BY DANIEL STONE PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRISTIAN PONDELLA
‘I THINK THE BIGGEST
FACTOR IN STAYING SAFE
ISN’T HOW STRONG YOU ARE,
BUT HOW WELL YOU LISTEN
TO THE ENVIRONMENT.’
—Will GaddGETTING THERESIX MONTHS OUT
GETTING IN
SHAPE
Any attempt on this
mountain requires seri-
ous physical and mental
preparation. To build fit-
ness, starting at least half
a year in advance, Gadd
suggests daily weight and
cardio workouts paired
with a diet of whole
foods and lean red meat.
During training climbs, he
advises, explorers should
be alert to warning signs
like sustained winds or
impending rain.TWO WEEKS OUT
ESSENTIAL
PACKING LIST
High-quality gear is the
key to both enjoying ice
climbs and surviving them,
Gadd says. He’s adamant
about taking the following:- Sharp crampons that
attach securely to boots - Handheld ice claws
- A helmet, in case you fall
or ice falls on you - Gloves that are flexible
and warm - A jacket that repels
water and blocks wind - Rope and safety harness:
“Never skimp on these.”
DAY BEFORE
READY FOR
LAUNCH
Respect the porters with
you on this climb: They’re
likely dealing with the
same altitude sickness that
you are. When you arrive
at the starting point, take
an honest assessment of
conditions. Is there too
much wind? What’s the
likelihood of rain? Climb-
ing mountains and glaciers
is dangerous even in the
best of circumstances, so
don’t push ahead in sub-
par conditions, Gadd says.ON KILIMANJARO, MOST CLIMBERS go straight for the Tanzanian mountain’s
famous summit. But those who take the more dangerous western route
have found glaciers up to 100 feet tall. These ancient frozen masses are
tropical anomalies—ice doesn’t often last long near the Equator. The sun’s
rays cause the foot of a glacier to melt first, leading to calving, breakaways,
and, sometimes, stand-alone towers of ice (pictured at left). Kilimanjaro’s
ice climbing can be some of the best on Earth, says climber Will Gadd. One
reason to go soon: These glaciers—like glaciers everywhere—are melting.A VANISHING ADVENTURE
FEBRUARY 2020 31