Must Read Topics
Share Your Opinions & Stories
- Climber Community | Share your own experience or Read what other climbers have to say.
- Outfitter Reviews | Post your opinion about an outfitter or recommend we list a new one.
Hot Topics
Altitude altitude sickness Attitude Climber Community climbing climbing routes concert contest Cost Culture Equipment fund raising gear Geology Helping Out History hypothermia lemosho Life Changing Experience Maasai machame Malaria marangu outfitter outfitters photo planning Porters rongai Routes Safari Safety seasons Serengeti shira success rate summit Tanzania training travel umbwe Weather western breach WildlifeFollow Us On
Recently an outfitter put out a press release about their 95% success rate in getting clients to the summit. I have to say, my initial reaction was not positive. When outfitters promote a success rate as the biggest reason to book with them people start getting summit fever and stop thinking about what's really important, safety!
I took a mountaineering course on Mt. Shasta in the past with Sierra Wilderness Seminars and our guide and instructor Stephan made it very clear, our #1 priority was to get down safely. "The summit is back at the parking lot." he kept reminding us. Even the greatest American mountaineers of all time, Ed Viesturs, focuses on safety with his own mantra. “Reaching the summit is optional. Getting down is mandatory.”
So when evaluating a potential outfitter, the first thing to look into is safety. How many porters will be with you? How well trained is our guide? What kind of safety equipment do they bring? How many days is the climb?
In the end, one of the reasons this particular outfitter has such a high success rate is because they take several extra days to make sure clients acclimate properly before attempting the summit. With so many other outfitters trying to rush clients up and down, it's refreshing to see an outfitter taking their time. As they say in Tanzania, "polepole," Go slowly. Enjoy the adventure of a lifetime. Even if you add a few extra days, it will all fly by very quickly.
This entry was posted in Safety and tagged outfitters, Safety, success rate. Bookmark the permalink. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.
