Title for Climb FAQs

Yes, but beyond the skills you needed for Kilimanjaro, you must have experience of using ice axe and crampons in winter conditions. You can get his on our Scottish or Alpine Introductory courses. You must be prepared physically and mentally for a challenge that is immeasurably harder than Kilimanjaro. You will have to endure one of the hardest mountaineering days in order to reach the summit, on ever steepening ground to almost 7,000 metres above sea-level.

Walking up and down Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in under 4½ hours is a good starting point to aim for. Regular walking in the British hills plus endurance efforts when cycling or running beforehand is recommended for everyone.

Endurance efforts - running, cycling or swimming during the week. Walk in the hills as much as you can at weekends. Take a light rucksack initially but, as your legs get stronger, increase this to between 8 and 12Kg (adjust relative to your own bodyweight). Walk for 6 to 8 hours a day, preferably tackling high summits on consecutive days. Advice can be found here.

Most of our climbing expeditions are led by hand-picked, trusted and experienced mountaineers normally from the UK, or other western countries. Where appropriate, and local qualifications are reliable, we select local mountain guides to lead our expeditions – this is particularly the case in South America and for some of our climbing expeditions in Nepal. Please see: Leadership

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a non-fatal but unpleasant condition, typically of headache, nausea, poor appetite, dizziness, poor sleep and overall malaise.  It is rare below 2,500-metres but common above 3,000-metres, especially when people go too high, too quickly.

We aim to reduce AMS by ascending slowly, especially on those trips that attract people who have not been to high altitude before.

We publish acclimatisation profiles and risk assessments for most trips on our website, showing our daily altitude gains.

Diamox is a drug that lessens AMS symptoms and assists acclimatisation. It does not mask symptoms (unlike other drugs that may be used to treat more severe forms of altitude illness).

Diamox can have unpleasant side-effects. Some people might be allergic to it.  If you are considering taking it, based on previous poor acclimatisation or on the altitude profile of the trip, please consult your GP. You and your GP may find this article useful.