Planning to climb Kilimanjaro? You might be in for an actual journey! We have now accomplished lots of the high rated treks world wide, so learn on for a whole packing checklist and our ideas for reaching Uhuru Peak. Mount Kilimanjaro is the best mountain in Africa and reaching Uhuru Peak on the high is a difficult trek that may be accomplished by ascending varied routes. The seven summits are the best mountains of every of the seven continents and climbing all seven is a prestigious mountaineering problem to finish. Kilimanjaro is the seven summit mountain in Africa and can also be the world’s highest free-standing mountain at an altitude of 5895m. We have now performed two ‘seven summit ascends’, Kilimanjaro and Mount Elbrus in Russia, the best peak in Europe.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Climbing Kilimanjaro is commonly known as a trek since it’s not a technical ascend and mountaineering expertise usually are not required. Simply shy of 6000 m above sea degree it’s a severe mountain and a tricky climb, don’t underestimate Kili. Having the right gear is essential and can enable you to to achieve success to achieve the summit. Selecting the right route is essential. All routes usually are not the identical, the Marangu route has huts, whereas the opposite routes are performed tenting. The totally different routes have very totally different success charges. Not like different excessive altitude treks just like the trek to Everest Base Camp you aren’t allowed to climb Kilimanjaro independently, it’s important to do it with a licensed information and this could solely be performed by way of a trekking firm. Climbing Kilimanjaro is an costly enterprise, I’ll advocate you go together with a good firm, it’s safer and you should have quite a bit much less hassles. The common trek worth is $2000 to $4000. For an entire information on all routes, totally different packages and choices see our Information to Climbing Kilimanjaro.
Packing to Climb Kilimanjaro
Packing for climbing Kilimanjaro may be very totally different from packing for an extended unbiased trek. Regardless of which firm you employ you should have porters carrying gear, meals and water in the course of the trek. The crew usually consists of a number of porters carrying tents, baggage and kit, a prepare dinner and guides.
You’ll solely be carrying a daypack with issues like snacks, a rain jacket, and a digital camera. You could have the choice to lease all gear required for the trek from most operators and pay further per merchandise. Having your individual gear is certainly a safer choice to ensure you have high quality gear that matches correctly to maintain you snug, heat and dry, this is essential to make the trek extra fulfilling and can enable you to to get to the summit.
Most operators have all gear mandatory, so in case you neglect one thing you possibly can at all times lease it upon arrival. Our trekking firm gave us a guidelines and earlier than the trek our information went by way of all the pieces we filled with us.
You’ll have a bag along with your garments and kit carried by a porter and a daypack that you’ll carry. Further baggage might be left with the operator so it’s best to have a separate suitcase or bag to depart belongings not required on the trek.
Packing your Daypack for the Kilimanjaro trek
A small, good high quality mountaineering daypack with a raincover is good. The Osprey Stratos 24 Mountaineering Backpack is a fine quality mild weight, snug daypack with an hooked up cowl, inner hydration sleeve to accommodate a hydration pack and attachments for trekking poles and water bottles. The pack ought to have greater than sufficient packing area to operate as a daypack.
Rainjacket
Pack high quality wind and waterproof breathable hooded jacket – waterproof jacket girls or (males’s mannequin)
Rain poncho is a superb mild different to a rain jacket. A poncho that may match over you with a pack, small, mild will maintain you and your pack dry.
Water bottle
You will want sufficient water on a regular basis and carry a bottle in your daypack, the guides will offer you water on the best way to fill your bottle. Purchase a Nalgene, hottest, high quality water bottle for years.
A hydration bladder additionally works effectively to maintain you hydrated, Wacool, leakproof bladder it’s nice that you simply don’t have to cease or get assist to achieve your water and might simply sip on a regular basis on the best way, simply purchase a top quality bladder, in the event that they leak it’s a mess.
Buff
Implausible piece of clothes, the BUFF Multifunctional Headwear is nice for solar safety, I’ve one within the colours of my nation flag, cool for images on the summit!
Skinny gloves
I didn’t use gloves, solely on summit night time, however skinny fleece gloves might be helpful within the mornings whether it is chilly.
Sunscreen
Pack waterproof/sweat proof solar safety, I at all times have this Banana Boat extremely sport in my pack.
Cap/hat – a cap, or hat for solar safety is essential.
Sun shades
I’ll advocate sun shades for mountaineering within the mountains with excessive UV safety and polarized lenses.
Packing your Backpack for Climbing Kilimanjaro
Backpack
Your fundamental pack will likely be carried by a porter (until you insist on carrying it), they have a tendency to not put on the backpacks so a duffel bag is ideal, precisely what this one was made for The North Face Base Camp Duffel. Some corporations do offer you a duffel bag, so simply affirm this earlier than shopping for.
For an excellent backpack for mountaineering or touring, try these high quality twin function packs from Osprey. They open on the highest (trekking pack) and in entrance for straightforward entry to your gear.
