Climbing Kilimanjaro, "Kmart Style”

[frank_in_oz]

I just read this article by Doug Lansky abouit how he did the Kmart version of climbing Mt Kilimanjaro.

I found it pretty amusing ,especially when you think about the serious gear discussion we have here on the Forum.

A couple of Doug's quotes that amused me were:

The major difference between me and the thousands of other tourists who attempt to climb this 19,340-foot mountain each year (aside from knowing how to spell the word”vesicle”), is that I was foolish enough to attempt it in rented hiking boots.

After a quick meal, I climbed into my sleeping bag, which was perfect . . . for a seven-year-old. It came up to my stomach. And that’s only when it was half unzipped so I could squeeze my waist in

After a muddy, three-hour limp to the bottom the following day, we were met by park rangers at the gate selling”Just Did It” T-shirts. It occurred to me that these were the first rangers I’d seen since I paid the $375 park entry fee six days before. Usage of the fees didn’t seem to extend more than five inches into the park.

The full story is here: http://www.tourtanzania.com/?p=81

[Steve]

Hahaha, best read I've had in months.

Doug Lansky = Legend

[Kainas]

I liked:

I slept in my hat, gloves, scarf, and jacket and still managed to freeze. Around 2 a.m., I cuddled up to Jason, praying he wouldn’t wake up and notice.

[dashanep]

My name id Dasha and I am going to hike Kili 0n 20.02.2009.
Cold weather and freezing temperatures will be a big problem for me. Your story does not give me more confidence, hopefully I will make it.
Did you rich the TOP? And with which company did you go?Dasha