Why study Acute Mountain Sickness on Mount Kilimanjaro?
• At 5895m (19340ft) Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, and the largest free-standing mountain in the world. • Unusually for a mountain of its height no technical climbing skills are required to reach the summit, this means that Kilimanjaro has acquired something of an easy reputation a dangerous misconception. • The high altitude and the possibility of a quick ascent (often due to money or time constraints) means that a dozen people, on average, lose their lives every year, usually as victims of Acute Mountain Sickness.
