Hiking Kilimanjaro: 19,000 Feet of Determination

Heidi Mischel is an avid hiker, but when she committed to summiting 19,341-foot Mount Kilimanjaro, a climb known for its extreme altitude, long days, and unforgiving conditions, she had to exercise her planning muscles in addition to her leg muscles.

What started as a simple “maybe I could do this” quickly turned into a test of steady pacing through thin air, tough terrain, and rapidly changing weather. Every decision needed to be air-tight and her checklist cross-checked every which way.

There are several routes to the top of Kilimanjaro, and Heidi and her daughter Marion took the Lemosho route, totaling 8 arduous days. Before this trip, Heidi had never slept in a tent; so even though she's not afraid of adventure, this challenge pushed her mental and physical reserves in brand-new ways. 

Read on to learn how she prepared, fun details from the trail, and why big adventures bring out the best in all of us.

Day one at the gate as Heidi and Marion entered the National Park

What’s the backstory behind deciding to take on Kilimanjaro?
My daughter Marion had done a study abroad in Tanzania and Kenya in May of 2024. When I met up with her in Greece on her way back to the U.S., she could not stop talking about going back to climb Kilimanjaro. I said I would do it with her.

After I got home from Greece, I did the Mammoth March in Delaware where I met Jeanne Rapley, a very avid hiker. She told me about her summit of Kilimanjaro. Fast forward one year, I was listening to Tish Hamilton on the AMR podcast talking about her attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. I told my daughter about the podcast and how exciting her trip sounded. Marion being Marion said, “Well, what are you waiting for? You are not getting any younger.”

Mother and daughter on the trail with their gear and smiles

How did you prepare for the intense climb?
I knew I had to show up strong so I worked with Coach Christy Scott. She was the coach for the Grand Traverse and I really liked her training plan. She had me lifting heavy, going for long hikes, plus intense workouts on the treadmill with inclines up to 16%.

I was so glad she had me doing all the squats, lunges, and step-ups. Having a strong core was vital for carrying my pack every day, and all the squatting required to pee behind rocks felt like a walk in the park.

I trained in the winter weather of South Dakota, which meant I could test out my layers, boots, and cold-weather gear. The only thing that I could not practice was being at altitude, but I spend plenty of time in the mountains of Utah at 7,000 feet, plus I have been to elevations of 10,000 feet on other hikes so I had an idea of what to expect.

What part of the climb tested you the most?
I tell people the actual hiking wasn't that tough. The hard parts were the altitude, the very slow pace of sticking together as a group, and the weather. We took Diamox twice a day to help prevent altitude sickness, and our guides routinely checked our vitals and asked how we were feeling. I joke that my guide Urio knows more about my bodily functions than my husband of almost 29 years.

We definitely faced our share of inclement weather. Day 1 started sunny but quickly turned into heavy rain with thunder and lightning. Day 3 was a blizzard with hail. Summit night was the hardest. It started out fine for the first 40 minutes, then we rounded a corner into strong, cold winds. Our guides said it was –20°F with the windchill. Starting the climb at midnight made the cold even tougher.

Weather: chaotic. Good gear: undefeated!

What ended up surprising you?
I was surprised that I actually liked sleeping in a tent. I had never slept in a tent before this trip. We learned to sleep with our clothes in the sleeping bag or between the thick pad and sleeping bag. This helped keep them warm for putting on in the morning plus helped to dry out damp stuff. The best part of climbing into the sleeping bag was cuddling the hot water bottle they gave us each night for warmth.

Will I go camping again? Probably not, but I am glad that I experienced it!

I was also surprised at how much peace and calm I felt on the mountain. I forgot about the outside world for 8 days. Marion had a satellite phone to send a few messages, but I did not miss technology or the need to start my GPS. Since getting home I have gone for several long walks with my dog and left my phone and Garmin at home.

The pic of a lifetime: The summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro

How did you pull together the logistics for a trip like this?
I looked up Soraka Tours, the company Tish hiked with, and reached out to them. The owner got back to me right away and we hit it off. Luckily the February dates that we wanted worked with their schedule.

The details for the hike were pretty easy once we booked with Soraka Tours because they have everything planned out for the climb. I just had to figure out clothing and gear. They gave us a list of what we needed and our weight limit. The porters are highly regulated on how much they can carry; our waterproof duffel bags had to be under 35 pounds.

I met Mari Partyka at the Grand Traverse and learned she had climbed Kilimanjaro. Mari let me borrow her waterproof duffel bag, day pack, leg gaiters, and insulated bag for my hydration bladder, plus she gave great advice. 

What moments on the mountain stood out?
The biggest highlight of the trip was spending it with my daughter doing something we both love—hiking and being in nature—and learning about her joy of camping. I understand her better now, and that is priceless.

I also need to highlight the simple but delicious food that was served to us. I am not sure how our cook did it but he made us wonderful meals. I started to look forward to the pancakes that were a cross between tortillas and crepes. I could not get enough of the soup at lunch and supper. We would joke on the trail, “There goes our bread and eggs,” as the porters flew by with our supplies tied to their packs.

Heidi's three amazing guides: Freddie, Urio, and Balta

What wisdom would you pass on to the next person eyeing a challenge like this?
Book the trip before you can talk yourself out of it. Even after booking the trip, I had a panic attack and started to question what I was going to do, but there was no backing out.

I also recommend having a cheerleader or two. Marion constantly reminds me that I am badass and can do tough sh*t. My husband tells me to go for it. Having them cheering me on helps me believe in myself.

One last thing:
If anyone wants an adventure buddy but needs a partner, call me!