Osprey Aeather 70L AG Rucksack or Ariel 65 girls’s model
Mountaineering boots/footwear
Put on footwear which can be snug, waterproof with good grip, nonetheless breathable and footwear I at all times go for well-known, high quality manufacturers.
Must you climb Mount Kilimanjaro in boots or footwear? I’ll advocate boots, however it’s only actually mandatory for summit night time. Many porters stroll in sneakers, however for mere mortals correct trekking footwear is crucial when it’s chilly, on summit night time you’ll be strolling in the dead of night on rocks, stones and possibly even snow. In case you don’t have mountaineering expertise I’d go for the next minimize for some ankle assist. Carrying merino wool socks in waterproof mountaineering footwear, the temperature shouldn’t be an issue.
Our favourite mountaineering boots is Salomon X ULTRA 3 MID GTX waterproof, Gortex boots. These footwear are wonderful, very mild and breathable. We have now walked in deep snow and scorching climates with ours and had been very completely satisfied. Girls – Salomon X ULTRA 3 MID GTX Girls
In case you desire to stroll in a low minimize mountaineering shoe I can advocate – Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof sturdy, waterproof, snug, have good grip. Alya walked greater than 3000 km in these nice Merrel’s. Columbia Dakota Drifter is one other good shoe that could be a bit cheaper.
Garments to Pack for Climbing Kilimanjaro
Layering is the time period for sporting a few layers of clothes, this makes it straightforward to regulate for temperature modifications. A number of skinny layers of breathable garments will maintain you hotter than one thick layer as a result of air is trapped between the layers bettering insulation and holding you heat.
Put on three layers; base, center and outer layer. Base layer (underwear) that wicks (attracts moisture away) sweat off your pores and skin an artificial materials that doesn’t take in moisture works effectively. Center layer is for insulation: retaining physique warmth. The Outer layer (the shell) have to be waterproof and windproof.
Trekking pants
Fast dry, mild mountaineering pants or within the wet season- hotter waterproof pants. For me I used to be very snug in trekking pants on a regular basis and mixed it with thermal underpants on summit night time. Girls pack trekking pants and yoga pants. Mild and extra snug.
Insulating Later
Fleece – Essential merchandise. I put on a fleece below my outer shell on chilly days. Test these fleeces for ladies they arrive in so many totally different colours.
The North Face stretch down jacket – mild to pack, very heat that is good to put on below a tough shell, rain jacket on summit night time and within the camp at night time. On excessive altitude hikes, the piece of clothes I put on most frequently.
Base Layer
Mountaineering shirt – I’ll advocate you don’t put on cotton, cotton garments get moist from sweating making it very chilly. Alya wears breathable, moisture wicking, fast dry T-shirts, packing an extended sleeve shirt and one quick sleeve T-shirt. I desire Columbia shirts, fast dry, protects in opposition to solar burn, straightforward to scrub.
Sport bras – they’re nice for mountaineering and outdoor, Alya says that she prefers sport bras over regular bras.
Thermal underwear – actually advocate to pack it with, you need to use thermals (males’s fashions) for sleeping and as an additional layer for mountaineering if it will get chilly. I at all times take regular cotton socks for sleeping as effectively.
Underwear – take two-three pairs with relying on a hike length.
Merino wool socks – work nice, at all times put on them for mountaineering. merino wool socks ; don’t take in odors, shield your toes, dry fast and really sturdy. For much more snug stroll examine Darn Powerful mountaineering socks they’re well-known for nice foot assist and blister safety. Alya likes their girls’ fashions; colourful and funky.
Beanie – since I don’t have a lot hair I usually put on a beanie.
Gloves – skinny fleece gloves or no gloves was good for me more often than not. For summit day I like to recommend a pair of winter ski gloves .
As an outer core layer
You possibly can put on a thick, waterproof jacket such because the North Face Nuptse Jacket, when climbing Mount Elbrus it was -20C. In case you do the trek within the chilly season this is perhaps mandatory. Girls Nuptse Jacket
Additionally try this superior new omni warmth know-how down jacket from Columbia; mild, versatile, waterproof.
Kilimanjaro Trek Equipment
Balaclava/ski masks I cherished sporting a ski masks on summit day, it was chilly!
Gaiters – Waterproof Windproof Heat Sneakers Cowl. Your footwear usually fill with water and particles from the highest. Maintain them dry and maintain snow, particles and mud out whereas mountaineering in any terrain or climate. Good on Kili when taking place on the skree floor, very helpful to navigate the free rocks.
Rock Down slippers – at all times good to take your footwear of after a day of trekking, you’ll love these superior down slippers Rock Dove Girls’s down Slipper
Trekking Poles – helps quite a bit on the down, much less influence in your knees and joints. On summit day in the course of the steep climb at excessive altitude you’ll be very completely satisfied that you simply packed these infants! Additionally nice in the course of the quick, steep descent over the slippery skreet.
