Every adventure begins with the next step.
Ice on the tents, far views and a long beautiful walk across the Shira Plateau. Day three feels gentler on paper, but my body makes it increasingly clear that nearly 4,000 metres is a different world.
The rainforest falls behind me as the landscape opens up and the Lemosho Route reveals its steep side. Nearly 1,000 metres of ascent, intense sun and a crew of around 20 people shape my second day.
After months of preparation, I finally set off on the Lemosho Route. Day one leads through dense mountain rainforest to Mti Mkubwa Camp—still relatively short, but almost entirely uphill, with the first surprises from my rental gear.
Landing in Tanzania—and suddenly Kilimanjaro is no longer just a project, but standing right in front of me. With the sight come the questions: Have I done enough? Will my preparation be enough? Now all that remains is to let go and see what happens.
Just one week until my flight to Tanzania. The MegaMarsch in Erfurt is my final big endurance test—while a cold, missing gear, unsettled weather and worries about the flights keep my nerves on edge. Almost everything is ready. Almost.
Four weeks before Kilimanjaro, I take stock: how my training has changed, why stairs, incline and long-distance walks matter, and why preparation offers no summit guarantee—but a realistic chance.
A good headlamp is essential kit on any outing. In my comparison of models under €100, I explain which lights truly deliver—and why the Black Diamond Spot 400 is currently my best all-rounder.
I set off in “perfect” hiking boots—and still ended up with blisters everywhere. It took many kilometres for me to understand what really matters. Here’s what I’ve learned.
Can you be too old, too slow or too unfit for long-distance walks? From super-fit 30-year-olds to determined hikers in their 80s, one thing becomes clear: age and weight matter less than honest self-assessment.
Why elevation gain matters more than distance: a comparison between a 260 m ascent march in Berlin and the Saale Horizontale with 1,600 m—and what it means for choosing your next route.
A marathon does not automatically prepare you to hike 55 or 100 kilometres. Extreme hiking is not about pace, but structural resilience, smart pacing and steady fuelling over long hours.
50 kilometres around Alcúdia, from sunrise to sunset. Sea, old town, beach and the long climb to Mirador de la Victoria made my first MegaMarsch in Mallorca an intense island experience.
