Who Might Get It?

Anyone can get altitude sickness, but fit people might handle it better because their hearts and lungs are stronger. Still, no one can say for sure who’ll feel it. Even super healthy climbers can get sick above 3,500 meters (11,483 feet) if they’re not used to high places. It’s hard to predict!

What Does It Feel Like?

Altitude sickness can hit you with stuff like headaches, feeling sick to your stomach or throwing up, trouble breathing, being super tired, not sleeping well, not wanting to eat, or feeling dizzy. These usually start a few hours after you reach a high spot. Mild cases might go away in a day or two, but if it’s worse, you might need oxygen, medicine, or to drop down a bit to feel better. Really bad signs include:

• Feeling confused or seeing things that aren’t there

• Hard breathing even when you’re resting

• Can’t walk straight or at all

• Coughing up white or pink frothy stuff

• A headache that won’t quit, even with medicine

• Chest feeling tight

How Does High Altitude Affect You?

1. Less Oxygen in Your Blood: Up high, each breath has less oxygen, so your blood doesn’t carry as much. This makes you tired and out of breath. If it gets too low, it can mess with your thinking and decisions—pretty risky! That’s why guides check your oxygen levels daily with a little device called a pulse oximeter.

2. Brain Swelling (Cerebral Edema): Low pressure can make fluid build up in your head, starting with a headache. If it gets worse, you could feel lost, pass out, or even die.

3. Lung Problems (Pulmonary Edema): Thin air can let fluid leak into your lungs, making it hard to breathe. It might even turn into something like pneumonia, especially at night.

How to Spot and Treat It

Altitude sickness comes on fast. You might feel out of breath, wiped out, or get a headache first. Our guides know how to spot it early and help. They’ll check your oxygen, give medicine, use oxygen tanks, or a special mask if needed. Tell them how you feel right away so they can fix it fast!

How to Avoid Altitude Sickness on Lemosho

1. Climb High, Sleep Low: Go up a bit during the day, then sleep lower at night. This helps your body get used to the thin air slowly while you rest.

2. Take It Easy: Go slow and steady. Guides will tell you to keep a calm pace so you breathe evenly and don’t overwork your heart or lungs.

3. Drink Lots of Water: Aim for 3-4 liters a day. Staying hydrated helps your body adjust and can cut down on sickness symptoms, which can feel like dehydration.

4. Try Diamox: This medicine can help prevent or ease sickness. Talk to your doctor first to make sure it’s okay for you, especially if you’ve got other health stuff going on.

Tips for a Good Climb

Here’s some simple advice for climbing Kilimanjaro on the Lemosho Route—or any big mountain:

• Don’t Rush: It’s not a race. Pick a longer route like Lemosho (7-8 days) to give your body time to adjust. Slow and steady wins here!

• Stay Hydrated: Keep sipping water all day—3-4 liters keeps you strong.

• Eat Smart: Load up on carbs like rice or pasta for energy. Our cooks will hook you up, but bring snacks you like too.

• Skip Alcohol: Booze makes sickness worse and slows how you get used to the height. Save it for after!

Why Lemosho Helps

The Lemosho Route is great because it’s long and gradual. You start low in the forest and climb slowly, giving your body days to get comfy with less oxygen. By the time you hit high spots like Stella Point or Uhuru Peak, you’re more ready. It’s all about taking your time to enjoy the climb and stay safe!