TrailBuddy Mountaineering Sticks good worth, robust, effectively rated, aluminum mountaineering poles.
Excessive finish high quality Black Diamond Path Professional Shock Trekking Pole.
It will get very chilly in a tent at night time. Keep heat in sub zero temperatures. Down is superior, you gained’t remorse it! Kelty Cosmic 20 Diploma DriDown Sleeping Bag
Microfibre towels mild, fast dry, takes little area. Energetic Roots Microfiber Journey Towel
Journey moist wipes nice for laundry as a substitute of bathe whether it is chilly.
Electronics
It’s a good suggestion to maintain electronics to a minimal, however since we precisely report our journey we’re not too good on that time. Astray we’ve misplaced some gear on a few of our treks. Falling right into a river and taking my DSLR digital camera and lenses for a swim whereas trekking in Namibia was tragic.
Headlamp
In all probability an important piece of digital gear, ensure you trekking with a brand new set of batteries, one set ought to be greater than sufficient. A superb headlamp is essential for summit night time, you’ll be climbing in the dead of night for hours! Additionally in your tent and round camp at night time to not be left stranded in the dead of night. We have now been utilizing our Petzl’s for ages, Petzl Actic 300 Lumen waterproof headlamp
Digicam
There are improbable alternatives to take images on the mountain. I left the DSLR at residence and took easier gear. A superb choice for a lighter digital camera that takes nice images and video is the Canon G7x Digicam
In case you don’t need to fear about climate, the brand new Olympus Powerful is waterproof, shockproof and takes nice images and video, it’s made for this sort of motion.
The brand new Go Professional cameras take unreal movies and don’t underestimate the images you possibly can take with this magic little digital camera. We use our Go Professional for vlogging. The stabilization when taking video is improbable and the digital camera is nice for huge angle images. You’ll fall in love the brand new Go Professional Hero 9 it even has 2 screens, together with a entrance display screen to border selfie footage! The one detrimental in regards to the Go Professional is its low mild efficiency and most of summit day is in the dead of night, so that’s one thing to contemplate.
Kindle
I at all times take my kindle mountaineering, superior to learn for a few minutes within the tent earlier than falling asleep. The brand new Kindle Paperwhite has a backlight and is waterproof! Excellent for trekking.
Telephone
Your cellphone can also be an excellent device to pack for a digital camera, video games and extra. Try the Samsung Galaxy S10; lengthy battery life, good video stabilization, water-resistant.
Energy Financial institution
We at all times carry an influence financial institution to cost all our electronics with. This Fos Energy Financial institution is waterproof and shockproof.
Toiletries
Maintain it to the minimal, primarily stuff for solar safety and holding all the pieces clear.
- A bar of cleaning soap (we normally take a small resort cleaning soap or minimize a bit of a traditional bar).
- Hand Sanitizer, maintain it in your day pack if you wish to eat one thing or want the bathroom.
- Child wipes, very helpful for cleansing your arms, we use them at night time within the tent to scrub ourselves with if there isn’t any bathe, works very effectively, Alya at all times jokes that we do a ‘cat wash’.
- Sunblock SPF50, take one thing that’s water/sweat resistant, love Banana Boat Sport Sunblock.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste (nearly completed one)
First Assist Equipment
The trekking firm you go together with ought to pack a complete first support equipment and your information ought to be skilled in first support. Listed here are some necessities I at all times pack for prime altitude trekking.
- ache killers paracetemol/aspirin/ibuprofen
- imodium for an upset abdomen
- rehydrate hydration packs (isotonic drink powder) for if you find yourself dehydrated and helps with cramping
- Diamox
- Altitude RX Oxyboost Complicated for Mountain Illness – pure treatment stopping altitude illness, haven’t tried them, however examine 500 good evaluations.
- Plasters – take sufficient to cowl or forestall blisters. Compeed – a particular plaster which you could placed on blisters, it reduces the ache and protects in opposition to rubbing. There are particular blister prevention patches for footwear.
- Antiseptic/iodine.
Reserving to Climb Kilimanjaro
There are various choices to e-book and arrange your Kilimanjaro expedition. We talk about totally different choices intimately in our Climb Kilimanjaro Information. Assist an organization that could be a KPAP (Kilimanjaro Porters Help Undertaking) associate, checking that the crew is handled accurately and never exploited. Additionally examine that the company has an in date TALA trekking license and skim TripAdvisor and Fb evaluations.
There are various native and worldwide corporations providing Kilimanjaro expeditions. Respected worldwide corporations G-Adventures and Intrepid journey supply a number of Kilimanjaro treks beginning at about $2100 it’s doable to mix the trek with their Africa overland truck excursions.
In case you are planning to climb Kili and figuring out your funds, bear in mind to arrange to pay a ten% tip on your porter and information workforce, talk about any reservations you might need forward along with your trekking firm. I’m certain you’ll love climbing Kilimanjaro!