Mt. Kilimanjaro Gear
Should you use trekking poles? Can you rent gear in Moshi? Are gaiters good to have? All these questions and more can be answered in the Kilimanjaro Gear section.
Compression Sacks for Mount Kilimanjaro
When you are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, you should have one waterproof duffel bag to pack all your gear (this is not including your day pack). Since mountaineering generally requires many different types of clothes and equipment, you probably will have too much gear, clothes, food and extra things to bring. It always happens.
How do you solve this?
The trick to packing tons of mountaineering gear into a very small place is compression sacks. Compression sacks are a space saving crutch - and great way to utilize space while bringing all the important gear. Seperate from my boots and my …
Date: February 12th, 2006 |
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Renting Gear for Climbing Kilimanjaro
A number of travelers - usually backpackers - show up in Tanzania, thinking they can purchase trekking gear for climbing on the mountain. Unlike Nepal, where you can purchase jackets, hats, gloves, boots, and thermal underwear, Tanzania isn’t a mountain community and therefore doesn’t have gear readily available. Much of Tanzania is very hot and since most of the locals never climb the mountains, and many tourists bring there own gear, there isn’t much of market for renting sleeping bags and other gear.
If you do show up in Tanzania with limited gear and need to find something, here are …
Date: December 2nd, 2005 |
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Kilimanjaro Packing List
Here is the new updated packing list for climbing Kilimanjaro. Obviously you can make changes on this packing list to suite your needs, but this is general overview of most everything you should have.
Clothing
- 2 synthetic shirts, long sleeve
- 2 synthetic t-shirts
- 2 pairs of synthetic hiking shorts
- 1 pair of synthetic trekking pants
- 1 pair of warmer hiking pants
- 1 or 2 pairs of fleece long underwear/ trousers
- 1 pair of leg gaiters
- 1 pair of socks per trekking day, with at least 2 pairs of lighter (synthetic) socks and 3 pairs of heavy wool/synthetic blend
- 1 pair of underwear per day
- 1 warm fleece jacket
- 1 goretex rain/wind shell
- 1 pair of goretex rain/wind pants
- 1 poncho
- 1 fleece sweater
- 1 pair of fleece glove liners.
- 1 pair of cold weather gloves or mittens
- 1 pair of light windproof gloves
- 1 warm hat
- 1 sun hat
- 1 balaclava
- 1 pair trekking boots (medium weight, waterproof)
- 1 pair of walking/camp shoes
- 1 pair UV-blocking sunglasses with side-gussets
Date: November 21st, 2005 |
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Prepare for the Worst
Like most mountains of the world, the weather on mountains are subject to extreme weather conditions. This extreme conditions - like snow, ice, wind, hail - can happen in the warmest, best times of year. Some weather analysts say that, due to global warming, extreme weather conditions happen more frequently now in places like Kilimanjaro, since it’s on the equator and subject to minor changes in the environment.
Traditionally February is the best time of year for climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro - that said, I have seen snow storms that last for days. I have seen 10 days of rain in the …
Date: October 31st, 2005 |
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Rain Gear in the Dry Season?
In the official two best-times-to-climb “dry seasons” on Mt. Kilimanjaro, many people wonder if you should you still bring rain gear?
This is a good question, as a number of people think that the dry season means it will be nice and dry all the way up the mountain. While this is true for much of the lowlands around Kilimanjaro, the dry season up on the mountain doesn’t always hold true. Mountains are subject to intense weather changes and pattens. That said, even in the middle of the summer, Kilimanjaro can get the occasional snow storm, rain storm …
Date: October 14th, 2005 |
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Good Tents - Make Sure You Have Them
How can you tell a good mountaineering company from a bad one? Ask the company about their tents and request to see them if possible. While climbing on Mt. Kilimanjaro, you should have good four-season waterproof tents, with a good rain fly and hopefully a nice vestibule to store your dirty boots and bag.
If you don’t have a solid tent, you are going to be miserable on the mountain - there is often heavy rain, storms, and gnarly wind. The last thing you need is a cheap tent - one that is beat up, with a zipper that doesn’t …
Date: February 7th, 2006 |
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Oxygen on Kilimanjaro
Most companies DO NOT carry any form of oxygen on Kilimanjaro. You will occasionally see some high-end foreign companies - those that charge $5,000 per person - bring up oxygen for their rich clients that pay HUGE money to climb the mountain. Out of the 25,000 people that climb Kilimanjaro every year, only a small handful would have oxygen tanks available. All 98 percent of local companies do not have oxygen for their clients.
Date: November 29th, 2005 |
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Plastic Bags - Bring em!
One of the best piece of gear on Mt. Kilimanjaro, something that most people forget, is big durable plastic bags with a seal. Plastic bags are a great way to ensure that your clothes will stay dry on the mountain. Even though you have a great backpack or duffel bag, there is bad weather, rain and mud, on Mt. Kilimanjaro, Over time, it will seap into your bag during your climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro.
One of the best ways to protect your clothing is to put each piece of clothing item inside it’s own durable plastic bag. Line your duffel with …
Date: November 18th, 2005 |
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Waterproof Duffel
While many people bring backpacks to Mt. Kilimanjaro, there are also some other bags that work well for going up the mountain. The North Face Base Camp Duffel is my personal favorite - and works well because it’s waterproof and very durable with great straps. You can also use the North Face Duffel on other types of expeditions, like rafting or desert trips. Take into consideration these types of waterproof duffels are not good for backpacking, but they are good for carrying gear up the mountain and on safari. They do have backpack straps, without a hip strap, so you can carry them on your back if needed. But I wouldn’t backpack with it for multiple days.
Date: October 28th, 2005 |
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Drinking Water
You will need a lot of water on Kilimanjaro. Not only will you need water for making your food, but also for drinking each day while on the trail. Make sure to bring either a hydration pack and two nalgene type bottles.
Water on the mountain, above the villages and into the Kilimanjaro National Park, which sits at 6000 ft, has been tested and it’s fine for drinking. It’s good to be cautious, especially in regards to water in Africa.
Here are the different options to treat the water:
Date: October 4th, 2005 |
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