It's Just Emotion Taking Me Over

"Traveling tends to magnify all human emotions." ~Peter Hoeg

Now that I was finally financially informed, getting into shape physically, medically prepared, and had picked a route and time of year to hike Kilimanjaro, I figured that all I had left to do is pack my bag and get on the plane. While this assumption wasn’t too far off, I was definitely missed one key step.

If you’re wondering what step I missed so that you don’t miss it, you’re in luck. As the point of this blog is to get you as prepared as possible for your Kilimanjaro adventure, I want to give you as much relevant information about my experience as I can. If I had a re-do for this trip, the one step I wouldn’t miss the second time around is preparing myself mentally and emotionally.

Most sources about trekking Kilimanjaro forget to tell you that while physically preparing is incredibly important, mentally preparing yourself is just as essential. 

On my hike, I experienced periods of intense emotional highs and lows unlike any other time in my life. During hours long treks that seemed unending, my mind reeled with boredom and lacked the motivational thoughts I needed to keep going. When I wasn’t sure I was going to reach the summit due to onset hypothermia (more on that in future posts!), I felt devastated and depressed unlike ever before. Upon reaching Uhuru Peak I was so elated, ecstatic, euphoric; it was the highest high, my proudest moment.

To an extent, the only thing that can truly prepare you for the emotional roller coaster you will ride is actually hiking Kilimanjaro. However, there are a few things you can do to ready your mind. Be excited. Be pumped up. Be thrilled for the adventure of a lifetime you’re about to have. Be wary of the journey ahead of you too. Be mindful of the challenges you will endure. Be aware that your journey will not be easy nor without obstacles. 

Expect to be frustrated. Expect to be frustrated with boredom. Expect to be frustrated by the people you are trekking with. Expect to be frustrated with your physical limitations as the human body can only be pushed so hard. Expect to laugh. Expect to laugh at your shortcomings. Expect to laugh when you falter. Expect to laugh with you new trekking friends over silly jokes and stories. Expect to laugh at Uhuru Peak while popping celebratory champagne and snapping photos of the most authentic smiles you’ve ever seen. Expect to laugh when all is said and done and there is nothing to do but laugh. Expect to cry. Expect to cry from disappointment. Expect to cry from pure bliss. Expect to cry because you’re overwhelmed with emotion. Expect to cry when the adventure is over and you step onto the plane to leave. 

More than anything, expect to feel more proud of yourself than you have ever felt in your whole life. Expect a sense of internal fulfillment and happiness that no one can ever take away from you. Expect all of these emotions and more, and you will be well on your way to being totally prepared for your Kilimanjaro adventure!