Embarking on the journey to summit Mount Kilimanjaro is a dream for a lot of adventurers, however the fitting gear could make all of the distinction between a profitable climb and a difficult wrestle. From hydration options to protecting headgear, every merchandise performs an important function in making certain your security and luxury all through the expedition.
So, what gear do you must climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
On this complete information, we’ll break down the important gear you must pack in your Kilimanjaro journey, together with must-have objects, elective equipment, and suggestions for benefiting from your gear.
What Tools Do You Have to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
With the fitting gear and preparation, you’ll be able to sort out the problem of Mount Kilimanjaro and create lasting recollections of a lifetime. Bear in mind, whereas it’s important to pack properly, keep away from overpacking to stick to weight limits imposed by porters.
Right here’s our full Kilimanjaro gear checklist:
Baggage
- A hydration bladder (or “camel bag”) is very advisable for this journey. In case your daypack is suitable with one, having one will certainly add consolation to your trek. You need to be very cautious and select solely high-quality fashions. Guarantee that the pipe is insulated; in any other case, it’d freeze on the summit evening. 1.5—and 2-litre variations shall be excellent in your journey.
- Journey bag organizers (elective). A extremely advisable merchandise that makes it comfy to get your whole gear sorted inside a duffle bag. Additionally, utilizing such organizers is useful for holding soiled and moist garments aside from the clear ones.
Footwear is without doubt one of the most vital objects in your Kilimanjaro pack checklist. That is the place you have to be notably attentive and selective. Selecting your mountaineering boots and/or sneakers is a job of supreme significance. A flawed selection right here can lead to damaged toenails, corns and blisters. For this journey you have to high-quality mountaineering boots, trekking sneakers (elective) and trekking socks.
Climbing boots
Selecting applicable mountaineering boots might be of utmost significance. There are various choices in the marketplace, and generally it‟s onerous to search out the fitting one. Ideally, your mountaineering boots ought to meet the next standards:
- Boots ought to have good ankle assist.
- Boots ought to be of medium weight.
- After all, your boots ought to be waterproof to maintain your toes dry all the way in which as much as the highest. It’s particularly vital within the summit space if you happen to climb Kilimanjaro through the wet season. Carrying high-quality trekking socks will present additional safety, so it’s at all times advisable to have a pair.
Ideally, laces ought to get fastened to the velocity hooks for higher consolation and safety. It’s critically vital to interrupt in your boots earlier than the beginning of your Kilimanjaro journey. Taking a pair of name new boots will trigger discomfort, sore soles and calluses. Due to this fact, it’s extremely advisable so that you can put on your boots for about 5-6 days earlier than the beginning of the trek. It’s critically vital to interrupt in your boots earlier than the beginning of your Kilimanjaro journey. It’s best to take a minimum of two lengthy hikes to get them prepared.
The manufacturers of mountaineering boots that we suggest embrace: La Sportiva, Zamberlan, The North Face, merles, Asolo, Salomon and Scarpa. Any of those manufacturers shall be excellent for Kilimanjaro.
- Sneakers Optionally available
On some routes, the primary days of your hike received’t be very steep, making it attainable to make use of easy trekking sneakers as an alternative of shoes. On the next days, after arriving at your camp, you’ll most likely need to take off your mountaineering boots and let your toes relaxation. That’s when sneakers may turn out to be useful. They’ll be excellent for exploring the camp environment and to maneuver between your tent and eating tents.
- Trekking socks
Trekking socks are a should on hikes like this. Don’t pack cotton socks, as they may retain sweat and offer you blisters. In distinction, woolen socks are a very good possibility for Kilimanjaro – they may guarantee quick and efficient wicking. A model to select from is Bridgedale.
- Thermal socks Optionally available
Thermal socks are elective, however extremely advisable, particularly for climbs through the summer time months. There are numerous manufacturers accessible in the marketplace. Those with flat seams, not manufactured from cotton, will go well with completely! Merino wool is a superb various.
- Gaiters Optionally available
The usage of gaiters on Kilimanjaro will not be necessary, however through the wet season they’re completely indispensable to stop mud, snow or pebbles from getting contained in the boots.
Hikers usually assume that gaiters are of little worth. And but, they do assist to maintain your trekking pants and boots clear through the trek, making your clothes extra nice to placed on. Additionally, the gaiters assist to guard your costlier membrane and trekking pants from the edgy rocks that are ubiquitous on Kilimanjaro.
Head-Gears
Like different trekking gear classes, Kilimanjaro headgear has each necessary and elective objects.
- Solar hat
A solar hat is a should have in your packing checklist. Ideally, it also needs to have a neck cowl (like this one). This headgear will shield your face from sunburns and overheating.
- Beanie
Taking a beanie is important for this journey. At greater elevation you’ll begin feeling chilly, so as a way to maintain your head and ears heat you have to a very good beanie. It ought to be heat sufficient for the low temperatures and snowy situations of the summit space.
