MOUNT KILIMANJARO TREKKING ESSENTIAL ITEMS:
Solid Hiking Boots - Boots should have high ankle support with a solid Vibram®, or equivalent, sole. Gore Tex®, or other waterproofing, is recommended for wet days as well as added insulation. Be sure to break your boots in at least 4 weeks prior to departure. Additionally, bring a spare set of laces.
Sun Glasses - Your sunglasses should have 100% UV protection and should reduce glare as well as visible light. The frames should be lightweight with a wrap-around design for enhanced grip and staying power. Additionally, side shields are recommended to block peripheral light.
Day Pack - The most important things to look for if you need to purchase one are the size (30L is good), hydration pack compatibility, hip and chest straps, internal frame, good padding on shoulder straps, and water bottle holders.
Water/Windproof Jacket - Your water/windproof jacket is your outer water-repellent layer. Gore-Tex, seam-sealed, is recommended, as well as a hood for added warmth.
Water/Windproof Pants - Your water/windproof pants will be worn on summit day as well as on rainy afternoons. These pants are essential for warmth and should be Gore-Tex lined and have lower leg zips.
Water/Windproof Mittens or Gloves - These are used for extreme temperatures and are primarily worn on summit day. Be sure your gloves or mittens have a wrist cord as well as a reinforced palm to maintain grip during wet conditions. A removable liner is essential for drying, washing, and replacing.
2 large duffel bags - One will be left at the hotel in Arusha to store non-essential gear when on the mountain, such as clean clothes for changing when off the mountain and for onward travel, and the other is for carriage by the porters when on the mountain.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND ABOUT THE ESSENTIALS
Look for items that will add less volume to your overall pack. We will be using porters to carry our equipment; however, they are limited in the amount each can carry. Heavy synthetic materials will be very limiting and could cause issues when packing up for the hike.
2 pairs of synthetic warm-weather trekking socks - These socks are for trekking in the warmest part of the day since they are made of a Coolmax® fabric. Coolmax® wicks moisture, dries quickly, and breathes well, keeping your feet dry and preventing blisters.
4 pairs of heavier synthetic or wool blend socks - Your wool socks are ideal for around camp when the temperature drops, as well as on cold mornings. Merino wool is very comfortable and dries quickly with fewer odours than synthetic blends.
2 pairs of long underwear tops - This will be your base layer for colder mornings, evenings, and days when the temperature drops considerably. The material is lightweight, tight-fitting, moisture-wicking, and comfortable.
2 pairs of long underwear bottoms - This will be your bottom base layer for colder mornings, evenings, and days when the temperature drops considerably. The material is lightweight, tight-fitting, moisture-wicking, and comfortable.
Warm pants - These pants are ideal for evenings around the camp and cold days on the trail. Typically made of lightweight fleece and Wind Pro material, these pants should offer added warmth in case of cold nights or high winds on the summit.
Fleece Top - This Polartec® 200 weight top will provide added warmth during the evenings as well as on cold morning starts. Please look for fleece material and stay away from cotton sweatshirts. Ideally, this item is worn over the thermal base layer and underneath your water/windproof jacket.
2 pairs of shorts/pants for hiking - These convertible shorts/pants will be what we hike in every day. They should be made of a lightweight, quick-drying nylon material. Some come with UPF protection and mosquito protection.
2 pairs of long- or short-sleeve shirts for the trail - Your trekking shirt is what you should wear early in the climb in warmer climates. The shirt is moisture-wicking, lightweight, and designed for multi-day hikes.
Mid-Layer Top - This shirt is a long-sleeve version of the one provided above. The long-sleeve trail shirt offers added warmth, more protection from the sun, and an additional layer for evenings and early morning starts.
Warm Hat - This fleece or wool hat is ideal for evenings and will be valuable in the event of cold weather and temperatures on the summit. The hat should be tight-fitting with minimal loose ends.
Lightweight Gloves - Fleece gloves are essential. Look for gloves that are Polartec® 200 weight with a leather-reinforced palm. For more protection, windproofing is available and will add an extra layer of warmth.
Balaclava - The balaclava provides added warmth on summit day and during colder evenings. The balaclava should be made of synthetic or wool material, lightweight, and close-fitting.
Sun hat - Your sun hat should be worn at the lower camps and should provide ample coverage for the face. A full-brimmed hat is good for added shade and increased sun protection. Additionally, a neck scarf should also be considered to protect the back of the neck.
Waterproof breathable Gaiters - Your gaiters should be lightweight and durable. Look for Gore-Tex lined gaiters with the ability to fit over your boots. Velcro or adjustable sides for easy access are recommended.
Down Jacket - An 800-fill down jacket will add much-needed warmth for cold evenings as well as the added layers for summit day. Down is recommended for its compressibility and is comfortable around camp in the early nights on the climb. Patagonia, Mountain Hardware, Marmot, and North Face are brands the guides wear.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS:
Head Lamp - Petzl® and Black Diamond® make several models of small and efficient headlamps. Look for ones that have multiple lighting levels, LED bulbs, and use AAA batteries.
Please bring at least 3 sets of spare batteries to ensure ample lighting on your summit attempt.
Camp shoes (Teva, Crocs, Sandals) - These are great for around camp after a long day on the trail. They can also be used for creek crossings that may be higher than the boot. Flip-flops work well in warmer climates but are not as effective during cold nights.
Hydrator - Hydrators are ideal when hiking for several hours because they enable you to drink slowly and frequently. 2-3 litres is a good size and should fit easily into your pack. All Camelbaks® come with a bite valve, or on/off switch, as well as a large access port for filling. You must bring a neoprene sleeve for the hose to prevent freezing.
Bug Spray - DEET-based products work well, and we find that the spray-on versions last longer and are less messy. Repellents of 4-6 ounces that are perspiration- and splash-resistant are great.
Sun Screen - SPF 30 or higher is recommended, as well as waterproof and sweatproof protection. 8 ounces will be plenty, and we typically carry one with 45+ SPF for our faces and an SPF 30 for other exposed areas. Banana Boat, REI, Kinesis, and All-Terrain are good options.
2 wide-mouth water bottles - A 1-litre water bottle is essential for hydrating at lunch, around the camp, and refilling throughout the day. Stay away from glass and heavy metals, and look for lexan® for durability.
For males, a third water bottle should be considered for use as a potty at night and must be labelled accordingly.
Pillow - A Thermarest® pillow that compresses down or folds into itself is ideal. A good benchmark for size and weight is 18 x 14 inches and 9 ounces total.
Dry Bag - A 20 litre+ dry bag is great for ensuring your personal items are safe in case of rain. Cameras, wallets, money, and any other valuables can be kept dry at all times.
Pack Cover - The pack cover is an additional item we recommend everyone carry in case we encounter heavy rains. The pack cover should have a drawstring cord and elastic edges to fit firmly over your bag. A 40-litre cover will work well on any day pack.
Trekking Poles - Collapsible poles are great for steep downhill terrain and assistance up the hill. If you have knee problems, they reduce the impact on your joints by 20-30%. A nice soft foam grip will help prevent blisters, and poles with an aluminium shaft are durable and lightweight.
Camp Towel - The camp towel should be made of a polyester-nylon blend that dries quickly and compacts tightly in your pack. The large size (50 x 27 inches) is a good option and can be used to wash up at the end of the day. Stay away from house or beach towels.
OPTIONAL ITEMS:
- Camera
- Paperback book
- Journal with pen or pencil
- Personal first aid kit (band-aids, moleskin or second skin, Ibuprofen, Aspirin)
- Hand sanitizer
- Sani-wipes
- Hand and feet warmers (2x) - Gel/air activated are best
- Bandanna
- Cell phone with solar charger, e.g. Solar Monkey charger, since tri- and quad-band phones work on Kilimanjaro
- Flavoured chocolate/energy bars for snacks
- A supply of rehydrate sachets
- 2 extra garbage bags for waterproofing and separating dirty laundry
- Earplugs
- iPod or MP3 player
- Pocket knife
Water-flavoring to mask the iodine taste in the purified water.
