Written by Scott Baylon
April 29, 2024
Scaling the heights of Mount Kilimanjaro is no ordinary feat. It's a journey that demands courage, resilience, and meticulous preparation. As an adventurer and Lofta customer, Jim Rowson was drawn to the allure of reaching the roof of Africa. But there was a unique challenge awaiting him on this expedition: sleep apnea.
ResMed rates the AirMini™ as usable at a max elevation of about 8,500 feet. So, Jim was faced with a daunting decision: could he bring his CPAP with him? Would it withstand the rigors of high-altitude trekking? More importantly, could it make the difference between success and failure on Africa's highest peak?
Jim was kind enough to share his journey with us:
When did you complete your climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro?
It was September 2023 when I climbed Mt Kilimanjaro. The entire trek was 8 days, 7 nights of CPAP. After reaching the summit there is about 14,000 feet of descent with one overnight.
(pictured: the camping set up at high altitude)
Was this a bucket-list climb? And what others are on the list?
It’s funny. I had never considered climbing Mt Kilimanjaro until I had been to Tanzania for a game safari and saw the Mountain. I am a regular hiker in Washington state and was on a local hike with others when Mt. Kilimanjaro came up.
One hiker mentioned that he knew a guide for Kilimanjaro. That began the planning for what eventually resulted in eight local hikers heading to Tanzania as a group.
(pictured: the group setting out)
Why did you feel it was necessary to bring your CPAP on the climb? How did Lofta help you prepare?
I have been a CPAP user for about 25 years. To me I have been on CPAP so long, no CPAP means no go.
It was only a question as to how. That is where Lofta, with their website, and customer service played a role. It was time for a new portable machine and the ResMed AirMini™ was soon making the climb with me.
While I was advised the maximum altitude of the AirMini™ is 8,500 feet, I took the risk that it would perform at greater elevation. All our nights were above 8,500 ft. with several above 13,000 ft. I used it every night, all night, though a few of those high elevation nights, the CPAP seemed a bit “different”. It did survive and I use it today when traveling.
(pictured: high altitude warning signs for climbers)
(pictured: camping, Kilimanjaro style)
What was the most memorable part of the journey?
Reaching Stella Point, 18,885 feet was perhaps the most memorable. We reached it at about 6:20 AM after climbing with headlamps 6 difficult hours from 16,000 ft. I was unexpectedly emotional, looking into the caldera, feeling the elevation, and sensing the successful summit at 19,341 Ft. Months of anticipation and training paid off.
(pictured: Jim at Stella Point)
(pictured: Jim reaching the summit)
Do you have an AirMini™ Adventure to tell?
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