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 position in guaranteeing your security and luxury all through the expedition.
So, what tools do that you must climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
On this complete information, we’ll break down the important gear that you must pack in your Kilimanjaro journey, together with must-have objects, non-obligatory equipment, and ideas for taking advantage of your tools.
What Gear 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 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 listing:
Luggage
- A hydration bladder (or “camel bag”) is very advisable for this journey. In case your daypack is appropriate with one, having one will certainly add consolation to your trek. You have to be very cautious and select solely high-quality fashions. Be sure that the pipe is insulated; in any other case, it would freeze on the summit evening. 1.5—and 2-litre variations will likely be good in your journey.
- Journey bag organizers (non-obligatory). A extremely advisable merchandise that makes it snug to get your entire gear sorted inside a duffle bag. Additionally, utilizing such organizers is useful for protecting soiled and moist garments aside from the clear ones.
Footwear is among the most necessary objects in your Kilimanjaro pack listing. That is the place try to be notably attentive and selective. Selecting your mountain climbing boots and/or sneakers is a process of supreme significance. A unsuitable alternative right here can lead to damaged toenails, corns and blisters. For this journey you have to high-quality mountain climbing boots, trekking sneakers (non-obligatory) and trekking socks.
Climbing boots
Selecting applicable mountain climbing boots might be of utmost significance. There are various choices available on the market, and typically it‟s exhausting to search out the fitting one. Ideally, your mountain 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 toes dry all the way in which as much as the highest. It’s particularly necessary 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 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 necessary 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 necessary to interrupt in your boots earlier than the beginning of your Kilimanjaro journey. You need to take a minimum of two lengthy hikes to get them prepared.
The manufacturers of mountain climbing boots that we advocate embrace: La Sportiva, Zamberlan, The North Face, merles, Asolo, Salomon and Scarpa. Any of those manufacturers will likely be good for Kilimanjaro.
- Sneakers Optionally available
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 an alternative of shoes. On the next days, after arriving at your camp, you’ll most likely need to take off your mountain climbing boots and let your toes relaxation. That’s when sneakers may turn out to be useful. They’ll be good 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 are going to retain sweat and provide you with blisters. In distinction, woolen socks are a great choice for Kilimanjaro – they are going to guarantee quick and efficient wicking. A model to select from is Bridgedale.
- Thermal socks Optionally available
Thermal socks are non-obligatory, however extremely advisable, particularly for climbs through the summer time months. There are lots of manufacturers accessible available on the market. Those with flat seams, not fabricated from cotton, will swimsuit completely! Merino wool is a good different.
- Gaiters Optionally available
Using gaiters on Kilimanjaro just isn’t obligatory, however through the wet season they’re completely indispensable to stop 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 through 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 tools classes, Kilimanjaro headgear has each obligatory and non-obligatory objects.
- Solar hat
A solar hat is a will need to have in your packing listing. Ideally, it also needs to have a neck cowl (like this one). This headgear will defend your face from sunburns and overheating.
- Beanie
Taking a beanie is important for this journey. At increased elevation you’ll begin feeling chilly, so with the intention to maintain your head and ears heat you have to a great beanie. It needs to be heat sufficient for the low temperatures and snowy circumstances of the summit space.
- Balaclava Optionally available
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 evening. It’s unlikely that you’ll be utilizing it wherever 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 great resolution in opposition to mud.
- Sun shades
In relation 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 increased than at sea stage. Secondly, when selecting sun shades, it is best to do not forget that snow within the summit space displays mild, 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 harm to your imaginative and prescient. Thus, be sure 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 process. Moreover, if you happen to determine to go to the toilet at evening with out a headlamp on, you could possibly come upon the tent ropes. Secondly, a headlamp will likely be vital through 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 in your journey:
- Test the standard of sunshine. The brighter your headlamp, the extra appropriate it’s for the trek. Optimally, the sunshine output needs to be increased than 90-100 lumens and the beam distance needs to be a minimum of 40-50 m.
- Purchase good batteries. Ideally, the lively 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 top, it needs to be comparatively mild. 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 – verify them out.
Trekking poles
Trekking poles are a extremely advisable merchandise in your Kilimanjaro packing listing, 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 common each day mountain 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 allow you to to maintain stability, 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 reduce the influence of a prolonged hike on joints, since a part of your weight will likely be moved upon your arms 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 mild. Sturdiness additionally issues—they need to have the ability to endure prolonged hikes.
- As for supplies, aluminum is essentially the most optimum choice to make the poles sturdy. Additionally, verify the grip supplies – in a high-quality pair of poles, grips are fabricated from cork or foam. Cork is all the time a greater choice, because it feels extra snug within the palm and doesn’t harm the palm pores and skin.
- Additionally, do not forget that the trekking poles ought to match your top. 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 that you must reduce the influence of a prolonged hike in your knees and joints.
Gloves You will want two varieties of gloves for this journey – mild inside 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 arms 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. Interior gloves needs to be fabricated from good-quality supplies, the very best choices being wool, polartec or synthetics. Keep away from shopping for cotton gloves—they don’t seem to be 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 snug to make use of. Mittens are higher – the summit often takes round eight hours, and on a regular basis you’ll be holding trekking poles in your arms. 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’re climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, a sleeping bag will likely be vital 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 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 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 stage” 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 evening within the higher camps of Kilimanjaro. Thus, the consolation stage of your sleeping bag needs 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 scorching 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 Degree -15°F / -26°C) by Mountain Hardwear and The North Face sleeping luggage.
- 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 will likely be nice in your Kilimanjaro hike. A very good liner can add from 3 to eight°C to your sleeping bag consolation stage, which allows you to take your individual sleeping bag if it doesn’t match the -10°C consolation stage requirement.
- Inflatable pillow Optionally available
An inflatable pillow will likely be of nice use for many who like studying in a tent. On the identical time, nevertheless, you might put your again pack or some garments below 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 arms and face will simply get sunburnt. Private remedy – it is best to positively deliver any drugs you might require similar to nausea, headache, stomachache, and many others. Keep in mind that a few of the drugs which you could simply purchase within the residence international locations is likely to be unavailable in Tanzania.
Optionally available 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 really spectacular! Taking nice photos is among the predominant causes folks join this journey. You could take a smartphone with an influence financial institution or a Go-Professional digital camera with spare batteries to seize essentially the most implausible 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 strategy 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 listing. - Mp3 Participant
It will make your Kilimanjaro Trek actually 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 tools (tents, meals, utensils, and many others.) is offered. You might be accountable for bringing the required, advisable and non-obligatory private gear and tools listed. The most typical 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: These things might 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.
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 repute for reliability and a deep understanding of Western tradition and desires, Kili Climb Africa Safaris is dedicated to offering distinctive customized providers at an inexpensive finances.
Based by a group {of professional} safaris and mountain specialists, Kili Climb Africa Safaris gives genuine cultural experiences based mostly on native information 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 immediately with educated guides who’re specialists within the locations you’ll discover. Whether or not you’re touring solo, with mates, 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:
