The Snows of Mount Kilimanjaro
The Snows of Mount Kilimanjaro : Tanzania is a finest location for holiday travellers as briefly featured by the Royal Tour; yes, one of the finest documentary which features the president of Tanzania, Hon. Samia Suluhu. It documents the majestic resources and attractions for Tanzania safari adventures. Some of these resource is the spectacular mount. In the Kilimanjaro region which is located in the northern Tanzania stands the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. This extraordinary volcanic mountain is also the world’s tallest freestanding mountain. This huge volcano alongside with other spectacular attractions like Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and the finest sandy beaches along the Tanzanian coasts, attracts large number of visitors from nearly all corners of this world to go for a Tanzania safari tours.
Most tourists reaching at Kilimanjaro Mountain are mostly interested in climbing and trekking this magical mount to its summit. Yes, one of the Seven Summits in the world. Wondrously, the peak of this gorgeous mount is snow-capped. This means the summit is at very low temperatures making it possible for snows and glaciers to exist. Snows give some superb and brilliant scenes to visitors who made it to the top of the African highest peak.
The Snow-Capped Summit.
Mount Kilimanjaro is famously known for having three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. The summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Kibo is at 5895 meters high and it is snowbound throughout the year. This has made Kilimanjaro to be challenging peak for trekkers and mountain climbers because it is very cold at the summit. In the mid-19th century, different climbers, missionaries and adventurers tried their best to climb to the summit without success due to accumulation of snows and glaciers as one ascends to the summit. However, the German geographer, Dr. Hans Meyer succeeded to reach the summit in 1889. According to researchers, Mount Kilimanjaro has lost about 80% of its original snow due to climate change. Recent climbers can go for a 5-day to 9-day climb to the summit. However, only 75% of the climbers make it to the summit. The snow is still a challenge to some newbies who are less adapted to high altitudes and very low temperatures. Mount Meru, a little brother of Kilimanjaro is an excellent place for acclimatization for those who are not exposed to high altitudes. Newbies always practice hiking and climbing up to the top of summit of Mount Meru which is at 4566 meters above the sea level.
How is snow formed?
Snow is formed by precipitation (rain) and freezing temperatures. The rain falls in the tropics and cold falls at altitude causing the snow to be formed. The summit of the Mount Kilimanjaro is high up to about 19384 feet and the high you go the possibility of snow to be formed increases. There is a 60-degree drop from Kilimanjaro’s elevation above the sea level because as height rises, temperature drops. The expected temperatures of the Kilimanjaro’s peak which is at 5895 metres above the sea level is -8.9 Celsius degrees. Therefore, almost all tallest mountains have snow at the top. However, the snows of the Mount Kilimanjaro are magical and incredible to watch.
Nowadays, Mount Kilimanjaro continue to build up its snow that was reported by prominent researchers. Forecasts predicted that the snow of Mount Kilimanjaro will be permanently lost by 2040 due to climate changes and human activities. However, the mountain is slowly rebuilding up, creating hopes for environmentalists and lovers of nature who really enjoy the scenes of Mount Kilimanjaro in white cap. Climate changes and global warming are minimally affected the thickness of the layers of the snow and glaciers that are continuing to be thinner and thinner.
What to expect?
Mount Kilimanjaro snow gives brilliant vision for trekkers and distant watchers. You will always spot a clear scene of Mount Kilimanjaro with a white hat. Taking a heroic picture of you and the stunning snows and glaciers of the African tallest mountain is an unforgettable story worth an article or narration to your loved ones.
Mountain Kilimanjaro national park is one among many natural wonders left in this world. It is beautiful and it attracts large ecosystems. Therefore, by knowing its importance in our ecosystem we can do our best to protect it. As a visitor you can do this by doing ecotourism and not throwing litters when you are on your climbing trip.
The Snows of Kilimanjaro short story
This is a short story by American author Ernest Hemingway which was firstly published in August 1936 in Esquire magazine. It was then republished in The Fifth Column and the First Forty-Nine Stories in 1938, The Snows of Kilimanjaro and Other Stories in 1961 and is included in The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway: The Finca Vigia Edition (1987). This story highlights the beauty of the snow of Mount Kilimanjaro. It may interest you the way a great author like Hemingway used his creative language to describe the magnificent tales of the snow of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Tanzania is merely wonderful safari destination for tourists coming from different corners of the world. Apart from learning more about the snows of Mount Kilimanjaro and the tales of these stunning glaciers, you can also explore other superb attractions found inside Kilimanjaro National Park, some of which include wildlife like elephants, antelopes, baboons and buffalos. You can also book a trip to other neighbouring Tanzania safari destinations and of course you won’t regret having it. Some splendid destinations close to the Mount Kilimanjaro include the national parks like Serengeti, Tarangire, Arusha and Lake Manyara, small volcanoes like Oldonyo Lengai, Ngorongoro Crater as well as exploring the cultural and traditional practices of the world famous Maasai tribe living in their bomas.
Planning a Tanzania safari trip has been a very easy process and it may take half an hour only. Updated brochures and guidelines are always available in the websites and social Medias of many tour operators. It is simple, pick a good Tanzania safari operator and he will organize your safari before even landing in Tanzania and enjoy the magical Mother Nature of this country. Good luck!
