Embarking on the journey to summit Mount Kilimanjaro is a dream for a lot of adventurers, however the proper gear could make all of the distinction between a profitable climb and a difficult wrestle. From hydration options to protecting headgear, every merchandise performs a vital position in making certain your security and luxury all through the expedition.
So, what gear 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 gadgets, non-compulsory equipment, and ideas for benefiting from your gear.
What Tools Do You Must Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
With the proper gear and preparation, you’ll be able to deal with the problem of Mount Kilimanjaro and create lasting reminiscences of a lifetime. Bear in mind, whereas it’s important to pack correctly, keep away from overpacking to stick to weight limits imposed by porters.
Right here’s our full Kilimanjaro gear record:
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. Try to be very cautious and select solely high-quality fashions. Guarantee that the pipe is insulated; in any other case, it would freeze on the summit night time. 1.5—and 2-litre variations will probably be excellent in your journey.
- Journey bag organizers (non-compulsory). A extremely advisable merchandise that makes it comfy to get all your gear sorted inside a duffle bag. Additionally, utilizing such organizers is useful for maintaining soiled and moist garments aside from the clear ones.
Footwear is among the most essential gadgets in your Kilimanjaro pack record. That is the place you have to be significantly attentive and selective. Selecting your mountain climbing boots and/or sneakers is a job of supreme significance. A mistaken selection right here may end up in damaged toenails, corns and blisters. For this journey you’ll need high-quality mountain climbing boots, trekking sneakers (non-compulsory) and trekking socks.
Climbing boots
Selecting acceptable mountain climbing boots might be of utmost significance. There are numerous choices in the marketplace, and generally it‟s onerous to search out the proper one. Ideally, your mountain climbing boots ought to meet the next standards:
- Boots ought to have good ankle help.
- Boots ought to be of medium weight.
- In fact, your boots ought to be waterproof to maintain your ft dry all the way in which as much as the highest. It’s particularly essential within the summit space for those who climb Kilimanjaro in the course of the wet season. Sporting 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. You need to take a minimum of two lengthy hikes to get them prepared.
The manufacturers of mountain climbing boots that we suggest embrace: La Sportiva, Zamberlan, The North Face, merles, Asolo, Salomon and Scarpa. Any of those manufacturers will probably be excellent for Kilimanjaro.
- Sneakers Non-obligatory
On some routes, the primary days of your hike received’t be very steep, making it doable to make use of easy trekking sneakers as an alternative of shoes. On the next days, after arriving at your camp, you’ll in all probability wish to take off your mountain climbing boots and let your ft 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’ll retain sweat and offer you blisters. In distinction, woolen socks are choice 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 season months. There are lots of manufacturers out there in the marketplace. Those with flat seams, not manufactured from cotton, will go well with completely! Merino wool is a good different.
- Gaiters Non-obligatory
Using gaiters on Kilimanjaro just 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 usually assume 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 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 obligatory and non-compulsory gadgets.
- Solar hat
A solar hat is a should have in your packing record. Ideally, it must also have a neck cowl (like this one). This headgear will shield your face from sunburns and overheating.
- Beanie
Taking a beanie is critical for this journey. At greater elevation you’ll begin feeling chilly, so as a way to hold your head and ears heat you’ll need beanie. It ought to be heat sufficient for the low temperatures and snowy situations of the summit space.
- Balaclava Non-obligatory
Balaclava is a useful resolution for hikers who’re significantly prone to chilly temperatures. A woolen balaclava will shield your chin, nostril, cheeks and brow from wind on the summit night time. It’s unlikely that you’ll 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
In relation to sunglasses, 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 greater than at sea degree. Secondly, when selecting sun shades, you need 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, you need to put your sun shades on even whether it is cloudy. In any other case, you may develop a situation generally known as snow blindness. It is rather harmful and will trigger everlasting injury to your imaginative and prescient. Thus, ensure that 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 transferring across the camp after sundown when discovering your tent can turn into fairly a job. Apart from, for those who resolve to go to the toilet at night time with out a headlamp on, you may encounter the tent ropes. Secondly, a headlamp will probably 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 probably be an important 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 buy it right here.
- Lastly, your headlamp shouldn’t be too heavy. Since it’s worn on the top, it ought to be comparatively mild. Thus, don’t take into account something above 120 g.
- Keep away from shopping for headlamps with rechargeable batteries. Their battery life is way shorter, and, most significantly, there are not any energy shops on Kilimanjaro to recharge them.
PETZL offers good choices – check 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 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 enable you to to maintain stability, including two additional supporting factors. The hikers additionally say that the trekking poles are useful 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 reduce the influence of a prolonged hike on joints, since a part of your weight will probably be moved upon your palms 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 be capable 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 manufactured from cork or foam. Cork is all the time a greater choice, 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 top. Other than adjustable fashions, there are particular fashions for tall folks and for teenagers.
Black Diamond is thought 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’ll need two varieties of gloves for this journey – mild inside gloves and hotter outer gloves for the summit night time. Each varieties of gloves are important in your Kilimanjaro journey.
Light-weight gloves are supposed to hold your palms 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, one of the best 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’ll be holding trekking poles in your palms. 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 might be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, a sleeping bag will probably be needed 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 degree” means the temperature at which you’ll be able to sleep comfortably in your sleeping bag with solely your thermal underwear on.
- “Restrict degree” stands for the temperature when you should utilize your sleeping bag whereas carrying some layers of additional garments. Sleeping luggage shouldn’t be utilized in situations past that temperature restrict.
- “Excessive degree” 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 providers arrive.
It is rather chilly at night time within the higher camps of Kilimanjaro. Thus, the consolation degree of your sleeping bag ought to be a minimum of -10°C / 14°F. If you may 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 probably be nice in your Kilimanjaro hike. liner can add from 3 to eight°C to your sleeping bag consolation degree, which allows you to take your individual sleeping bag if it doesn’t match the -10°C consolation degree requirement.
- Inflatable pillow Non-obligatory
An inflatable pillow will probably be of nice use for many who like studying in a tent. On the similar time, nevertheless, it’s possible you’ll put your again pack or some garments underneath your head to make an improvised pillow.
- Private & Medical gadgets Non-obligatory
Moist wipes will assist keep private hygiene for those who 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 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 elements of your palms and face will simply get sunburnt. Private medicine – you need to positively convey any drugs it’s possible you’ll require equivalent to nausea, headache, stomachache, and so forth. Keep in mind that a number of the tablets that you could simply purchase within the dwelling nations may be unavailable in Tanzania.
Non-obligatory Devices
Among the devices that will probably be helpful in your Kilimanjaro journey are:
- Digital camera
The surroundings opening from Mt Kilimanjaro is actually spectacular! Taking nice photos is among the fundamental 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 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 shops on Kilimanjaro, and it’s the solely approach to hold your smartphone, e-reader or different units charged. - E-book
For individuals who prefer 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 forth.) is offered. You might be chargeable for bringing the required, advisable and non-compulsory private gear and gear 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 will be rented on location – payable in USD money solely. There’s a basic 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 in your Kilimanjaro journey, take into account reserving your climb with Kili Climb Africa Safaris, certainly one 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 inexpensive funds.
Based by a group {of professional} safaris and mountain specialists, Kili Climb Africa Safaris gives 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.
Once you select Kili Climb Africa Safaris, you join instantly 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 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:
