Embarking on the journey to summit Mount Kilimanjaro is a dream for a lot of adventurers, however the best 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 position in guaranteeing your security and luxury all through the expedition.
So, what gear do you might want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
On this complete information, we’ll break down the important gear you might want to pack on your Kilimanjaro journey, together with must-have gadgets, non-compulsory equipment, and ideas for benefiting from your gear.
What Gear Do You Have to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
With the best gear and preparation, you’ll be able to sort out the problem of Mount Kilimanjaro and create lasting reminiscences 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 record:
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 ought to be very cautious and select solely high-quality fashions. Make it possible for the pipe is insulated; in any other case, it’d freeze on the summit night time. 1.5—and 2-litre variations will likely be excellent on your journey.
- Journey bag organizers (non-compulsory). 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 protecting soiled and moist garments other than the clear ones.
Footwear is without doubt one of the most essential gadgets in your Kilimanjaro pack record. That is the place try to be notably attentive and selective. Selecting your climbing boots and/or sneakers is a activity of supreme significance. A flawed selection right here can lead to damaged toenails, corns and blisters. For this journey you will want high-quality climbing boots, trekking sneakers (non-compulsory) and trekking socks.
Mountaineering boots
Selecting acceptable climbing boots might be of utmost significance. There are lots of choices available on the market, and typically it‟s laborious to seek out the best one. Ideally, your climbing boots ought to meet the next standards:
- Boots ought to have good ankle assist.
- Boots needs to be of medium weight.
- In fact, your boots needs to be waterproof to maintain your ft dry all the best way as much as the highest. It’s particularly essential within the summit space if you happen to climb Kilimanjaro in the course of the wet season. Carrying high-quality trekking socks will present additional safety, so it’s all the time advisable to have a pair.
Ideally, laces ought to get fastened to the pace hooks for higher consolation and safety. It’s critically essential to interrupt in your boots earlier than the beginning of your Kilimanjaro journey. Taking a pair of brand name new boots will trigger discomfort, sore soles and calluses. Subsequently, 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 essential to interrupt in your boots earlier than the beginning of your Kilimanjaro journey. It’s best to take at the least two lengthy hikes to get them prepared.
The manufacturers of climbing boots that we advocate embrace: La Sportiva, Zamberlan, The North Face, merles, Asolo, Salomon and Scarpa. Any of those manufacturers will likely be excellent for Kilimanjaro.
- Sneakers Non-obligatory
On some routes, the primary days of your hike received’t be very steep, making it potential to make use of easy trekking sneakers as a substitute of shoes. On the next days, after arriving at your camp, you’ll most likely need to take off your climbing boots and let your ft relaxation. That’s when sneakers may come in 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’ll retain sweat and offer you blisters. In distinction, woolen socks are possibility for Kilimanjaro – they’ll guarantee quick and efficient wicking. A model to select from is Bridgedale.
- Thermal socks Non-obligatory
Thermal socks are non-compulsory, however extremely advisable, particularly for climbs in the course of the summer time months. There are loads of manufacturers accessible available on the market. Those with flat seams, not manufactured from cotton, will go well with completely! Merino wool is a good different.
- Gaiters Non-obligatory
The usage of gaiters on Kilimanjaro isn’t obligatory, however in the course of the wet season they’re completely indispensable to forestall mud, snow or pebbles from getting contained in the boots.
Hikers typically suppose that gaiters are of little worth. And but, they do assist to maintain your trekking pants and boots clear in the course of the trek, making your clothes extra nice to placed on. Additionally, the gaiters assist to guard your dearer membrane and trekking pants from the edgy rocks that are ubiquitous on Kilimanjaro.
Head-Gears
Like different trekking gear classes, Kilimanjaro headgear has each obligatory and non-compulsory gadgets.
- Solar hat
A solar hat is a will need to have in your packing record. Ideally, it must also have a neck cowl (like this one). This headgear will defend your face from sunburns and overheating.
- Beanie
Taking a beanie is critical for this journey. At larger elevation you’ll begin feeling chilly, so to be able to preserve your head and ears heat you will want beanie. It needs to be heat sufficient for the low temperatures and snowy circumstances of the summit space.
- Balaclava Non-obligatory
Balaclava is a helpful resolution for hikers who’re notably prone to chilly temperatures. A woolen balaclava will defend your chin, nostril, cheeks and brow from wind on the summit night time. It’s unlikely that you may be utilizing it anyplace else.
- Neck hotter Non-obligatory
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 resolution in opposition to mud.
- Sun shades
On the subject of 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 degree UV radiation is way larger than at sea degree. Secondly, when selecting sun shades, it is best to keep in mind that snow within the summit space displays gentle, thus placing additional pressure in your eyes. As soon as close to the summit, it is best to 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 rather harmful and should trigger everlasting injury to your imaginative and prescient. Thus, be certain to decide on a high-quality mountain mannequin with 3 or, higher, 4-level of UV safety.
- Headlamp
You cannot hike Mount Kilimanjaro with no headlamp. Firstly, you’ll want it for transferring across the camp after sundown when discovering your tent can develop into fairly a activity. Moreover, if you happen to resolve to go to the toilet at night time with no headlamp on, you might bump into the tent ropes. Secondly, a headlamp will likely be needed in the course of the summit. Usually, hikers begin at midnight, aiming to succeed in Uhuru Peak by dawn. So a headlamp will likely be an excellent assist in seeing the trail.
Please take note of the next factors whereas selecting a headlamp on your journey:
- Verify the standard of sunshine. The brighter your headlamp, the extra appropriate it’s for the trek. Optimally, the sunshine output needs to be larger than 90-100 lumens and the beam distance needs to be at the least 40-50 m.
- Purchase good batteries. Ideally, the energetic mode needs to be round 30 hours. In any other case, don’t forget to take spare batteries or you should buy it right here.
- Lastly, your headlamp shouldn’t be too heavy. Since it’s worn on the pinnacle, it needs to be comparatively gentle. Thus, don’t think about something above 120 g.
- Keep away from shopping for headlamps with rechargeable batteries. Their battery life is way shorter, and, most significantly, there aren’t any energy retailers on Kilimanjaro to recharge them.
PETZL supplies good choices – verify them out.
Trekking poles
Trekking poles are a extremely advisable merchandise in your Kilimanjaro packing record, not solely as a result of it’s a matter of consolation, however due to well being considerations. Excessive-altitude trekking is a strenuous exercise that places nice pressure in your knees and joints. The typical day by day climbing 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 enable you to maintain stability, including two additional supporting factors. The hikers additionally say that the trekking poles are helpful on the summit night time, 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 will likely be moved upon your fingers and again, relieving your knees and different joints from additional stress.
Whereas deciding on the trekking poles on 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 of endure prolonged hikes.
- As for supplies, aluminum is essentially the most optimum possibility to make the poles sturdy. Additionally, verify the grip supplies – in a high-quality pair of poles, grips are manufactured from cork or foam. Cork is all the time a greater possibility, because it feels extra comfy within the palm and doesn’t injury the palm pores and skin.
- Additionally, keep in mind that the trekking poles ought to match your peak. Aside from adjustable fashions, there are particular fashions for tall folks and for teenagers.
Black Diamond is understood for having the best assortment of trekking poles. Good trekking poles are precisely what you might want to decrease the influence of a prolonged hike in your knees and joints.
Gloves You will want two kinds of gloves for this journey – gentle internal gloves and hotter outer gloves for the summit night time. Each kinds of gloves are important on your Kilimanjaro journey.
Light-weight gloves are supposed to preserve 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 needs 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 night time. 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
Irrespective of which season you might be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, a sleeping bag will likely be needed in any camp and on all routes.
Your sleeping bag needs to be heat. To start with, your sleeping bag has three temperature ranges.
- “Consolation degree” means the temperature at which you’ll sleep comfortably in your sleeping bag with solely your thermal underwear on.
- “Restrict degree” stands for the temperature when you need to use your sleeping bag whereas carrying some layers of additional garments. Sleeping luggage shouldn’t be utilized in circumstances past that temperature restrict.
- “Excessive degree” means the temperature at which a sleeping bag can be utilized as an emergency measure to avoid wasting a climber from hypothermia till the emergency providers arrive.
It is rather chilly at night time within the higher camps of Kilimanjaro. Thus, the consolation degree of your sleeping bag needs to be at the least -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 night time. Our Kilimanjaro advice is Lamina Z Blaze (Consolation Stage -15°F / -26°C) by Mountain Hardwear and The North Face sleeping luggage.
- Sleeping bag liner Non-obligatory
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 will likely be nice on your Kilimanjaro hike. liner can add from 3 to eight°C to your sleeping bag consolation degree, which lets you take your individual sleeping bag if it doesn’t match the -10°C consolation degree requirement.
- Inflatable pillow Non-obligatory
An inflatable pillow will likely be of nice use for individuals 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 gadgets Non-obligatory
Moist wipes will assist preserve private hygiene if you happen to determined to climb Kilimanjaro with out hiring a private transportable bathe. Take two packs – put a small one into your daypack to make use of on the best way, 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 medicine – it is best to positively convey any drugs chances are you’ll require comparable to nausea, headache, stomachache, and so on. Keep in mind that among the drugs which you can simply purchase within the dwelling international locations could be unavailable in Tanzania.
Non-obligatory Devices
A number of the devices that will likely be helpful in your Kilimanjaro journey are:
- Digital camera
The surroundings opening from Mt Kilimanjaro is actually spectacular! Taking nice photos is without doubt one of the most important causes folks join this journey. You could take a smartphone with an influence financial institution or a Go-Professional digicam with spare batteries to seize essentially the most improbable moments of your journey. - Energy banks
As stated above, in case you are taking any devices with you, taking an influence financial institution is a should. There aren’t any energy retailers on Kilimanjaro, and it’s the solely strategy to preserve your smartphone, e-reader or different units charged. - E-book
For individuals who wish to learn earlier than going to sleep, it’s a must-have merchandise within the packing record. - Mp3 Participant
This can make your Kilimanjaro Trek actually nice, particularly on the summit night time. Your favourite songs will definitely sustain your spirits and make the moments on the highest of Africa much more great. (Non-obligatory)
REMEMBER: Communal gear (tents, meals, utensils, and so on.) is supplied. You might be accountable for bringing the required, advisable and non-compulsory private gear and gear listed. The commonest mistake that climbers make is that they overpack. Be selective in what you are taking with you. Our porters are restricted to carrying 33 lbs. (15 kgs) of your belongings.
NOTE: This stuff may be rented on location – payable in USD money solely. There’s a common ban on plastic luggage in Tanzania, however Vacationers are permitted to make use of Ziploc-type luggage.
E book Your Mount Kilimanjaro Climb with Kili Climb Africa Safaris
As you put together on your Kilimanjaro journey, think about reserving your climb with Kili Climb Africa Safaris, one in every of Africa’s main journey specialists. With a status for reliability and a deep understanding of Western tradition and desires, Kili Climb Africa Safaris is dedicated to offering distinctive personalised providers at an reasonably priced funds.
Based by a workforce {of professional} safaris and mountain consultants, Kili Climb Africa Safaris presents genuine cultural experiences based mostly 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 actually unforgettable.
While you select Kili Climb Africa Safaris, you join instantly with educated guides who’re consultants within the locations you’ll discover. Whether or not you’re touring solo, with buddies, or as a household, we are able to customise a visit to fit your preferences and supply an genuine native expertise.
With climbs on numerous routes starting from 4 to 9 days, Kili Climb Africa Safaris ensures a secure, memorable, and rewarding journey to the summit of Kilimanjaro. E book 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:
