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Mt. Kilimanjaro, sitting at 19,340 feet in Northern Tanzania, is the highest point on the African continent. The name itself conjures images of awe and inspiration. The mountain is the highest freestanding peak in the world, and the massif is 60 kilometers long and 40 kilometers wide. In 1989 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kilimanjaro is also now one of the most popular mountains in the world. Since the mountain was first "discovered" by Europeans in 1848, it has been a regular destination for climbers eager to conquer Africa's highest summit. From July 2001 through June 2002 there were 25,450 registered climbers on Kilimanjaro.
The second most popular route is the Machame route, which saw 41% of the climbers in the same 12-month period. The route is supposed to provide more of a wilderness experience, and thus has no huts - all climbers, guides, and porters must camp. Most porters had been sleeping in caves until the last year, when regulations required that all tour operators provide tents for porters to sleep in. Since 1991 the Kilimanjaro National Park (KILNAPO) has required that all climbers hire a guide and porters. According to KILNAPO there are about 2.5 porters for each climber, meaning there were over 61,000 "porter climbs" during the last year. Regulations require that porters carry no more than 18kg for climbers, plus 7kg of their own equipment (total of 25kg). Most carry the gear in large duffels or metal containers (for food), usually balanced on their heads, the traditional way of carrying loads in Tanzania. Although the Kilimanjaro National park sets minimum pay at $5/day for the Marangu route and $6/day for the Machame route, actual wages can vary depending on the tour operator, porter food costs, and guides. Some porters only earn $1-$3 per day. Many depend on tips to earn any money. As in Nepal, porters on Kilimanjaro are seldom properly outfitted for their climb. Many companies provide neither clothing nor tents for their porters, who are often forced to congregate at night in caves to stay warm. In order to do their job carrying loads for visiting climbers, Kilimanjaro porters often suffer from altitude sickness, hypothermia, and injuries. The Himalayan Explorers Connection (IMEC), the International Porter Protection Group (IPPG), and Porters' Progress have been working together over the last two years to develop a clothing-lending program in Nepal. Donated clothing has been loaned to over 1,000 porters in the Himalayan region of Nepal. This clothing has helped porters stave off frostbite, hypothermia, and perhaps even death. Now, IMEC and IPPG are working to develop a clothing bank to help the porters that climb the African peak as well. "With the success of the IMEC Porter Assistance Project in Nepal we felt that expanding this program to help porters all around the world was the logical next step," says Scott Dimetrosky, Executive Director of IMEC. Local Tanzanian resident Donovan Pacholl is working with IPPG's East African representative Bobby McKenna to determine the best policies, locations, and programs for a clothing bank, which is expected to be open for the December 2002 climbing season. The IMEC has also established an advisory board to assist with program policy. IMEC longtime guide Pemba Sherpa, of Sherpa Ascents International, is also organizing a climb of the mountain in January 2003. This trek will introduce IMEC members to the area, and the proceeds will help finance the Kilimanjaro porter clothing bank. Please contact us for more information. This program in Africa represents
a major shift for the Himalayan Explorers Connection. Past IMEC activities
have been focused exclusively on the Himalayan region. We welcome feedback
on this change from IMEC members and supporters. If you have any questions,
comments, or advice, please let us know. IMEC's Nepal Porter Assistance
Project has succeeded due to donations of equipment, volunteer time, and
financial contributions. We are still in need of money to run the program
in Africa. Please help by contributing to this and the other IMEC
Porter Assistance Projects around the world. Your donation is tax-deductible,
contact ken@hec.org to learn more. If
you live in Boulder, CO or Portland, OR and can carry an extra bag over
to Tanzania, please contact
ken@hec.org.
Heading over to Kilimanjaro soon and live in Denver/Boulder, Portland (OR), or Seattle? We currently have a backlog of equipment that we need send over. Please contact us at 303-998-0101 if you can help carry a duffel bag. All couriers get a free IMEC hat or tshirt as a thank you.
*Those with a star have made major donations of equipment to the project And a special thanks to our corporate sponsors, including:
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