There are many female climbers who have proved that they are equally competent and strong both mentally and physically than their male counterparts.

The adventure and sheer grit attached to mountaineering attracts many people to mountaineering as a sport. The arduous journey is compensated with the wonderful sight that lay’s ahead when they reach the summit. The adventure and fun that’s achieved is to be experienced to be believed. Some of the requisites are a good physical condition, arduous training and finally proper preparations.

Mountaineering has become serious business for many, with countries like Nepal attracting adventure tourist looking to scale Mount Everest. However there are a few things to remember; it is important to respect the nature that gave you so much of beauty. Remember to be as eco friendly as possible and use eco friendly products during the trek. Also maintain a littler free environment. The eco system in these areas is fragile and make sure you respect the environment.

You can begin by taking lessons in mountaineering and taking vigorous training. Make sure you are healthy and fit.