Kilimanjaro gets high-speed internet so climbers can tweet or Instagram ascent

He said the summit of the 5,895-metre mountain would have internet connectivity by the end of the year.

More practically, the huge strides in communications devices have allowed climbers, ocean sailors and polar explorers to have access to the most up to date weather forecasting and the ability to call for rescue in event of an emergency.

The downside, however, as some UK mountain rescue teams have pointed out, is that the over-reliance on fallible technology, including navigation software installed on mobile phones, has led to some climbers and walkers getting into trouble. The British Mountaineering Council has said repeatedly that mobile phones should never be solely relied on for navigation.

Kilimanjaro is an important source of tourism revenue in Tanzania and neighbouring Kenya, with about 35,000 people attempting to reach the peak each year.

Agence France-Presse contributed to this report