If you are waiting to feel ready, you will wait forever, because nobody feels ready for a mountain they have never climbed.

There are six main ways up Kilimanjaro, and choosing between them is the single biggest decision of your climb. It shapes what you see, how busy your trail is, where you sleep, and, more than anything, your chance of standing on the summit.

John Evance's attempt has a twist that makes it more interesting than the clock alone. Rather than starting at the Marangu or Umbwe gates, where most previous record attempts have begun

The Shira Route suits the experienced trekker who has been to altitude before and knows how their body responds, and the climber who wants the plateau's vast early wilderness more than anything else on the mountain.

Machame suits the reasonably fit, adventurous climber who wants drama and variety and does not mind sharing the trail. If you love the idea of the iconic route, the Barranco Wall and constantly changing scenery, and you are happy to work a little harder each day for it, Machame is a brilliant choice.