Yesterday in the early hours, a Shenyang mountaineering team composed of eight climbing enthusiasts set off from Beijing to begin their journey to summit Africa’s highest peak—Mount Kilimanjaro. They transferred flights in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, yesterday afternoon Beijing time, paused for four hours, and then flew directly to Kilimanjaro Airport in Tanzania. Afterward, they took a jeep to the first rest camp at the foot of the mountain—Moshi Town—to prepare for the challenge of conquering Mount Kilimanjaro. Before departure, the team leader and guide Wang Yong displayed the flag of the “Shenyang Daily,” which he and his teammates will take to the summit of Kilimanjaro.
Heading Toward the “Shining Mountain”
Mount Kilimanjaro means “shining mountain” in the local language, a fitting description for this towering volcano and its magnificent summit. Its outline is very distinct, with gently sloping ramps leading to a long, flat summit. On hot days, the blue base of the mountain is a pleasant sight from afar, while the snow-capped peak seems to hover in the sky. The often-present wispy clouds that stretch down below the snow line add to this illusion.
The most notable feature of Mount Kilimanjaro is its dramatic climate and temperature variations. Temperatures at the mountain’s base can sometimes reach 59 degrees Celsius, while the summit often plunges to minus 34 degrees Celsius, earning it the title “Equatorial Snow Peak.” Over the past centuries, Kilimanjaro has been a mysterious mountain—few truly believed that such a snow-covered peak could exist near the equator.
Located on the border between Tanzania and Kenya, Mount Kilimanjaro stands at an elevation of 5,895 meters. This marks the first time the Shenyang Mountaineering Association has organized a team to tackle a high-altitude peak in the world. Sun Yiquan, president of the Shenyang Mountaineering Association, said: “Summiting Africa’s highest peak is a milestone event for both the Shenyang Mountaineering Association and the entire amateur mountaineering scene in Shenyang.”
Packing for “Three Seasons”
Over the past half month, the eight team members arrived in Beijing one after another to undergo pre-Africa entry quarantine and medical checkups, as well as to purchase and stock up on supplies. In the early hours of yesterday, Wang Yong told reporters before departure that their luggage consisted of over 20 large packs.
A significant portion of their luggage was taken up by equipment and gear. “The climate on Mount Kilimanjaro changes drastically—from the base to the summit, we’ll experience three seasons: summer, autumn, and winter. We need to prepare both heatstroke and anti-mosquito medications as well as cold-weather clothing. April is the rainy season on Kilimanjaro, so in dense jungle areas during the climb, we’ll need waterproof and breathable jackets, as well as professional non-slip hiking boots. When we make our final push toward the summit, we’ll switch to down jackets and pants to withstand the bitter cold.” Additionally, they will carry professional outdoor gear such as tents and sleeping bags, along with safety and communication equipment.
Over the past half month, Wang Yong also prepared essential food for the team. He said: “For climbers, high-calorie foods like chocolate and beef jerky are essential, and we also need some instant foods like compressed biscuits for emergencies. But that’s not enough—we’ve also hired a professional ‘high-altitude chef’ locally who will prepare meals for us and cook both Chinese and Western dishes at the base camp.”
Final Hike to Summit Expected on the 9th
Sun Yiquan told reporters: “As Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro has a certain level of climbing difficulty, but relatively speaking, it has a high safety factor. In terms of climate, it’s not an extremely cold region. In April, the weather and wind conditions on Kilimanjaro are suitable for climbing, with wind speeds averaging around 20 kilometers per hour. More importantly, the mountain is stable, with few landslides or falling rocks, and below 4,800 meters, there’s plenty of vegetation and oxygen, making it ideal for the team to make final physical adjustments and recover their stamina before the summit push.”
According to the plan, Wang Yong and his teammates will begin their final summit push from the last base camp—Mawenzi Camp at an altitude of 4,670 meters—in the early hours of April 9th Beijing time. “Under normal circumstances, at our average speed, the summit time will take about 8 to 9 hours, and we expect to reach the summit around 10:30 a.m. Beijing time on the 9th. The descent will take about 4 to 5 hours.”
Supporting the Shenyang Mountaineering Team’s Kilimanjaro summit attempt is a local professional team. In addition to the aforementioned high-altitude chef, there are also local guides. Among them, Wang Yong not only serves as the team leader but will also take on the role of translator.