There have been several accidents on the Western Breach in recent years, most of which have occurred between 5000m and 5300m elevation. The most unfortunate of these accidents occurred in January 2006 when rockfall dislodged from the base of a glacier on the face fell some 150 metres and killed three climbers.

Following this accident we were asked to work with representatives of Kilimanjaro National Parks under the direction of Tanzania National Parks, in order to demonstrate what we had previously advised the Director Of TANAPA was the cause of this accident. These findings were reported here.

It is our belief that now that the Breach has been re-opened, we should expect the possibility of further accidents. The primary reasons for this belief are that:

a)  the r-shaped glacier from which the rocks fell in January 2006 continues to recede and to release more rocks.

b) the alternative route that has been opened with the aim of evading rockfall now presents a new risk of falling. This is clearly illustrated in the image directly behind this text, taken on the southern side of the Stone Train where the new route is required to pass.

Prospective climbers should be advised that neither KINAPA, TANAPA nor any climb organiser with which you may book your expedition are liable to bear any responsibility for accidents that may occur on Kilimanjaro. Climbers are required to undertake to commit to their expeditions on the basis of informed consent and in acknowledgement of the fact that an ascent of Kilimanjaro entails potentially fatal objective risk, that is, risk that cannot be controlled by your climb organiser. Climbers should also note that the level of objective risk associated with the Western Breach assault route is considered to be conspicuously greater than on the two alternative assault routes.