Travel report from Sebastian Bär

When we at BÄR develop our shoes or soles, we always test the prototype where the shoes might be used in the future. In the case of BÄR mountain boots, only one of the “Seven Summits” was ever considered. We opted for the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro, rising 5,895 metres above sea level.

It was an unhurried walk uphill through different types of vegetation: “Pole, Pole” repeated the guide - “slowly, slowly”. That is the key to giving your body the chance to acclimatise to the altitude. Anyone who ignores this advice and goes more quickly could have to pay the price later: altitude sickness not far from the summit.

The route leads from Park Gate Marangu (1,840 m) via Mandara Hut (2,720 m), Horombo Hut (3,725 m) and Kibo Hut (4,703 m) to the summit at Uhuru Peak at an altitude of 5,895 m.

Every year, tourists die here because they have underestimated the effects of altitude on their bodies. Good equipment is an absolute must. Mountain boots with sturdy, slip-resistant soles are essential. I wore the very first prototype of the “Kibo” boot with the new Touring sole. Other requirements I had to respect if I was to endure the upcoming exertions tolerably well included drinking at least 5 litres of water per day, getting plenty of sleep and taking no medicine.

Up to Mandara Hut, we walked through lush rainforest and the scenery only changed as we began to make our way up to Horombo Hut as gorse and heather lined the path. The third day was an acclimatisation day and we walked about five hours from the hut past Zebra Rock to Lava Hill (4,380 m) lying right at the foot of Mount Mawenzi (4,550 m), which rises up into the sky only a few miles from Kibo.

At this altitude, some of us began to show signs of altitude sickness, which leaves the sufferer feeling queasy: headache, nausea, dizziness and a lack of energy.

The next day, one of the members of our group had to return to the valley – diagnosis: altitude sickness. Others complained about their uncomfortable walking boots and began treating the first blisters on their toes. I experienced no such problems thanks to our generous toe zone. My prototype models drew considerable attention as my comrades took their first agonising steps, grimacing with pain. We broke camp and as we approached Kibo Hut, the vegetation gave way to a bleak volcanic landscape. In front of me rose Kibo with its majestic glaciers! At about 4,300 m, we passed the last standpipe. In the rocky desert surrounding us, all life seemed to have come to a standstill. Here and there, a little lichen and moss but otherwise nothing but lifeless lava fields. I increasingly appreciated the high shaft of my boots, which allowed me to walk surefooted over uneven ground, even when I wasn’t concentrating fully on where I was putting my feet.

We began meeting mountain climbers with haggard faces coming down and I naturally asked if they’d been to the top: “Brutal conditions!” one American said before hurrying on. Others simply shook their heads and trudged on. In front of me soared the highest isolated mountain in the world.

Somewhat anxiously, I set off on the penultimate stage on the way to the summit: there I was with my prototype boots which were being tested for the first time. Would the soles give me sufficient grip and slip resistance on the steep lave slopes leading to the summit? Were they warm enough at -20°C? Would I maybe end up with blisters because of the extreme conditions in front of me and have to give up after all?

I started to feel an unpleasant throb in my head. “Come on, don’t give up now!” I said to myself. “Pole! Pole!”, go slowly and don’t try to do too much.

I crept into my sleeping bag at 6 p.m. at the Kibo Hut to make sure I got a few hours sleep before attempting the final assault on the peak. At midnight, it was time to go! Outside, it was about -15°C. No wind, a starry night and bitterly cold. We headed towards the summit on the narrow serpentine track on the steep, stony face. The Touring sole with its chunky tread gave me a perfect hold! In the light of the lamp on my forehead, I could see the marks left by the heels of the hiking boots of the man in front of me, step for step. The same rhythm and the same picture for five hours. The path got steeper and steeper and was covered in igneous rocks. Nobody said a word. Again and again we were met by mountain climbers who had had to give up on the way. One of our party had to turn back too. At 5,200 m she could not walk in a straight line any more, felt dizzy and continuing the ascent would have been too dangerous.

Just before daybreak, we reached Gilmans´s Point (5,715 m). The sky was beginning to brighten in the east. The air was getting thinner and colder. We were getting progressively slower. There was a massive glacier below and in front of me. I looked down to the left onto Mount Mawenzi.

I kept climbing … one step… after… another… and again… one step… after… another. And then I saw a damaged sign “Congratulations – You are now at the Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, Altitude 5,895 m”. It’s a moment I will never forget and like nothing else I have ever experienced!

II was pretty exhausted! But proud. I wanted to run just three metres to a friend to congratulate him and I was out of breath as if I had just done a fifty-metre sprint.

After 25 minutes at a height of almost 5,900 m, we had had enough. We started our descent that on the same day led past the Kibo Hut to the Horombo Hut and then the next day down to the valley.

Mission accomplished: the “Kibo” boot and particularly the Touring sole and its tread could go into series production. I am totally satisfied because now lots of other hikers and mountain climbers can benefit from the innovative toe zone we provide at BÄR.

A tour without aching feet – you cannot ask any more than that!