I read "Kilimanjaro Adventure" by Hal Streckert after my wife's and my own
trip to Mt. Kilimanjaro in February, 1999. Prior to our trip I did a lot of research on
the Internet and read several travelogues and saw a number of photos. However, I always
was disappointed by not being able to find a comprehensive and personal travelogue. After
our own trip I was excited to see a new book on Kilimanjaro, and I wasted no time to order
it from Amazon.com.
Hal's book was excellent in capturing their exotic experience. I would highly recommend
this is a good book to read if you are are thinking about going on a Mt. Kilimanjaro climb
yourself. Hal's story of himself, his wife, and his son was very engaging. For those who
have been up Kili, it will be a good way to relive the experience. There are books that
are better in explaining the various routes that are possible: "Kilimanjaro &
Mount Kenya: A Climbing and Trekking Guide (Cameron M. Burns, 1998). There are also
comprehensive guidebooks: Lonely Planet's Trekking in East Africa (David Else, 2nd edition
1998). However, Hal's story is the most personal account that I have read anywhere on or
off the Internet. By the way, if you want see more photos, read from another
person's perspective, or experience a Kili climb via the spectacular Shira Plateau and
Western Breach Wall, please visit my photo journal at http://www.swoo.com
. I personally believe that no amount of pictures nor words can ever capture the
individual experience of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro yourself, but reading Hal's book is
certainly a good way to come close to that.
