KILIMANJARO- what NOBODY TELLS YOU! + Top Tips for SUCCESS!

[@heynadine]

Check out our whole Kilimanjaro Series, 5 videos including: 2 part vlog of our trip, Training/Info Guide, What to Pack, and Q&A! And don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE for more! kzbin.info/aero/PLBmF7uPtI-4FPwDdJJIz7s-BDaOoXYZ8O

[@FM-qs3lo]

This has been on my bucket list for so long and for you to make such detailed videos about it makes me feel like I can really prepare and make it happen, Thank you!!!

[@mattofstie9298]

Happy to hear! You can 100% make it to the top if you choose a good tour provider, a good route, come prepared, hike slowly, and eat/drink as much as you can. If you're still concerned about making it, do lots of cardio, strengthen your legs, bring diamox, and choose a longer route. You'll be fine!

[@mattofstie9298]

For a fun little drinking game, take a shot of Amarula every time one of us says "essentially"

[@expeditionafricadmc8231]

Your welcome

[@thefangirlray]

I love how detailed you got into your Mount Kilimanjaro trip

[@AimlesslyDrifting]

yup i was thinking the same

[@calipsoreign4796]

Matt explaining changes to a woman’s cycle just made my week! 😂

[@mattofstie9298]

Anytime! lol

[@tellyourstoryIII]

omg we address the same sort of topics in our most recent interview

[@meredithwinslow]

Currently trying to convince my friends to hike Kilimanjaro with me! And yes you should definitely hike Everest! It’s been on my bucket list forever

[@torischober7247]

I'm hoping to hike summer of 22! You're always welcome to meet up with me!

[@RudiZimmerer]

Mount Everest basic camp is too expensive today, you have to choose a porter or a group, and the flights cost $900, Hotels/food 3 times the price than normal in Nepal mountains, the summit cost $50000, and 3 months of preparation... The Thorong La Pass is for free and 5400m altitude... Then even Kailash makes much more sense... Every Asian wants to trek the Mount Everest Basic camp...

[@izzyjimenez927]

By far the most easily explained Kilimanjaro videos I’ve ever seen! THANK YOU so much for the time and effort for putting this together!

[@Kavitan67]

For the downhill part, it's definitely worth getting some knee supports, this will really help lessen the damage, give you stability, and hopefully prevent so much pain the next day. I just found this channel and now I'm binge-watching! My mum was born in Tanzania so it's a dream of mine to go to Kilimanjaro and also to visit her birthplace in Arusha! Hopefully, I'll be able to go one day.

[@keiraoregan2726]

Thankyou for this series, loved seeing the highlights of the trek but more importantly all the packing and extra info which you don’t always see in vlogs. I was booked for Everest this May and Kilimanjaro was on my radar for later in the year so looking forward to when I can travel again and all this info will come in handy!!

[@passportoadventure]

Yes go to Everest, I would love to see those vlogs! You are already so prepared, and already have everything you need aha

[@Travelwithchris]

Passport to Adventure yes i agree

[@heynadine]

base camp yes, not the actual climb :P that would require far more actual mountaineering experience

[@passportoadventure]

@@heynadine Yes sorry, I just meant the base camp trek

[@seanpinheiro3458]

Congratulations on making it to the summit and congratulations on your engagement also. I climbed Kili in January and best experience of my life so far you can't really describe how it feels when you make it to the top. Climbed with my classmates so lots of memories were made that I will never forget:)

[@s.a.stewart2743]

Sounds like the start of a really bad joke. 2 Vegans, 2 vegetarians, 1 gluten free and Matt go up a hill.

[@mattofstie9298]

lol

[@daniellerose1114]

This series was amazing. You should do more of these videos for future trips.

[@Green_Brin17]

I love the planning and budget breakdown videos! That would be interesting for you to do more videos like this on past and future trips!

[@miriamdavis1481]

Loved this series. I really enjoy the packing and planning videos.

[@BrendanExplores]

Awesome video! Hoping to tick some awesome destinations off on my travel vlog after the UK lockdown 😊🙏

[@charlenewrite518]

Have loved this series of videos! Been brightening up my quarantine

[@Travelwithchris]

Such a dream destination! Earliest ive ever made it to your vids!

[@heynadine]

Haha very early indeed!

[@LinusWilson]

Kosiosco hike to 3.5 hours in the winter. I walked more sight seeing around the opera house in Sydney.

[@heyjenniferjones]

Porters are amazing! When i did the inca trail in peru the food was amazing...and they baked us a cake too before machu picchu! Wow

[@marjiecleveland]

Definitely like hearing all the details. It makes it easier to know whether I would want to do a particular hike or trip. Thanks!

[@Danolsen93]

I did Kilimanjaro in 2019 and i will go everest base camp 2020!

[@AimlesslyDrifting]

good idea!

[@samanthawiltshire9420]

I’m an Aussie and have done Kosciusko walk. Definitely a one day journey, simply gorgeous and super easy. In the right conditions in off season sections of snow on the way up. It’s also awesome for skiing in the snow season. Nice food and accommodation too. Easy peasy road trip from Sydney if you are staying there.

[@timbrosnan936]

Thanks so much for putting this Kilimanjaro series together. Very well filmed and edited. But best of all, one of the most informative videos on Kili that I’ve seen. Very helpful for planning my own summit trip after Covid. Many thanks.

[@suellenalves6747]

I'm going to Kilimanjaro in January. Watching all your videos. Thanks!! So helpful

[@corinneexplores6984]

💕 loved this series! I enjoy planning for trips as much as the actual travelling and it‘s interesting to get insights from your planning, travel stories and recap

[@RichAndSunny]

That sunrise looked so epic! And very important questions... but ewwww! Good heads up though, lol. Thanks for sharing and congrats on tackling Kilimanjaro!

[@heynadine]

gotta keep it real!

[@redbluehot]

Everest, is SO AWESOME!! was there in 2013.

[@scottman895]

Thank you for the great Q&A! The questions about going to the bathroom on the mountain are usually not ones most travelers think about until they are about to actually start the hike. I have enjoyed these detailed videos about a particular destination such as Mt. Kilimanjaro!

[@heynadine]

yay! yea, we've gone pretty indepth on this series, if people enjoy it we can break down more of our trips like this!

[@expeditionafricadmc8231]

Great and you're welcome to Expedition Africa

[@rachelbaylis1871]

You should look into the Poon Hill circuit in the Annapurna region of Nepal - absolutely beautiful and the food is incredible

[@AimlesslyDrifting]

ima look into that, thank you!

[@mattsheringham3947]

Great info thanks! I'm the opposite. Really want to do Killimanjaro, but I have done Everest Base Camp. Which I highly recommend. I have just uploaded another video from my everest trip. One tip make sure you go up Kala Pattar ( stunning views of Everest) for sunrise the morning after you've been to Everest Base Camp. Although it was probably the hardest few hours of hiking I've ever done, due to the elevation. Your kilimanjaro videos have been helpful. Thanks Nadine and Matt

[@vclamp]

I am very glad that you two made it up there. You will always be able to reflect on that success when life throws you a curve ball. Thank you for being inspirational. 😇

[@emilymckechnie3506]

Mount Kosciusko in Aus will be a piece of cake after Kilimanjaro. The peak is 2228m elevation. The tracks are day walks.

[@ovarbtv2357]

Nice !! Good work guys !! Keep uploading !! Subscribed !!!

[@selenacapraro7269]

LOVE the packing and prep videos! More please 😊

[@flightofthefox-aussietrave1430]

Oh my goodness, hiking Kilimanjaro sounds so gnarly, but so amazing! 😊😊 This is 100% on our bucketlists now!

[@TheKarebear666]

I really enjoy these types of videos! If it makes sense to do the breakdown of the trip, I would watch it

[@Narendersinghyadavofficial]

Nice update Great job Amazing...

[@sashakardos-machado3893]

Loved this series!

[@Travelwithchris]

Sasha Kardos-Machado same sooo good!

[@ste5326]

Loving these videos and congratulations on the climb. What do you do whilst you are not hiking? (What do you do at camp?). Just seems apart from sleeping and eating, it's a long time to just be sat there. Thanks for the videos, a big help

[@mattofstie9298]

So some days you definitely have more time, but I never really felt like there was excessive amount of time at camp. Hard to remember exactly after a couple years. Lunches and dinners are fairly drawn out and take up a bit of time. There are some quick chats and medical checks each morning and evening to check heart-rate and blood oxygen. They provide hot water for washing up, which is nice to do each evening to freshen up a little and keep the body odor at bay. You can walk around the camp to check out the area/views, read a book, or sit down and have a hot drink with your fellow climbers. You're also waking up at 5 or 6am each morning so everyone was in bed pretty early.

[@ncjdivadancer]

This is super helpful, planning for 2021

[@abzworld610]

Hi Nadine, I did Everest Base camp this time last year and Kilimanjaro is next on my list! I’m sure you’d love to head up into the Himalayas!

[@Lauren_aida]

I want to do a Himalayan trek so bad too! Most likely the Annapurna Base Camp trek 😊

[@jp9153]

Thank you so much for answering my questions ( I also asked one on insta ) ❤️😊 loved this series !

[@tiffanyh4364]

Go to Gokyo Ri in the Himalayas!! From the peak, you can see Everest, plus 3 other 8000meter peaks. You start on the route to EBC and it is super crowded and busy. But after a few days you branch off and you will have the trail to yourself! Amazing trek. Best kept secret in Nepal!

[@terryvarta9306]

I really enjoyed your informative videos guys. Thank u

[@chifaitommyluk9921]

Thanks for your sharing.

[@SehrKhan]

Best of luck being a travel vlogger during this time!! I bet you're ready to get back out there ASAP!

[@EarlyDawnTravels]

10000% recommend taking Diamox! At least get the script from your doc and bring it! We did Everest Base Camp and put off taking it until Day 5. Thank the LORD we brought it because we couldn’t sleep without it.

[@EmilyClaireDaly]

Brilliant title 😉 I’m excited to see where you go after corona!

[@Travelwithchris]

TRACKING ED • Emily Daly yes same.

[@AimlesslyDrifting]

My girlfriend and i are planning to do this in the future and vlog it. Thank you for the awesome information. Exactly what we needed. Appreciate your efforts!

[@mattofstie9298]

Good luck!

[@AimlesslyDrifting]

Matt Ofstie thanks bro!

[@sarahmckenzie3929]

Loved this series 🙂

[@matthewwarlin7421]

Everest Base camp is a bucket list item for me, but I"m not 100% sure I can do it with a heart issue I have, so I'd love to see you guys do that!

[@willyandolya3741]

Never been this early. Haha. Very good Q&A, congratulations in this huge accomplishment 🌄👩🏼‍🤝‍👨🏻

[@heynadine]

thank you :)

[@panagiotakaldiri64]

If one of you had to stop and go down (altitude or other reason), what the other one would do? Continue or not?? I enjoyed the videos so much, amazing experience..

[@mattofstie9298]

We had agreed beforehand that if one of us had to turn around, the other person would continue on with the hike

[@heynadine]

Yup, what Matt said :) we would be happy for the other to succeed:)

[@kelpot4254]

hehehe (kosciuszko) Pronounced - Koh-zee-oz-koh, which you can definitely walk in a day for sure, but there are ways to cheat. If you want the true hike you would start right from the bottom (Charlottes Pass 18.6km) , there are carparks (Thredbo) that go half way up & a few other options. You can actually even ride this trail. Love this set of videos, I'm new to your channel! Looking forward to a good binge during COVID.

[@racheledwards7113]

Thanks guys very informative. I was going to book Killi but actually now think I will reconsider as there is much more beautiful, cheaper and clean (!) places to see. One erased from my bucket list but in a good way, I would hate to spend all that money and it be underwhelming

[@live.travel.]

doing ebc trek my friends and I all decided to not eat meat while on the trek as we didn't want to risk getting sick, but as soon as we got down to Lukla we all indulged in some meat. our guides there also brought us apples which was a huge blessing (roughage) and we ran out the last night and the next day I got diarrhea, so bring imodium, altitude does that to you similar to periods. lots of similarities, but yes pack garbage down please, get your cardio up is what I'd recommend

[@erinfulford2630]

ahhhh that's so sad to hear about all the trash! Planning on going in August this year and your videos have been very helpful :)

[@heyjenniferjones]

Let's do Everest base camp trek together ☺ LOVED THIS SERIES

[@BROWNDIRTWARRIOR]

I am flying from Kelowna as well (probably Air Canada because of my air miles). Did your flight have many stops?

[@عبدالعزيزالواصل-ص6س]

GUYS THIS IS TOO FUNNY LOOOOOOL plz keep up the good work! love from Saudi Arabia

[@ATrainTravels]

When I was a little kid in Ukraine playing in the streets with my friends and if we had to go we would use leaves instead of toilet paper. I can relate to your experience :) Not the same bur similar.

[@MasoudRamezani]

Bravo 👏 good luck 👍 peace ☮️ and love ❤️ from iran 🇮🇷

[@EarlyDawnTravels]

Nadine, I would look into Island Peak in Nepal over EBC, google it. It’s freaking awesome!! A little more technical, but it’s mind over matter baby! If you do Island Peak, you’ll essentially do EBC and then summit at Island Peak. In my opinion, when you reach the climax of your trek at EBC, it’s quite anticlimactic and I think hiking to a PEAK as a true summit is so much more mentally rewarding.

[@StandingInMotion]

If you have any questions about Aconcagua, which I recently summited back in Feb, send me a msg. While it is the 2nd easiest trek of the 7 summits, the summit success rate is less than 50%, due to extreme weather and altitude. Only 2 of the 7 in my group made it up. And they also recommend not to take any diamox after base camp due to lack of water higher up and the side effects of the med.

[@TheChainChasers]

Are porta potties not possible to get off the mountain? Human waste issue seems avoidable

[@faithwithsheldon]

You should try summit Huascarán in Peru

[@emilyvitale7648]

@HeyNadine! I love the layers you wore summiting. What size did you get in rain shell, fleece, and puffy? I'm a similar build and am torn between sizing!!

[@arunaj1364]

Hi to everyone. When do you take diamox? Before you start climbing or when you start feeling the simptoms of altitude ? Thank you

[@mattofstie9298]

It's generally recommended to start taking diamox 1-2 days before climbing. If you begin taking it when you start to feel symptoms then it may be too late

[@frankcarpenter6175]

MT Fugi is Japan is a good climb. It can be done in 1 day but you can take 2 if you want.

[@andrewstevens2364]

I wish you did a packing vid for mens stuff.

[@mattofstie9298]

Ya, sorry about that. But it really is the same stuff Nadine packed. I just packed a couple more shirts since I get more sweaty, that's about it.

[@nietzchec224]

Kosciuszko is a walk in the park. Just be prepared to bring lots and lots of bug repellant or a hat with a mosquito net. Those bugs are so clingy for my liking...

[@larrybothe8246]

If I were to hike up Mt K single, could I come down engaged too? What tour company can arrange that? Are there matchmaking tour operators?? LOL But, congrats to you two! I’ve been watching as you’ve been to so many awesome destinations and waiting for a proposal, sometimes impatiently!! :)

[@mattofstie9298]

Haha, i'm sure someone could arrange that one way or another...

[@RudiZimmerer]

I got one-time Altitude sickness, but I could so survive the Avalanches, we were running upwards like crazy... My tip: Go super slowly and so no Altitude sickness

[@hollyc8922]

Hi Nadine, just found this series and love all the amazing details and personal experiences you guys included in the videos. You mentioned that you rented sleeping bags instead of bringing your own. Could you provide the name of the rental company? Are the bags clean? I am debating whether to rent or buy one for the climb this summer. Thank you!

[@heynadine]

Our tour provider (Kandoo Adventures) supplied the sleeping bag rentals. They were really good quality, very warm and clean. They looked pretty much brand new. Although I can't guarantee all rentals would be like this! You can rent pretty much anything you need in the town of Moshi. I think any decent tour provider would be able to help you source rental stuff and to make sure you're getting good/clean stuff

[@mirandaalexis]

we love an engaged couple

[@Neshagal]

What size what your day packs?

[@lovisern.8745]

Did you also rent the camping tent? And is the sleeping mat also rented?

[@Paddlehead99]

What kind of GoPro or camera did you use for video on climb? Thanks , heading there Sept 2022!

[@mattofstie9298]

We had 2 mirrorless cameras with us - a Sony a6400 and a Sony a7 III. Lots of people just used their cellphone for photos/video. We also brought spare batteries and a battery bank to charge our electronics. It's also good to know that the summit can be well below freezing temps, so camera batteries might die during the long climb in the cold (one of ours did). If you want photo's & video at the summit i'd suggest keeping your phone or camera (or at least the battery) inside a pocket that's close to your body to keep it warm.

[@expeditionafricadmc8231]

We are a local owned Safari Tour operator based in Arusha, Tanzania. We arrange safaris in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda and we offer a range of different packages, including wildlife safaris, beach holidays, Kilimanjaro & Mt. Meru trekking, hiking and cultural tours. All safaris and trekking are guided by local Tanzanian tour guides and our services varies from budget to luxury, depending on which type of holiday you prefer. We are well experienced and we always try our best to meet your needs and requirements. We focus on your individual request and work closely with you, to finalize your holiday program . Lots of thanks to our guides for their great work and to our clients for choosing Expedition Africa for their travel to east Africa. When you Travel with us, you 100% support local communities in Tanzania and help to make todays world better for everyone

[@Maja-tg1om]

oh my godness you are making my dreams come to another level, i'll do anything to experience it on my own, plz someone who is in charge, gimmie well-paid job haha

[@Adventuring_outdoors]

Hey how did you guys go with charging your camera gear? Did you use a portable storage what size?

[@mattofstie9298]

Battery banks to charge our electronics and we packed lots of SD cards for storage

[@torischober7247]

Which tour provider did you choose?

[@mattofstie9298]

Kandoo Adventures, and they were excellent

[@thathikerfamily6373]

Can you tell us what tour provider you used?

[@heynadine]

Kandoo Adventures

[@tiffanyh4364]

For those who are not on birth control, talk to your MD about progesterone supplements just for the month that you want to postpone your period. I did this on my trek to Gokyo Ri in Nepal and it worked perfectly. I started taking them a few days before I would have started my period, stopped the day I came home from Nepal and I started my period the next day.

[@mhollick63]

All five videos were great. Now all I have to do is talk my husband into it.

[@don-dspid2404]

I wonder if wearing some kind of knee support would help on the way down. Did anyone do that? It was an amazing adventure. I can understand you getting upset or disappointed with human kind when you see trash everywhere. I've heard the trash is bad on Everest all the way up. That is a real shame that people do that. Thank you for taking us along. Profs to the porters. They must be in amazing shape to do what they do.

[@mattofstie9298]

A knee brace would probably be a good idea. Not sure how much it would help, but i'm sure it would be better than nothing. And ya, serious props to the porters, they are super humans 🙌

[@heynadine]

The poles helped a lot for the way down

[@tonylevoyageur]

Annapurna is a nice one in the Himalayas

[@MC-fv9no]

Which tour provider did you use?

[@heynadine]

Kandoo Adventures

[@rickson50]

For me, when I research a trip I organize all my findings in one place. and make google docs with all the info. You said you did so much research, if you that stuff one place still, can you share it. It would make everything for us a lot easier :)

[@katiewompus]

Day 2 WAS the day I was thinking you would say was the worst haha

[@Pexzee]

Did you talk with the people outside of your group or is every group just doing their own thing in their own time?

[@heynadine]

not really, mostly was just talking to people in our group. Though you definitely could talk to others on the trail!

[@ncjdivadancer]

Did you bring a pillow. Or were you provided with one?

[@mattofstie9298]

We weren't provided with one. We went minimal and just used an extra sweater as a pillow. I'd suggest an inflatable pillow to save space, or just bring an empty pillow case and fill with clothes.

[@Kevdog.]

Sorry if I missed it somewhere... but, who was your tour provider?

[@mattofstie9298]

Kandoo Adventures

[@melaniedion9691]

One question I was hoping you could answer... can you charge your I phone at base camp ? or Apple watch ?

[@mattofstie9298]

The only way to charge electronics is to bring a battery bank

[@nicksansalone8506]

is it 5-8 days to the summit or round trip?

[@mattofstie9298]

Depends on the route you take. Ours was 7 days round trip. 5.5 days to summit and 1.5 days down.

[@josephodhiambo8438]

How did you all charge your phones?

[@NicolasCaron]

The toilet situation was not that bad on the less travelled Northern Circuit.

[@mattofstie9298]

Glad to hear! How many days was your Northern Circuit trek?

[@NicolasCaron]

@@mattofstie9298 7 days including one night at Crater Camp BUT we did a 4 day Mount Meru hike before doing Kili which helped a ton with aclimatation. Mount Meru is an amazing hike in itself and I really do not regret doing it.

[@rachelm5478]

Hi. I'm a little late to this but I was wondering if you could please explain why people donate equipment to porters? That seems to imply that they can't afford the gear themselves. Are they not paid enough? Also, I'm Australian. Mt Kosciusko is a 4 hour walk and you can get a chair lift a lot of the way. I imagine it would make you guys laugh after Kilimanjaro. We don't really have proper mountains in Australia 😂 It's a lovely day out though.

[@mattofstie9298]

From what I understand, if you go with a tour provider that is KPAP approved, then the porters will make a "living wage" when you combine their regular pay together with the recommended tips they receive. But the standard of living is very different in Tanzania and it's difficult for porters to afford good quality gear. Most things in East Africa were much more expensive that we expected them to be when you consider how low average wages are.

[@rachelm5478]

Thanks! That's helpful!