- Balaclava Optionally available
Balaclava is a useful resolution for hikers who’re notably inclined to chilly temperatures. A woolen balaclava will shield your chin, nostril, cheeks and brow from wind on the summit evening. It’s unlikely that you may be utilizing it anyplace else.
- Neck hotter Optionally available
Many climbers discover neck heaters very helpful as they supply good safety to your neck and face if it will get very chilly. It‟s additionally a very good resolution towards mud.
- Sun shades
Relating to sun shades, there are some key factors to concentrate to. Firstly, sun shades ought to present good UV safety. On the elevation of 6,000 m above the ocean stage UV radiation is far greater than at sea stage. Secondly, when selecting sun shades, you must do not forget that snow within the summit space displays gentle, thus placing additional pressure in your eyes. As soon as close to the summit, you must put your sun shades on even whether it is cloudy. In any other case, you may develop a situation often known as snow blindness. It is extremely harmful and will trigger everlasting injury to your imaginative and prescient. Thus, make certain to decide on a high-quality mountain mannequin with 3 or, higher, 4-level of UV safety.
- Headlamp
You can’t hike Mount Kilimanjaro with out a headlamp. Firstly, you’ll want it for shifting across the camp after sundown when discovering your tent can develop into fairly a job. Moreover, if you happen to resolve to go to the toilet at evening with out a headlamp on, you could possibly bump into the tent ropes. Secondly, a headlamp shall be mandatory through the summit. Usually, hikers begin at midnight, aiming to succeed in Uhuru Peak by dawn. So a headlamp shall be a terrific assist in seeing the trail.
Please take note of the next factors whereas selecting a headlamp in your journey:
- Test the standard of sunshine. The brighter your headlamp, the extra appropriate it’s for the trek. Optimally, the sunshine output ought to be greater than 90-100 lumens and the beam distance ought to be a minimum of 40-50 m.
- Purchase good batteries. Ideally, the energetic mode ought to be round 30 hours. In any other case, don’t forget to take spare batteries or you should purchase it right here.
- Lastly, your headlamp shouldn’t be too heavy. Since it’s worn on the top, it ought to be comparatively gentle. Thus, don’t contemplate something above 120 g.
- Keep away from shopping for headlamps with rechargeable batteries. Their battery life is far shorter, and, most significantly, there are not any energy retailers on Kilimanjaro to recharge them.
PETZL supplies good choices – examine them out.
Trekking poles
Trekking poles are a extremely advisable merchandise in your Kilimanjaro packing checklist, not solely as a result of it’s a matter of consolation, however due to well being issues. Excessive-altitude trekking is a strenuous exercise that places nice pressure in your knees and joints. The typical day by day mountaineering leg on Mt Kilimanjaro is 7-10 km, which takes 4-8 hours to finish.
The terrain is rugged and, at some factors of the trek, rocky. That is the place the trekking poles will make it easier to to maintain steadiness, including two additional supporting factors. The hikers additionally say that the trekking poles are useful on the summit evening, particularly when fatigue takes over them. That’s the reason some individuals who don’t use trekking poles complain about sore legs throughout and after the journey.
Good trekking poles will decrease the influence of a prolonged hike on joints, since a part of your weight shall be moved upon your fingers and again, relieving your knees and different joints from additional stress.
Whereas deciding on the trekking poles in your Kilimanjaro hike take note of the next:
- Ideally, your trekking poles ought to weigh round 400 g—not too heavy and never too gentle. Sturdiness additionally issues—they need to be capable to endure prolonged hikes.
- As for supplies, aluminum is essentially the most optimum possibility to make the poles sturdy. Additionally, examine the grip supplies – in a high-quality pair of poles, grips are manufactured from cork or foam. Cork is at all times a greater possibility, because it feels extra comfy within the palm and doesn’t injury the palm pores and skin.
- Additionally, do not forget that the trekking poles ought to match your peak. Other than adjustable fashions, there are particular fashions for tall individuals and for teenagers.
Black Diamond is thought for having the best assortment of trekking poles. Good trekking poles are precisely what you must decrease the influence of a prolonged hike in your knees and joints.
Gloves You’ll need two varieties of gloves for this journey – gentle interior gloves and hotter outer gloves for the summit evening. Each varieties of gloves are important in your Kilimanjaro journey.
Light-weight gloves are supposed to maintain your fingers heat ranging from the second day of your expedition. Most hikers put on them till the summit camp after which placed on their outer gloves. Inside gloves ought to be manufactured from good-quality supplies, the most effective choices being wool, polartec or synthetics. Keep away from shopping for cotton gloves—they aren’t appropriate for Kilimanjaro due to their poor wicking capability.
Additionally, you will want heat gloves or mittens for the summit evening. They need to be heat and waterproof, whereas comfy to make use of. Mittens are higher – the summit normally takes round eight hours, and on a regular basis you may be holding trekking poles in your fingers. Due to that, it’s crucial to maintain them heat at -15°C / 5°F (lowest temperature within the summit zone).
Sleeping bag for Kilimanjaro
Regardless of which season you’re climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, a sleeping bag shall be mandatory in any camp and on all routes.
Your sleeping bag ought to be heat. To start with, your sleeping bag has three temperature ranges.
- “Consolation stage” means the temperature at which you’ll sleep comfortably in your sleeping bag with solely your thermal underwear on.
- “Restrict stage” stands for the temperature when you should use your sleeping bag whereas carrying some layers of additional garments. Sleeping baggage shouldn’t be utilized in situations past that temperature restrict.
- “Excessive stage” means the temperature at which a sleeping bag can be utilized as an emergency measure to save lots of a climber from hypothermia till the emergency companies arrive.
It is extremely chilly at evening within the higher camps of Kilimanjaro. Thus, the consolation stage of your sleeping bag ought to be a minimum of -10°C / 14°F. If you will get a sleeping bag hotter than that, you received’t remorse it! Nobody has ever complained that it was too sizzling in his or her sleeping bag.
Ideally, your sleeping bag ought to have a hood to cowl your head for higher sleep at evening. Our Kilimanjaro advice is Lamina Z Blaze (Consolation Stage -15°F / -26°C) by Mountain Hardwear and The North Face sleeping baggage.
- Sleeping bag liner Optionally available
A sleeping bag liner will add additional heat on the ultimate days of your climb. Mummy-shaped liners are higher than rectangular ones. Both a fleece or an insulated liner shall be nice in your Kilimanjaro hike. An excellent liner can add from 3 to eight°C to your sleeping bag consolation stage, which lets you take your individual sleeping bag if it doesn’t match the -10°C consolation stage requirement.
- Inflatable pillow Optionally available
An inflatable pillow shall be of nice use for many who like studying in a tent. On the identical time, nevertheless, chances are you’ll put your again pack or some garments beneath your head to make an improvised pillow.
- Private & Medical objects Optionally available
Moist wipes will assist preserve private hygiene if you happen to determined to climb Kilimanjaro with out hiring a private moveable bathe. Take two packs – put a small one into your daypack to make use of on the way in which, and a bigger one will go to the duffel bag for use for the night hygiene. Suncream. With out it the open components of your fingers and face will simply get sunburnt. Private treatment – you must undoubtedly convey any medication chances are you’ll require comparable to nausea, headache, stomachache, and so on. Keep in mind that among the drugs that you could simply purchase within the house international locations could be unavailable in Tanzania.
Optionally available Devices
A few of the devices that shall be helpful in your Kilimanjaro journey are:
- Digicam
The surroundings opening from Mt Kilimanjaro is actually spectacular! Taking nice photos is without doubt one of the important causes individuals join this journey. You might take a smartphone with an influence financial institution or a Go-Professional digicam with spare batteries to seize essentially the most unbelievable moments of your journey. - Energy banks
As mentioned above, if you’re taking any devices with you, taking an influence financial institution is a should. There are not any energy retailers on Kilimanjaro, and it’s the solely approach to maintain your smartphone, e-reader or different units charged. - E-book
For many who wish to learn earlier than going to sleep, it’s a must-have merchandise within the packing checklist. - Mp3 Participant
This may make your Kilimanjaro Trek really nice, particularly on the summit evening. Your favourite songs will definitely sustain your spirits and make the moments on the highest of Africa much more great. (Optionally available)
REMEMBER: Communal gear (tents, meals, utensils, and so on.) is supplied. You might be answerable for bringing the required, advisable and elective private gear and gear listed. The commonest mistake that climbers make is that they overpack. Be selective in what you’re taking with you. Our porters are restricted to carrying 33 lbs. (15 kgs) of your belongings.
NOTE: This stuff could be rented on location – payable in USD money solely. There’s a basic ban on plastic baggage in Tanzania, however Vacationers are permitted to make use of Ziploc-type baggage.
Ebook Your Mount Kilimanjaro Climb with Kili Climb Africa Safaris
As you put together in your Kilimanjaro journey, contemplate reserving your climb with Kili Climb Africa Safaris, one in every of Africa’s main journey specialists. With a popularity for reliability and a deep understanding of Western tradition and desires, Kili Climb Africa Safaris is dedicated to offering distinctive customized companies at an reasonably priced finances.
Based by a staff {of professional} safaris and mountain consultants, Kili Climb Africa Safaris affords genuine cultural experiences primarily based on native data and Tanzanian sensibilities. Our guides, born and raised in Africa, present true narrations and deep insights that enrich your journey and make it really unforgettable.
If you select Kili Climb Africa Safaris, you join straight with educated guides who’re consultants within the locations you’ll discover. Whether or not you’re touring solo, with associates, or as a household, we are able to customise a visit to fit your preferences and supply an genuine native expertise.
With climbs on varied routes starting from 4 to 9 days, Kili Climb Africa Safaris ensures a protected, memorable, and rewarding journey to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Ebook your journey with us and embark on the expertise of a lifetime.
Get in contact with Kili Climb Africa Safaris to e book your Kilimanjaro Climb:
