When should I start training to climb Kilimanjaro?
Now. I’m currently advising two groups going to New Mexico and Colorado in late July. The biggest thing they are going up are a few 14ers in Colorado (day hikes) and they’ll be doing a trek that will take them up a few 10,000 footers in NM. Both groups are operating out of Pennsylvania. They’ve been hiking 10-12 mile day hikes once a month (with full packs) since November. Plus walking 2-3 miles at least 3 times a week. They each will do three 3-day backpacking trips in PA (not maxing out 2000ft) and one of those trips is to the Adirondacks in New York where they will hit a few peaks over 4000ft. What they are doing is no where near as tough as Kilamanjaro…so you better get crackin’. I suggest doing things that will get your lungs big. Try breathing into a plastic bag while you hike so your body gets used to using less oxygen. Running 3 hours up stairs will kill you. Start with maybe only 30 minutes and work up to an hour. Treadmills and Spinning bikes will help. Get that pulse up. S
