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Climbing check list

Climbers coming to take on Mt. Kilimanjaro either overpack and bring unnecessary, expensive equipment or under pack and don’t bring enough to stay warm!

The proper equipment and clothing are essential to making your climb successful and enjoyable. No specialist equipment is needed to climb most routes (except for the Western Breach) so the list isn’t too complicated and most will probably have what they need at home already, especially if they live in colder climates.

If you do not have certain clothing or equipment, it can be rented easily from us. Just let us know what you need and we can send a rental price list for reference!

Please see the packing list below to use as a guide when shopping or packing in preparation of your trip. The weather on the mountain changes as you gain altitude and also throughout the day.

We recommend wearing clothes that are easily layered so they can be removed as you are hiking and put back on for breaks, lunches or at camp. We also recommend carrying a waterproof jacket and pants in your daypack incase it starts raining during the day while hiking.

Note: waterproof duffle bag will be provided to put your rucksack in but it is still a good idea to put your stuff into plastic bags.

  • Put hot water in a metal water bottle. Put it inside your sleeping bag to keep your warm at night
  • Drink a lot of water – prevents headaches and helps with altitude sickness
  • Eat enough food even when you have appetite as you may lose it with increased altitude
  • Bring wipes to clean with when you don’t feel like showing in the water basin
  • Walk upright, not on an angle, as it will help you not being out of breath
  • Walk slowly even if you have the energy to walk faster
  • Make sure your boots are broken in
  • Wear a lot of sunscreen (and Vaseline) to prevent your lips and nose from getting burnt and frost bitten
  • Do some hiking and squats before your trip to get your legs ready
  • Read up on Mt. Kilimanjaro and the beauties of Tanzania
  • Scan and e-mail yourself a copy of your passport and visa if applicable
  • You can bring your phone as there are some spots on Kilimanjaro where phone and internet connection is available

CLOTHING

  • Waterproof/windproof jacket and pants
  • Down Jacket for summit night
  • Snow pants for summit night (not always necessary)
  • Long sleeve shirts
  • Fleece jumper
  • Fleece jacket
  • Fleece trousers
  • Thin sweaters
  • Thermal shirt
  • Thermal Leggings
  • Woolly/fleece hat
  • Balaclava
  • Comfortable hiking pants
  • T-shirts for the first day
  • Warm hat for summit night
  • Gloves/Glove liners
  • Gaiters (Not always necessary)
  • Clothing to sleep in – comfortable pants and shirts

FOOTWEAR

  • Hiking boots – make sure they fit well and are worn in
  • Running shoes or comfortable shoes to wear at camp or on the first day
  • Enough pairs of warm, wool socks to last for the hike (Bring extras incase it rains! Sometimes putting on a fresh pair of socks at camp can make you feel better too after having your hiking boots on all day)

SLEEPING EQUIPMENT

  • 4 season sleeping bag
  • Sleeping bag liner
  • Sleeping mat (Provided by Bless Africa and included in the price – if you have your own you want to bring, that is fine!)
  • Inflatable pillow (not necessary but some people like to bring them)

SUN PROTECTION

  • Sunscreen (Very important! The sun is very strong on the mountain, even when cold. We recommend carrying sunscreen in your daypack)
  • Chapstick with SPF
  • Sunglasses
  • After sun moisturizer (Lotion with Aloe)
  • A hat for sun protection

FIRST-AID KIT

  • Please note that the trekking crew will have first aid kits with them for emergencies. This is just for you to bring in case you want anything extra.
  • Pain-relievers
  • Anti-diarrhea tablets
  • Rehydration Salts
  • Band-aids and other dressings like moleskin for blisters
  • Personal medication you usually take including Malaria Medication (Please let us know if you are taking medication during the climb!)
  • Diamox (Used as a prophylaxis for altitude sickness. Not all climbers take Diamox and it is not necessary to take for a successful summit. Let us know if you are interested in learning more about Diamox or if you are thinking of taking it as we will have to monitor the side effects of the medication)

OTHER ITEMS

  • Bug spray
  • A quick-dry camping towel
  • Reusable Water Bottles (They will be filled at each camp/lunch spot with filtered water. You should bring enough bottles so that you can drink 3L a day)
  • Water purification tablets
  • Trekking Poles (optional but recommended for descent)
  • Day pack to carry waterproof clothes, sunscreen, snacks, etc
  • Larger rucksack for your clothes and other item for porters to carry
  • Wet-wipes &Toilet paper and small plastic/ziploc bags
  • Large plastic/ziploc bags to keep things dry inside your bag
  • Headlamp and extra batteries (used on summit night)
  • Camera
  • Snacks – energy bars, chocolate, drink powders, nuts, etc
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