In preparation for my ascent next month, I thought I’d take a quick review of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. Kilimanjaro is a dormant stratovolcano located in northeastern Tanzania, near the border with Kenya, and is 3°S from the equator. It consists of three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, and the highest summit at 19,341 ft (5895 m) above sea level is Uhuru Peak on Kibo’s crater rim.
The temperature at the summit averages 19 °F (−7 °C), and daytime temperatures on the Northern Ice Field, on the west slope of the peak, averages 25 °F (−4 °C). Snowfall in the summit area can happen year-round, but is most likely during the two rainy seasons in March-May and November-December. The snow line on Kilimanjaro is located above 18,000 ft (5500 m).
As of the late 1880s, the Kibo summit and caldera area was completely covered by an ice cap with outlet glaciers on the western and southern slopes. A shift in climate around this time that decreased specific humidity reduced accumulation has led to the rapid retreat of the glaciers. Over 85% of the ice cover has disappeared from 1912 to present day, and 40% of the ice present in 2000 has been lost. Likely all of the ice will disappear in 20-40 years.
I’m planning on additional posts on Mount Kilimanjaro as I continue preparing for my trip to cover details about the climb.
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