Climbing MT Kilimanjaro _ stupid idea?

[fitnessforlife]

I've suffered from unexplained pain in hips and other parts for years, not debilitating pain but enough to need pain killers everyday. It's has limited my walking a lot, I used to love walking, but now after 15mins legs/hips start to ache.

Finally after having various scans and visits to Rheumatology and Neurology, I was told there's nothing wrong with me I should just use pain killers whenever I'm in pain and was discharged from any further investigation.

Last year, I decided to take up some exercise (although I was always active, nothing to lose!) . gradually I started to feel better, pains have lessened and started doing short walks.

I recently heard some acquaintances discussing how going on a mountain climbing expedition and revolutionised their life, not only physically but their mental state and whole outlook to life. I am now wondering wether this is something I could potentially work towards, but am I being stupid? Is this a silly idea for someone like me? I hear some people say you have to be mega fit to, but then I also hear of disabled people going so I'm confused as to what sort of people are meant to even contemplate it. I know I can't climb any mountain at my current fitness level but could I train for it?

My friend did it before she lost weight. I'd recommend some mountain climbing here in the UK tho. You could also do 3 peaks challenges

I've never heard of the 3 peaks challenge. Can you tell me more please?

There's yorkshire 3 peaks,Welsh 3 peaks and national 3 peaks....3 tallest mountains one after the other.

I would start with some of the peaks in the UK - as previous posters said, things like the 3 peak challenges….or even just one peak at a time to begin with. Why not see how that works out before you spend a fortune travelling to climb Kilimanjaro. There are also some amazing long-distance walks, with some climbing in them and the opportunity to add more - things like the West Highland Way etc.

I think it wouldn't be a good idea to go from zero to Mt Kilimanjaro. Try Snowdon first, for e.g.

Or instead of mountain climbing, what about trekking? Have you heard of the Camino de Santiago in Spain? It's an ancient pilgrim's walk. I haven't done it but a friend has and found it life-enhancing. www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/spain/10718708/How-to-do-the-Camino-de-Santiago-walk.html

Doesn't that cost like a massive amount of money to climb a mountain like that?

If there's some shizzle you can do in the UK then personally I would agree to start there.

Yes costs quite a bit I should imagine

You need to go as part of a guided expedition, and so yes, it will cost a bit . There are also 5/6 different routes, some of which is easier but more crowded, the others more challenging but less crowded. What it costs depends on what's provided. On some you basically need to carry your own stuff, whereas others will be portered, so you just need to carry a day sack. Kilimanjaro is a trekking peak so there's no actual rope climbing except on 1 route that hardly anyone does, although there are some scrambles on the more challenging ones. Main issue with Kilimanjaro is the altitude.

I'd be useless! I was hallucinating on Ben Nevis and throwing up on snowdon....and I'm 6 foot tall as it is

We did this 16 years ago. As Bunting says, it's not as physical as you would expect on the route we did, but lots of people suffer with altitude sickness. Two of the fittest in our group had to be stretchered down.

I second doing some of our UK mountains. There are some amazing places in the UK. There is a good website called Walkingbritian.co.uk.

As mentioned above, Snowdon or one of the other Welsh peaks: Tryfan and Castle y Gwent . . . amazing places.

Have you thought of cycling? There are so many off road routes to choose from.

I cycled the Coast to Coast route on my 40th birthday.

I'm not convinced you have to go half way around the world to have a life changing experience.

Yes,lots of options here on our doorstep

hi Op how are you getting on. i would love to do the 3 peak challenge this year. . trying to build up my stamina for it. .all the best