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 battle. From hydration options to protecting headgear, every merchandise performs an important function in guaranteeing your security and luxury all through the expedition.
So, what gear do it is advisable to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
On this complete information, we’ll break down the important gear it is advisable to pack in your Kilimanjaro journey, together with must-have objects, optionally available equipment, and suggestions for benefiting from your gear.
What Tools Do You Have to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
With the proper gear and preparation, you’ll be able to deal with 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 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 need to be very cautious and select solely high-quality fashions. Ensure that the pipe is insulated; in any other case, it’d freeze on the summit night time. 1.5—and 2-litre variations might be good in your journey.
- Journey bag organizers (optionally available). 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 holding soiled and moist garments aside from the clear ones.
Footwear is likely one of the most necessary objects in your Kilimanjaro pack record. That is the place you need to be notably attentive and selective. Selecting your mountain climbing boots and/or sneakers is a job of supreme significance. A improper alternative right here can lead to damaged toenails, corns and blisters. For this journey you will want high-quality mountain climbing boots, trekking sneakers (optionally available) and trekking socks.
Climbing boots
Selecting acceptable mountain climbing boots might be of utmost significance. There are various choices available on the market, and generally it‟s onerous to seek out the proper one. Ideally, your mountain climbing boots ought to meet the next standards:
- Boots ought to have good ankle help.
- Boots needs to be of medium weight.
- After all, your boots needs to be waterproof to maintain your ft dry all the way in which as much as the highest. It’s particularly necessary within the summit space in case you climb Kilimanjaro through the wet season. Carrying high-quality trekking socks will present further safety, so it’s all the time advisable to have a pair.
Ideally, laces ought to get mounted to the velocity 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. It’s best to take no less than 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 might be good for Kilimanjaro.
- Sneakers Elective
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 trainers. On the next days, after arriving at your camp, you’ll most likely 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 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’ll retain sweat and offer you blisters. In distinction, woolen socks are an excellent possibility for Kilimanjaro – they’ll guarantee quick and efficient wicking. A model to select from is Bridgedale.
- Thermal socks Elective
Thermal socks are optionally available, however extremely advisable, particularly for climbs through the summer time months. There are plenty of manufacturers out there available on the market. Those with flat seams, not product of cotton, will swimsuit completely! Merino wool is a superb various.
- Gaiters Elective
The usage of gaiters on Kilimanjaro is just not necessary, 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 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 optionally available objects.
- Solar hat
A solar hat is a will need to have in your packing record. 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 greater elevation you’ll begin feeling chilly, so so as to hold your head and ears heat you will want an excellent beanie. It needs to be heat sufficient for the low temperatures and snowy situations of the summit space.
- Balaclava Elective
Balaclava is a useful answer for hikers who’re notably inclined 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’ll be utilizing it anyplace else.
- Neck hotter Elective
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 an excellent answer towards mud.
- Sun shades
In terms 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 stage UV radiation is far greater 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 further 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 that 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 shifting across the camp after sundown when discovering your tent can grow to be fairly a job. Moreover, in case you resolve to go to the toilet at night time with no headlamp on, you would bump into the tent ropes. Secondly, a headlamp might be needed through the summit. Usually, hikers begin at midnight, aiming to achieve Uhuru Peak by dawn. So a headlamp might be an awesome assist in seeing the trail.
Please take note of the next factors whereas selecting a headlamp in 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 greater than 90-100 lumens and the beam distance needs to be no less than 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 purchase 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 take into account something above 120 g.
- Keep away from shopping for headlamps with rechargeable batteries. Their battery life is far shorter, and, most significantly, there aren’t any energy shops on Kilimanjaro to recharge them.
PETZL gives good choices – test 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 common every 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 make it easier to to maintain steadiness, including two further 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 impression of a prolonged hike on joints, since a part of your weight might be moved upon your palms and again, relieving your knees and different joints from further 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 probably the most optimum possibility to make the poles sturdy. Additionally, test the grip supplies – in a high-quality pair of poles, grips are product of cork or foam. Cork is all the time a greater possibility, because it feels extra comfy within the palm and doesn’t harm 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 youths.
Black Diamond is understood for having the best assortment of trekking poles. Good trekking poles are precisely what it is advisable to decrease the impression of a prolonged hike in your knees and joints.
Gloves You’ll need two kinds of gloves for this journey – mild inside gloves and hotter outer gloves for the summit night time. Each kinds 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. Interior gloves needs to be product of good-quality supplies, the very 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 might 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 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 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 rather chilly at night time within the higher camps of Kilimanjaro. Thus, the consolation stage of your sleeping bag needs to be no less than -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 scorching 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 Degree -15°F / -26°C) by Mountain Hardwear and The North Face sleeping baggage.
- Sleeping bag liner Elective
A sleeping bag liner will add further heat on the ultimate days of your climb. Mummy-shaped liners are higher than rectangular ones. Both a fleece or an insulated liner might be nice in your Kilimanjaro hike. A great 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 Elective
An inflatable pillow might be of nice use for individuals who like studying in a tent. On the similar time, nonetheless, chances are you’ll put your again pack or some garments beneath your head to make an improvised pillow.
- Private & Medical objects Elective
Moist wipes will assist preserve private hygiene in case you 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 treatment – it is best to positively convey any medication chances are you’ll require akin to nausea, headache, stomachache, and many others. Do not forget that a number of the drugs which you can simply purchase within the residence nations may be unavailable in Tanzania.
Elective Devices
A number of the devices that might be helpful in your Kilimanjaro journey are:
- Digicam
The surroundings opening from Mt Kilimanjaro is actually spectacular! Taking nice photos is likely one of the most important causes individuals join this journey. Chances are you’ll take a smartphone with an influence financial institution or a Go-Professional digital camera with spare batteries to seize probably the most incredible moments of your journey. - Energy banks
As stated above, if you’re taking any devices with you, taking an influence financial institution is a should. There aren’t any energy shops on Kilimanjaro, and it’s the solely solution to hold 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 fantastic. (Elective)
REMEMBER: Communal gear (tents, meals, utensils, and many others.) is supplied. You might be chargeable for bringing the required, advisable and optionally available private gear and gear listed. The most typical 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: These things might 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.
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, one among 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 personalised companies at an reasonably priced funds.
Based by a workforce {of professional} safaris and mountain consultants, Kili Climb Africa Safaris provides genuine cultural experiences primarily based 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.
Once you select Kili Climb Africa Safaris, you join immediately 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 will 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 protected, 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:
