Mount Kilimanjaro

P1

Kibo

The Kilimanjaro ( Kilimanjaro also, Kilimanjaro or Mount Kilimanjaro, 1902-1964 Kaiser- Wilhelm- tip or tip Wilhelm ) is with 5895 meters above sea level the highest mountain in Africa. The massif has in northeastern Tanzania with the Kibo 's highest mountain on the African continent.

In 1987, the landscape of the UNESCO declared World Heritage Site.

• 4.1 Pre-colonial period
• 4.2 colonial
• 4.3 First ascent
• 4.4 Further pioneering work

• 6.1 Agriculture
• 6.2 Tourism

• 7.1 Marangu route
• 7.2 Other routes

Geography

About 350 km south of the equator is the Mount Kilimanjaro in northeastern Tanzania, about 500 km north- west of the city Dar Es Salaam and close to the Kenyan border ( Kenya's capital Nairobi is situated 200 km north-west. ). By the middle of Lake Victoria, there are almost 560 km to the northwest.

While the 750-1000 m high terrain gradually decreases to the Kilimanjaro to the east after the 2463 m high Pare Mountains to the Indian Ocean through, it goes over to the west and north into the mountain worlds and Highlands of Tanzania and Kenya, and south in the Maasai steppe. About 70 km south-west of the mountain stands the 4562 meter high Mount Meru on.

The highest peak of the massif, and thus the highest point in Africa is with 5895 meters of Kibo ( Uhuru Peak). From Batian, located in the Mount Kenya massif second highest mountain of the continent, the Kibo is located 325 km south. By Margherita peak in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park is 900 km to the northwest.

The massif covers an area of ​​approximately 80 × 60 km.

Geology

The Kilimanjaro is of volcanic origin. It is located on the eastern shoulder of the East African grave grave fault system. In connection with continental grave fractures usually consists of volcanic activity, which (often Manteldiapire ) and the resulting associated Lithosphärenausdünnung be justified with the rise of Asthenosphärenmaterial. In contrast to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which are crossed by mid-ocean ridges, the East African grave breach is not a plate boundary. However, a grave breach of continental represent the initial stage of breakup of continents.

On Kilimanjaro, which is about two to three million years old, probably the greatest eruption was about 360,000 years ago. Last to be broken in 1700 Kibo, since then remains the volcanic activity at a low level ( fumarole ), is by no means disappeared.

It is unclear why the ice of Kilimanjaro glacier no significant ash deposits of past eruptions were found. The outbreak of 1700 is considered to be no scientific evidence but comes from oral traditions of the Chagga, the move on the mountain. Mountaineers currently report repeatedly by strong sulfur smell in the Reusch Crater. The sulfur smell from the still active fumaroles of "Ash Pit " may occasionally be perceived depending on the wind direction also at Uhuru Peak.

Landscape

Besides glaciers home to the rocky mountains firn and snow fields, frost rubble deserts, numerous mountain streams and lush vegetation, which merges into the lower mountain regions in the primeval rainforest.

Highest summit

The Kilimanjaro consists of three main extinct volcanoes, the highest of the already mentioned Kibo ("The Light " ) is. The lying at 5895 m summit of Kibo is called Uhuru Peak. The summit plateau contains the 1.9 kilometers by 2.4 kilometers in size Kibo Crater. In this the Reusch Crater lies ( about 800 meters in diameter, up to 200 meters deep ), on the crater rim in turn is a small crater, the Inner Cone ( 5835 m).

About ten miles east of the Kibos and connected by a wide, averaging about 4300 m high saddle with this, the rocky, 5148 m high towers on Mawenzi ( " the Dark "), which has no glaciers. About one in the middle 3700 m high saddle of Kibo Shira ( 3962 m) is about 15 kilometers west reachable. The Shira is a plateau -like mountain, and also without glaciers.

Glacier

Although the Mount Kilimanjaro is located in the tropical - hot regions of the world, it is next to the Rwenzori Mountains and the barely glaciated Mount Kenya massif, which are also located in equatorial East Africa, the third glaciated Hochgebirgszug the continent.

The younger glaciation on Kilimanjaro is limited to the Kibo. Between 1912 and 2009, the ice cap of 12 km ² shrank to 1.85 km ², representing a loss of 85 % of the area. The main reason for this decline is a regionally drier climate since the late 19th century.

The often quoted by various media satellite photos from the years 1993 and 2000, which should illustrate the decrease is of glacial recession are, with respect only of limited significance. The 1993's photo shows the situation immediately after a fresh snow fall, while in the 2000s photo little snow can be seen. The striking difference between the two images is therefore based on the spatial extent of seasonal snow cover.

2009 included the glaciation glacier at the summit plateau and on the slopes of Kibo. At the summit plateau of the Northern and Southern Ice Field, the largest units, the eastern ice field with the Rebmann Glacier and Furtwängler of the glacier were significantly smaller formed. The slope glaciers were located primarily on the southern slopes of Kibo, also were still remnants of the once mighty glaciation on the western flank to see.

The overview of the development of the ice has been recently summarized new. It was found that the glacier area of 11.40 km2 shrank by 1912 to 1.76 km2 in 2011, which means a loss of 85 % in the last 100 years.

Climate

The typical climate in the region around the Kilimanjaro follows a distinct annual cycle of precipitation with two rainy seasons (March to May, October to December) and two dry seasons, with the small dry season (January and February ) in individual years can also be rainy. The mean monthly temperature at the base of the mountain reaches throughout the year more than 20 ° C. At the solid itself, the climate, especially in the vertical direction varies greatly, which is reflected in the sequence of different vegetation zones. The low-lying areas ( up to 3000 m) are wet, often shrouded in clouds and covered by lush rain forest vegetation. With the amount of growth is always barren, temperature and precipitation decrease. At Kibo summit plateau of the two rainy seasons are still pronounced, but the annual rainfall is only one tenth of those in the rainforest belt. The temperature rises even during the afternoon hours only rarely above freezing. This makes the peak area to a dry, icy environment.

Waters

On Kilimanjaro arise numerous mountain streams, such as those incurred in the glaciated peaks of Kibo and rushing through the dense forests, the mountain slopes down. They seek it in all directions from the massif. From the union of such partly torrential streams or small rivers arise later, the Pangani and the Galana.

Because of the steep mountain slopes there are at Kilimanjaro only small lakes. But is at its Südostfuß the Lake Chala (also called Dschalasee; 877 m, 4 km ² ) and a little further south is the Jipe Lake (707 m, 46 km ²). Both pond located on the border of Tanzania and Kenya. On Südwestfuß of the massif, already in Arusha National Park, lie the Momella lakes.

Flora

Below the glacier, snow and frost rubble deserts concurs in part to burgeoning lush grasslands, which turns into shrub land. In the south, the tree line extends up to a maximum altitude of 3500 m, the average for 2700 up to 3000 m above sea level.

Due to the hot and humid climate a unique flora has not only in the lower regions of the mountain world is developing in the primeval rain forest in which countless species of plants thrive with magnificent stature - they are usually larger than elsewhere. The rainforest is located 1400-3000 m altitude, maximum it reaches to 3300 m altitude. In the vicinity of the mountain giants there is grass and tree savannah and swamps.

For flora on Mount Kilimanjaro and in the vicinity include:

• Acacia
• Tree heath
• Ferns
• Weave
• Erika Shrubs - up to 10 m high
• Conifers
• Ragwort - 5 to 6 m high
• Lianas
• Lobelia
• Moose
• Olive trees
• Orchids
• Palms
• Giant Senecias
• Juniper
• Cedars

Fauna

The mountain world of the Kilimanjaro massif and its surrounding harbors a rich fauna.

Examples of mammals:

• Monkeys ( Olive Baboon, Black and white Colobus and Blue Monkey )
• African welts grass mice
• Buffalo
• Bushbuck
• Ducker

• Elephants - Inventory Development: 1197 (1976), 756 (1981), 1000 (1987), about 900 (1990)
• Hyenas
• Leopards
• Rhinos (probably still single black rhino )
• Giant Forest Hog
• Zebras

Examples of birds:

• Ducks
• Flamingos
• Geese
• Ibises
• Cuckoo species
• Pelicans
• Heron
• Storks
• Coot
• Migratory birds

Kilimanjaro National Park

The Kilimanjaro National Park, which was founded in 1973 and opened in 1977, includes Mount Kilimanjaro, which includes amongst others the rain forests and mountains Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira belong. Purpose of approximately 756 km ² national park is to protect the landscape and the flora and fauna of Kilimanjaro and preserve it for the future. The park is located at 1800-5895 m above sea level; the annual rainfall varies from 2300 mm in the lower layers up to 4600 mm in the higher mountain forest.

A few kilometers east on Kenyan soil of Tsavo West National Park with its many large animal species. Immediately to the west of the park is the Arusha National Park. Further to the west, between Mount Kilimanjaro and Lake Victoria - more towards the lake - is located in the Serengeti Serengeti National Park with the great Ngorongoro Crater and its rich flora and fauna.

History

Pre-colonial period

By 100 AD, reported the Greek astronomer and geographer Ptolemy from a high, snow-capped mountain in the middle of Africa. About 1,000 years later another customer of such a mountain, this time by Chinese commercial travelers.

A detailed report by the Spanish in 1519 was not taken seriously in Europe and was forgotten.

It was not until 11 May 1848, a European, a native of Gerlingen German missionary, geographer and linguist Johannes Rebmann, stood in front of the Kilimanjaro and reported by the overwhelming sight of snow mountain in Europe, the mountain entered the wider public consciousness. Rebmann but not referred to himself as its discoverer, as he repeatedly secure customer had already of the mountain from the stories of Africans. Rebmann, who worked from 1846 to 1875 without interruption in East Africa, bored 1848/1849 three times at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. While the English cartographers his report of the snow mountain because of its proximity to the equator for decades did not believe, he received from the Geographical Society in Paris a medal of honor. At the height of which he to have measured without showing off about 3800 m, Rebmann but very misjudged. From him the name of the mountain range and the names of most of the peaks, which named him its African companions come.

Colonial

During the colonial occupation by Germany in the period 1885-1918, this mountain range was the highest mountains of the German Reich. The first climbers Hans Meyer baptized the Kibo as the highest mountain in the German Kaiser Wilhelm peak around. In its day, built mountain huts were given German names like Bismarck or Peters Hut. The Hanover section of the German and Austrian Alpine Association planned in the early 20th century to build a mountain hut between Mawenzi and Kibo to the 4900 m height. The required building materials had been already transported to the construction site. However, the beginning of the First World War prevented the construction of the highest situated hut of the Alpine Club.

First ascent

Already in 1861 and 1862, the German explorer Karl Klaus had ventured from the ceiling at an ascent of the mountain, reaching a height of only 4280 meters. The next documented ascent attempts have been made by the missionary Charles New on 14 and 26 August 1871 in the company of a servant and a Chagga guide the snowline reached at the second attempt on 28 August, before he had to turn back. 1872 reports on the unsuccessful business venture in a publication of the Royal Geographical Society.

The first climbers were the Leipzig climber, geographer and researcher Hans Meyer, the Austrian mountaineer Ludwig Purtscheller and as a mountain guide Yohani Kinyala Lauwo who reached the summit after two failed attempts Erstbesteigungs of 1887 and 1888 on 6 October 1889.

Meyer took a rock sample of black lava rock from the central peak of Kibo and brought it by ship to Germany to hand it over to Wilhelm II as a symbol of taking possession of the massif by Germany. This was in 1890 to process the boulder with other stones to a decoration piece. This artwork can be seen today in the Shell Hall of the New Palace in Potsdam.

Other firsts

Take the first exit on skis: 1912 Walther were Furtwängler and Siegfried king after their third summit ascent the first who went down on skis from the Kibo summit.

First flight: On January 8, 1930 Walter Mittelholzerstrasse flew over the first Kilimanjaro. He made, among others, from about 6200 meters altitude aerial photographs of the crater of Kibo, which were published in magazines and created a great stir.

First Live TV Broadcast: On July 21, 2008, a team of reporters ARD made ​​with German mountaineers from Marangu Gate on the way. Four days later they reached the Gilman 's Point and Uhuru Peak. The world's first live broadcast from Kilimanjaro succeeded. The directing and transmitting equipment was stationed about 2,000 meters deep at the Horombo Hut.

Population and cities

In the settlements and towns on and around the Mount Kilimanjaro, the Chagga, particularly from agriculture, but some also live on tourism live.

Cities in the region are:

• Arusha - Large city 80 km southwest of the massif; 50 km east of the city has an international airport.
• Marangu - City on the massif, about 25 km from Moshi; ideal starting point for mountain tours on the Marangu route
• Moshi - city on the massif Regional Airport

Economy

Agriculture

The economy of Kilimanjaro massif is still dominated by agriculture, so that the local Chagga mostly live on agriculture and plantations and livestock. Are grown under other bananas, coffee, corn, wheat and sisal.

Tourism

The region around the Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is popular with tourists and nature lovers great popularity. Many tourists come to mountain climbing at Mount Kilimanjaro.

The little south of the massif located Moshi offers a variety of tourist facilities. West south-west of the massif and about 30 km of the town is located in the direction of the neighboring town of Arusha Kilimanjaro International Airport, from where tourists can get to the example in the Kilimanjaro and Serengeti National Park.

Mountaineering

The ascent of Kibo or Uhuru Peak offers the climber only minor technical difficulties, which is why despite the great physical effort, more and more people attempt a climb. Was it the mid-1990s still about 15,000 a year, this number had risen about ten years later to 25,000. Among them are many who have never before taken a multi-day march. However, due to the associated high altitude decrease of the oxygen partial pressure, it often comes to altitude sickness, so that due to the physical efforts, only about half of all peaks aspirant reaches the highest point. On top of the oxygen partial pressure is only about half as great as at sea level. Addition, there are sudden weather changes and significant temperature differences from the foot of the mountain where the thermometer shows regularly above 30 ° C, and its summit, where the temperature can drop below -20 ° C. With the wind chill factor wind chill can be even deeper.

The Ascension, for five to seven days should be scheduled due to the adaptation to the mountain climate is chargeable, also the appointment of a Chagga guide, as well as the employment of local support is required. The fee in 2008 was $ 650 per person and is payable at the gate at the entrance to the national park. More 170-250 dollars come for the leader and the carrier added. For tips the National Park Service has announced non-binding recommended prices. These are per day at $ 8 per carrier and U.S. $ 15 per guide. Cook and auxiliary cooks are located in the area between. Come on every tourist, depending on the organization, 2-5 carriers (including guides and cook).

Marangu route

During the five routes Mweka, Umbwe, Lemosho, Shira and Rongai committed rare, the Marangu and Machame much greater demand enjoying. The most committed, according to statistics Park Marangu route (so-called " Coca -Cola route" ), which runs to the southeast of Mount Kilimanjaro massif, offers the only route overnight in huts instead of tents and has a contingent of max. 70 guests on each day.

The Marangu route starts on the southern slopes of the mighty massif and results initially in a northerly direction through Marangu ( Marangu gate; 1980 m ), which is often driven as a starting point for mountain tours, and through the rain forest to Bismarck Hut ( Mandara Hut, 2682 m). Next we come - above the tree line - by the beginning of lush sprouting grass and shrub land in the northwest ascending the Petershütte ( Horombo Hut, 3719 m) ​​, which is located about 5 km south of Mawenzi. From there you get into always becomes thinner air on the 4300m high saddle, on the one to the west by the frost rubble desert running for 1932 ( the first time ) built Kibohütte ( Kibo Hut, 4694 m) is on the eastern flank of Kibo. From there you can reach after 987 m and a maximum of 6 hours steep uphill through numerous switchbacks and through a boulder landscape just a few kilometers away Gilman 's Point (according to the inscription of a shield placed there 5681 m) on the rim of the Kibo Crater. Ultimately, it runs on the southern crater rim further 214 m up and reached Uhuru Peak ( 5895 m ) above Kibo summit.

After a total of 55 km march standing on the crater rim of Kibo, from which can be seen from large parts of Tanzania and Kenya - if the partly unpredictable weather permitting. For example, one can see the Mount Meru ( 4562 m), often rising above the clouds and around 70 km away.

More routes

On the Kilimanjaro lead in addition to the just explained Marangu route even more paths, but are among the most difficult routes. Among others are:

• Barafu route - steep part of the route or via the Barafu Hut (4600 m) to Kibo
• Lemosho Route - starting point Londorossi (2250 m)
• Machame Route - Machame starting point (1800 m)
• Mweka Route - starting point Mweka ( 1,700 m )
• Rongai or Kikelewa Route - starting point Nalemoru (2020 m)
• Shira Route - starting point Londorossi (2250 m)
• Umbwe - starting point Umbwe (1700 m)
• Western Breach route - steep part of the route and pass the Lava Tower (4600 m) to Kibo
• Thomas Glacier Route - Route leads through the glaciers of the Northern Ice Field - first ascent 28-29. October 2009

Current Research

Among others, the University of Bayreuth has been operating for many years a scientific research station on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is primarily devoted to the study of the flora and the distribution of precipitation in the rainforest belt. In recent years, unique data on the climate history of the last thousand years was collected by Glazialkerne ( ice cores ). The Universities of Innsbruck and Massachusetts lead since 2002 along a climate research project with the aim to understand the climatological reasons the glaciers retreated.

A recent study by scientists at the University of Washington (USA) and the University of Innsbruck suggests that the shrinking of the ice cap of Mount Kilimanjaro is not due to global warming, but is caused by a period of great humidity since the end of the 19th century.

Reception in literature and art

At the foot of Mount Ernest Hemingway wrote his novella The Snows of Kilimanjaro ( The Snows of Kilimanjaro ), which was filmed in 1952 by Henry King as The Snows of Kilimanjaro. With Gregory Peck, Susan Hayward, Ava Gardner and Hildegard Knef in the lead roles, the film was a Hollywood classic.

Pascal Danel 1966 had a No. 1 hit with the song Kilimanjaro ( Les Neiges du Kilimanjaro also called ).

Kilimanjaro can be seen on a banknote to 2000 Tanzanian Shilling.

Swell