Kili - Lemosho or Rongai route

Husband and I plan to trek Kili on mid September. We are deliberating on whether to undertake the Rongai or Lemosho route. Soem information we have suggests that whilst Rongai is overall easier, the summit day is harder compared with the Lemosho route. Any advice from people who have trekked either route would be greatly appreciated.

Also interested in peoples' views on trekking with poles. We have trekked in the Andes and Himalayas without poles but have heard they are useful for Kili.

I'm going in March and will take poles with me. Friends who have do so tell me they are VERY helpful esp. on the descent .

I'm doing either the Machame or Shira rte

I never walk anywhere any more w/o spring-loaded poles (Leki)

Kalki - I am doing the Rongai route in a few weeks. Check in the Africa branch in mid-February, I will post a trip report.

As I understand the need for poles is that the descent is steep scree and thus the poles come in very handy. Also, most companies won't let you on the mountain without the poles, and thus they are "required."

Enjoy.

I did the rongai route and found the summit day quite hard but im an unfit bastard. The rongai summit day is just never-ending scree switchbacks, with some mild rock hopping near the top. Nothing technical. I imagine it will be difficult to find people who have climbed two routes and can compare the difference.

Thats bullshit about the poles, comapnies will let u on the mounatin without poles. Personally I dont like poles. Apologies to my friends in Warsaw.

I did the Lemosho route Sept 04 and it was fantastic. The drive to the trailhead is rough and dusty but the walk itself was really enjoyable. The Lemosho route joins up with the Machame route after a couple of days, so the first couple of days are relatively quiet with not many people. Once the route joins Machame the traffic increases considerably. I haven't done the Rongai so I can't compare.

I took trekking poles and they were of some benefit on summit night (I only ever used 1 at a time though because I underestimated the cold on summit night and had to keep one hand stuffed in a pocket to keep it warm while the hand holding the pole slowly froze. I then alternated hands every 10min or so. Make sure your gloves/mitts are warm enough!) Most of the time though I kept the poles stowed on my pack. Honestly I am not a big fan of poles and I'm sure I would've made the summit if I hadn't used them. They were of some use on the descent. They were certainly not 'required' with the company I went with.

I like poles, mostly for the descent, but also for keeping a "rhythm" while hiking at high altitude, and for keeping my hands elevated, which prevents bloating.

I did the Lemosho route and thought itwas great, but it's longer, so more days on the mountain, so more expensive.

Here's an old thread with info on different routes: kili routes