Mountain Climbing Safety
Mountain Climbing Safety
Mountain Climbing Safety: Mountain Climbing is one of the most adventurous tourist activities done in East Africa. This activity that is done in almost all in East African countries attracts about 1000 mountain climbers to the region yearly.
East Africa is endowed with a range of unique mountains that offer climbers unique and spectacular experiences as they take on these mountains. Though climbing these mountains offers a thrill like no other, mountain climbing in itself can be dangerous if safety precautions are not taken.
In this article we want to suggest a couple of measures you can take to ensure your safety as you take on the mountain climbing adventure.
Fitness
Mountain climbing is fun and one thrilling activity and though one surface may look like one doable by everyone, you need to be physically and mentally fit to take on these mountains. They require a lot of you so you should be fit in all ways take on the mountains. If you are not a regular mountain climber you may need to do some training before you take mountain climbing activity.
Mountain Climbing footwear
Unlike any other East African safari activity where you are able to have any comfortable foot wear, mountain climbing requires a specific type of foot wear normally hiking shoes or boots. This kind of footwear is made to support you as you climb the mountain and also protect your feet during the climb.
Mountain Climbing Clothes
Mountain climbing can be a strenuous activity so its advised that when you take on this activity you should wear comfortable clothes not tight and not so loose, just comfortable enough to not become a burden for you when climbing up the mountain. Also at that effect the clothing should be moderately light to not become heavy on you as you climb. However if you are climbing high attitude mountains like Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt Rwenzori and Mt Kenya among others you will need to carry warm clothing to keep you warm when you are high up the mountain. Mountain climbing clothing will therefore include but not limited to:- tour trousers and shirts, gloves, hats, warmers, socks and many more.
Food and drinks
Like any other energy emitting activity, climbing is laborious activity and can easily make you hungry and dizzy as you climb up the mountain. So its advised that on your mountain climbing experience you carry some snacks and drinks to refresh and reenergise as you climb. The snacks and drinks can include water, energy drinks, candy bars, proteins and carbohydrates among other things.
First Aid kit
It’s inevitable to climb a mountain and not get an injury or hurt or headache or discomfort; the activity of mountain climbing a bit wears out the body and in some instance you will need some medicines to help the body; thus the need for a first Aid Kit.
A mountain climber’s first Aid Kit may include among other things, pain killers, antihistamines, bandages, alcohol strips, antibiotics, personal medicines etc.
Weather Shields
Even when you are sure of the weather forecast, weather something that can change in an instant and affect you and your safety as you climb a mountain. So it’s very important that you are aware of the weather forecast before you embark on your climb; this will help to know and prepare for what to expect on the climb.
Also in the same effect you should carry weather shields in case the weather turns differently than expected; these shields may include umbrellas, wind shields, rain garments etc.
Managing an accident
Accidents during mountain climbing are some of the inevitable things but how you deal with an accident during a climb may help your safety or harm you. As you prepare for mountain climbing you should learn a few skills on managing accidents on a climb so that in cases when the accidents happen you’re ready to handle the accident and still stay safe.
The above are among the few safety tips you may need to consider while taking on mountain climbing. East Africa offers a wide opportunity for mountain climbing on the different mountains in the region from one day mountain climbing experiences to 10 days plus. If you wish to have a mountain climbing experience in East Africa you should consult with your tour operator to identify which mountain best suits your expectations and desires.
