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 position in guaranteeing your security and luxury all through the expedition.
So, what tools do it’s essential to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
On this complete information, we’ll break down the important gear it’s essential to pack on your Kilimanjaro journey, together with must-have gadgets, elective equipment, and ideas for profiting from your tools.
What Gear Do You Have to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
With the proper gear and preparation, you’ll be able to sort out the problem of Mount Kilimanjaro and create lasting reminiscences of a lifetime. Keep 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 listing:
Luggage
- A hydration bladder (or “camel bag”) is very really helpful for this journey. In case your daypack is suitable with one, having one will certainly add consolation to your trek. You have 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 (elective). A extremely really helpful merchandise that makes it snug to get your whole gear sorted inside a duffle bag. Additionally, utilizing such organizers is useful for retaining soiled and moist garments aside from the clear ones.
Footwear is without doubt one of the most vital gadgets in your Kilimanjaro pack listing. That is the place you ought to be significantly attentive and selective. Selecting your climbing boots and/or sneakers is a activity of supreme significance. A flawed alternative right here can lead to damaged toenails, corns and blisters. For this journey you will have high-quality climbing boots, trekking sneakers (elective) and trekking socks.
Mountain climbing boots
Selecting acceptable climbing boots might be of utmost significance. There are lots of choices in the marketplace, and generally it‟s onerous to seek out the proper one. Ideally, your 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 vital within the summit space in case you climb Kilimanjaro through the wet season. Sporting high-quality trekking socks will present additional safety, so it’s all the time really helpful to have a pair.
Ideally, laces ought to get mounted to the pace hooks for higher consolation and safety. It’s critically vital 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. Due to this fact, it’s extremely really helpful so that you can put on your boots for about 5-6 days earlier than the beginning of the trek. It’s critically vital to interrupt in your boots earlier than the beginning of your Kilimanjaro journey. You need to take at the very least two lengthy hikes to get them prepared.
The manufacturers of climbing boots that we advocate embody: La Sportiva, Zamberlan, The North Face, merles, Asolo, Salomon and Scarpa. Any of those manufacturers will likely be excellent for Kilimanjaro.
- Sneakers Elective
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 a substitute of trainers. On the next days, after arriving at your camp, you’ll in all probability wish 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 may retain sweat and offer you blisters. In distinction, woolen socks are an excellent choice for Kilimanjaro – they may guarantee quick and efficient wicking. A model to select from is Bridgedale.
- Thermal socks Elective
Thermal socks are elective, however extremely really helpful, particularly for climbs through the summer season months. There are a whole lot of manufacturers obtainable in the marketplace. Those with flat seams, not manufactured from cotton, will go well with completely! Merino wool is a good various.
- Gaiters Elective
Using 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 usually 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 tools classes, Kilimanjaro headgear has each necessary and elective gadgets.
- Solar hat
A solar hat is a will need to have in your packing listing. 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 increased elevation you’ll begin feeling chilly, so as a way to preserve your head and ears heat you will have an excellent beanie. It ought to be heat sufficient for the low temperatures and snowy situations of the summit space.
- Balaclava Elective
Balaclava is a helpful resolution for hikers who’re significantly 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 can 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 resolution towards mud.
- Sun shades
Relating 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 degree UV radiation is far increased 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 called snow blindness. It is vitally harmful and will trigger everlasting harm to your imaginative and prescient. Thus, ensure 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 no headlamp. Firstly, you’ll want it for transferring across the camp after sundown when discovering your tent can grow to be fairly a activity. Moreover, in case you resolve to go to the toilet at night time with no headlamp on, you would come upon the tent ropes. Secondly, a headlamp will likely be obligatory through the summit. Usually, hikers begin at midnight, aiming to achieve Uhuru Peak by dawn. So a headlamp will likely be a fantastic assist in seeing the trail.
Please take note of the next factors whereas selecting a headlamp on your journey:
- Examine the standard of sunshine. The brighter your headlamp, the extra appropriate it’s for the trek. Optimally, the sunshine output ought to be increased than 90-100 lumens and the beam distance ought to be at the very least 40-50 m.
- Purchase good batteries. Ideally, the lively mode ought 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 pinnacle, it ought to be comparatively gentle. 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 retailers on Kilimanjaro to recharge them.
PETZL gives good choices – verify them out.
Trekking poles
Trekking poles are a extremely really helpful 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 typical every 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 assist you to maintain steadiness, 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 affect of a prolonged hike on joints, since a part of your weight will likely be moved upon your palms 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 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 manufactured 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, keep in mind that the trekking poles ought to match your top. Other than adjustable fashions, there are particular fashions for tall individuals and for youths.
Black Diamond is thought for having the best assortment of trekking poles. Good trekking poles are precisely what it’s essential to reduce the affect of a prolonged hike in your knees and joints.
Gloves You’ll need two sorts of gloves for this journey – gentle inside gloves and hotter outer gloves for the summit night time. Each sorts of gloves are important on your Kilimanjaro journey.
Light-weight gloves are supposed to preserve 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. Internal gloves ought to be manufactured from good-quality supplies, the perfect 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 night time. 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 can 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 likely be obligatory 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 sporting 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 avoid wasting a climber from hypothermia till the emergency companies arrive.
It is vitally chilly at night time within the higher camps of Kilimanjaro. Thus, the consolation degree of your sleeping bag ought to be at the very 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 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 suggestion is Lamina Z Blaze (Consolation Stage -15°F / -26°C) by Mountain Hardwear and The North Face sleeping luggage.
- Sleeping bag liner Elective
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 personal sleeping bag if it doesn’t match the -10°C consolation degree requirement.
- Inflatable pillow Elective
An inflatable pillow will likely be of nice use for individuals who like studying in a tent. On the similar time, nonetheless, you might put your again pack or some garments beneath your head to make an improvised pillow.
- Private & Medical gadgets Elective
Moist wipes will assist keep 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 components of your palms and face will simply get sunburnt. Private treatment – it is best to positively carry any medication you might require comparable to nausea, headache, stomachache, and many others. Do not forget that a number of the capsules that you may simply purchase within the residence nations could be unavailable in Tanzania.
Elective Devices
A number of the devices that will likely be helpful in your Kilimanjaro journey are:
- Digicam
The surroundings opening from Mt Kilimanjaro is really spectacular! Taking nice photos is without doubt one of the foremost causes individuals join this journey. It’s possible you’ll take a smartphone with an influence financial institution or a Go-Professional digicam with spare batteries to seize essentially the most unbelievable moments of your journey. - Energy banks
As mentioned 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 approach to preserve your smartphone, e-reader or different gadgets 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 night time. Your favourite songs will definitely sustain your spirits and make the moments on the highest of Africa much more great. (Elective)
REMEMBER: Communal tools (tents, meals, utensils, and many others.) is offered. You’re accountable for bringing the required, really helpful and elective private gear and tools 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 could 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 on your Kilimanjaro journey, take into account reserving your climb with Kili Climb Africa Safaris, one in every of Africa’s main journey specialists. With a fame for reliability and a deep understanding of Western tradition and wishes, Kili Climb Africa Safaris is dedicated to offering distinctive customized companies at an reasonably priced price range.
Based by a group {of professional} safaris and mountain consultants, Kili Climb Africa Safaris affords genuine cultural experiences primarily based 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 immediately with educated guides who’re consultants 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 ebook your Kilimanjaro Climb: