Mount Kilimanjaro Summit | Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering
Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, is the highest point in Africa at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level, located on the crater rim of the dormant Kibo volcano. As the world’s highest free-standing mountain, it is a non-technical hike, though it poses significant challenges due to severe altitude, cold, and rapid ascent, usually requiring 7-9 hours to reach from the final camp.
The Unveiling of Kilimanjaro’s Top Secrets
Photos of the Kilimanjaro summit typically show weary but elated climbers posing for pictures and high-fiving in front of the Uhuru Peak sign, commemorating their incredible accomplishment.
At the peak of this majestic mountain, though, you’ll find much more than just a signboard.
What, therefore, distinguishes the peak of Kilimanjaro from any other mountain? What makes it special? Continue reading to uncover the mysteries that await you atop this majestic mountain.
Mount Kilimanjaro Summit
Kilimanjaro is a volcano crater, where the summit is not a peak but rather the highest point on the crater rim, in contrast to mountains like Everest that are part of a mountain range and have a real ‘peak’ at the top, which is typically a short, narrow portion of rock.
The dormant volcano Kibo, which is located at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, namely Uhuru peak, last erupted around 200,000 years ago, creating the crater that is visible today. The surrounding cone of the caldera is nearly perfectly symmetrical.
Sulphurous vapours still billow out of the mountain, reminding us of its volcanic past, from the Reusch Ash Pit, an inner crater or ash pit inside the caldera that is considered the volcano’s real center.
Looking at images of Kilimanjaro from different eras reveals that the glaciers are melting, which was evident when huge glaciers formed in this caldera during the previous ice age and once covered the whole summit of Kibo.
However, it should not be overlooked that the current glaciers are still quite remarkable! Standing out against the desolate rocks and scree of this hostile landscape are gigantic ice formations that sparkle in the sunlight.