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(+254) 742-974-349Health Check Before Trekking Mount Kenya
Pre-Trek Medical Check
Before going on a trek up Mount Kenya it’s important to get a medical check from your family or home doctor. A basic check-up will ensure your fitness levels are adequate, and your overall health is up to the challenges of the mountain climb.
High altitude trekking has its own set of risks. Climbing Mount Kenya is an active, challenging journey and you need to be aware of how any existing injuries or medical conditions may be affected by the altitude and the terrain.
Taking a basic medical examination can also reveal any unknown issues, such as high blood pressure, respiratory problems (asthma) or heart conditions that you weren’t aware of, but could have an effect on your ability to climb.
Here at Climbing Mount Kenya, we take your health & safety very seriously. We ask you to fill in a medical form prior to your climb so our guides have an accurate picture of your overall condition, and are aware of any health risks, problems or injuries you might have. If we see something on your medical checklist that needs further clarification, we may ask for a doctor’s report. But in most cases, this isn’t necessary.
Emergency situations can, and do, occur on the mountain and knowing how to react to them can be crucial in times of distress. It’s important that we are aware of any details that could put at risk the trekking journey or pose a problem for you at high altitude.
Existing injuries can be made worse by the trek. 4-6 hours of hiking per day can be hard on your back and joints. The downhill sections are particularly tough on the knees.
Mountain Climbing Regular Prescriptions & Medications
Some prescription medications can have adverse effects at high mountain altitudes. Your doctor will advise whether your regular medication is suitable for the mountain environment, and elsewhere our guides will need to know what medication you’re taking.
If you are planning to take Diamox to help acclimatization, you’ll need to get a prescription and your doctor will need to assess whether there are any potential adverse interactions with your existing medication or medical issues.
Climbing Mount Kenya Age Restrictions
The minimum age for climbing Mount Kenya is 10 years old. Younger children have made it to the summit but this requires special permits from the park’s authority. There is no maximum age limit. For climbers under 18 and over 65, we require a doctor to sign-off on their fitness for the trekking challenge.
Mount Kenya Trekking Guide
Explore the lakes and tarns along the climbing routes
Asthma & Mountain Climbing
All climbers with a medical history of asthma, including a childhood history, must be checked by their physician before hiking Mount Kenya. If you do suffer from asthma, it needs to be stable and easily controlled.
The atmospheric conditions on the mountain can exacerbate asthma, even if it’s been stable for years. The dry air, lack of oxygen, and mountain dust can aggravate the respiratory system, and combined with the strain of high-altitude climbing lead to asthma attacks.
Your doctor should also screen all medication for interactions with Diamox (acetazolamide), dexamethasone (used in the treatment of altitude sickness) and routine antibiotics.