Embarking on the journey to summit Mount Kilimanjaro is a dream for a lot of adventurers, however the precise 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 function in making certain your security and luxury all through the expedition.
So, what gear do you want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
On this complete information, we’ll break down the important gear you want to pack on your Kilimanjaro journey, together with must-have gadgets, elective equipment, and ideas for benefiting from your gear.
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What Tools Do You Have to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
With the precise gear and preparation, you’ll be able to deal with the problem of Mount Kilimanjaro and create lasting reminiscences of a lifetime. Keep 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:
Luggage
- 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 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 night time. 1.5—and 2-litre variations will likely be excellent on your journey.
- Journey bag organizers (elective). A extremely advisable merchandise that makes it snug to get your whole gear sorted inside a duffle bag. Additionally, utilizing such organizers is useful for holding soiled and moist garments other than the clear ones.
Footwear is likely one of the most necessary gadgets in your Kilimanjaro pack record. That is the place you ought to be notably attentive and selective. Selecting your climbing boots and/or sneakers is a process of supreme significance. A incorrect alternative right here can lead to damaged toenails, corns and blisters. For this journey you have to 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 available on the market, and generally it‟s arduous to search out the precise one. Ideally, your climbing boots ought to meet the next standards:
- Boots ought to have good ankle help.
- Boots needs to be of medium weight.
- In fact, your boots needs to be waterproof to maintain your toes dry all the best way as much as the highest. It’s particularly necessary within the summit space if you happen to climb Kilimanjaro throughout the wet season. Carrying high-quality trekking socks will present additional safety, so it’s at all times advisable to have a pair.
Ideally, laces ought to get mounted 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. Due to this fact, 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 at the 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 Non-compulsory
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 climbing boots and let your toes relaxation. That’s when sneakers would possibly 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 may retain sweat and provide you with blisters. In distinction, woolen socks are a great possibility for Kilimanjaro – they may guarantee quick and efficient wicking. A model to select from is Bridgedale.
- Thermal socks Non-compulsory
Thermal socks are elective, however extremely advisable, particularly for climbs throughout the summer season months. There are numerous manufacturers out there available on the market. Those with flat seams, not made from cotton, will go well with completely! Merino wool is a superb different.
- Gaiters Non-compulsory
Using gaiters on Kilimanjaro isn’t obligatory, however throughout the wet season they’re completely indispensable to stop mud, snow or pebbles from getting contained in the boots.
Hikers typically assume that gaiters are of little worth. And but, they do assist to maintain your trekking pants and boots clear throughout 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 gear classes, Kilimanjaro headgear has each obligatory and elective gadgets.
- 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 with a view to hold your head and ears heat you have to a great beanie. It needs to be heat sufficient for the low temperatures and snowy situations of the summit space.
- Balaclava Non-compulsory
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 night time. It’s unlikely that you may be utilizing it anyplace else.
- Neck hotter Non-compulsory
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 towards 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 degree UV radiation is far greater than at sea degree. Secondly, when selecting sun shades, it’s 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’s best to put your sun shades on even whether it is cloudy. In any other case, you would possibly develop a situation often known as snow blindness. It is vitally harmful and will trigger everlasting injury to your imaginative and prescient. Thus, make sure 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 develop into fairly a process. Moreover, if you happen to determine to go to the lavatory at night time with out a headlamp on, you can encounter the tent ropes. Secondly, a headlamp will likely be obligatory throughout the summit. Usually, hikers begin at midnight, aiming to succeed in Uhuru Peak by dawn. So a headlamp will likely be a terrific assist in seeing the trail.
Please take note of the next factors whereas selecting a headlamp on 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 at the least 40-50 m.
- Purchase good batteries. Ideally, the energetic 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 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 – examine 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 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 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 decrease the affect 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 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 mild. Sturdiness additionally issues—they need to have the ability to endure prolonged hikes.
- As for supplies, aluminum is probably the most optimum possibility to make the poles sturdy. Additionally, examine the grip supplies – in a high-quality pair of poles, grips are made from cork or foam. Cork is at all times a greater possibility, because it feels extra snug 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. 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 you want to decrease the affect of a prolonged hike in your knees and joints.
Gloves You’ll need two varieties of gloves for this journey – mild internal gloves and hotter outer gloves for the summit night time. Each varieties of gloves are important on your Kilimanjaro journey.
Light-weight gloves are supposed to hold 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. Inside gloves needs to be made from 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 snug to make use of. Mittens are higher – the summit often takes round eight hours, and on a regular basis you may 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
Regardless of which season you’re climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, a sleeping bag will likely be obligatory 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 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 use your sleeping bag whereas carrying some layers of additional garments. Sleeping baggage 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 needs to be at the 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 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 suggestion is Lamina Z Blaze (Consolation Degree -15°F / -26°C) by Mountain Hardwear and The North Face sleeping baggage.
- Sleeping bag liner Non-compulsory
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. A superb liner can add from 3 to eight°C to your sleeping bag consolation degree, which lets you take your individual sleeping bag if it doesn’t match the -10°C consolation degree requirement.
- Inflatable pillow Non-compulsory
An inflatable pillow will likely 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 below your head to make an improvised pillow.
- Private & Medical gadgets Non-compulsory
Moist wipes will assist preserve private hygiene if you happen to 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 best way, 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 medicine – it’s best to positively convey any drugs it’s possible you’ll require reminiscent of nausea, headache, stomachache, and many others. Keep in mind that a few of the tablets that you would be able to simply purchase within the residence nations is likely to be unavailable in Tanzania.
Non-compulsory 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 footage is likely one of the primary causes folks join this journey. It’s possible you’ll take a smartphone with an influence financial institution or a Go-Professional digital camera with spare batteries to seize probably the most unbelievable 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 retailers on Kilimanjaro, and it’s the solely strategy 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 may make your Kilimanjaro Trek really 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-compulsory)
REMEMBER: Communal gear (tents, meals, utensils, and many others.) is supplied. You might be answerable for bringing the required, advisable and elective private gear and gear listed. The commonest 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: This stuff will 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.
Guide 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, certainly one of Africa’s main journey specialists. With a popularity for reliability and a deep understanding of Western tradition and wishes, Kili Climb Africa Safaris is dedicated to offering distinctive customized companies at an inexpensive price range.
Based by a crew {of professional} safaris and mountain specialists, Kili Climb Africa Safaris provides 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 really unforgettable.
While 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 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 secure, memorable, and rewarding journey to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Guide your journey with us and embark on the expertise of a lifetime.
Get in contact with Kili Climb Africa Safaris to guide your Kilimanjaro Climb: