Gear Check List
Mountain climbing in
Kilimanjaro requires planning
Mountain climbing in Kilimanjaro requires careful planning and thorough preparation. From head to toe, climbers must be equipped with the right gear to face varying altitudes, temperatures, and weather conditions. Essential items include layered clothing for warmth and moisture management, durable and waterproof outerwear, and insulated gloves and boots to withstand freezing summit nights.
Headgear
- Sun hat (Wide Brim) x 1
- Knit hat y 1
- Balaclava or buff (Face Coverage) x 1
Clothing
- Waterproof trousers x1 (side-zipper recommended)
- -Walking trousers x 1 or 2 (convertible to shorts recommended)
- Thermal trousers y 1
- Shorts y 1
- Waterproof jacket with hood x 1 (ideally lightweight in case you need to use it on a lower elevation when it’s warm)
- Insulated jacket x1 (synthetic recommended because they dry quicker if you sweat)
- Soft jacket, soft-shell or fleece x 2
- Thermal long-sleeve shirt x 2
- Thermal short sleeve shirt x 2
- Comfortable underwear and sports bra (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
- Long underwear × 1 (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
Hand wear
- Ski/Waterproof gloves x 1
- Thin lining layer glove × 1 (synthetic recommended, worn under ski/waterproof gloves for added warmth)
Foot wear
- Walking boots x 1 (well-worn in, warm, waterproof)
- Running shoes to wear at camp x 1 (optional)
- Socks, thick, wool or synthetic x 2
- Sock Liners, tight, thin, synthetic x 3
- Gaiters, waterproof × 1 (optional)
Equipment
- Large rucksack (NOT SUITCASE) × 1 (for porters carry most of your kit in – they carry this on their head, so nothing hard, please)
- Day pack (comfortable small rucksack in which your waterproofs, water, medical kit, and packed lunch)
- Sleeping bag x 1 (this must be suitable for low temperatures)
- Sleeping bag liner for added warmth x 1 (optional)
- Walking poles (recommended, very useful, especially coming down)
- Head torch, with extra batteries x 1 (you will be walking in the dark during summit night)
Accessories
- Good Sunglasses x1
- Water bottle x 1
- Water bladder, Camelback type x 1 (optional)
- Vacuum insulated water bottle for hot drinks x 1 (optional; it helps you to stay warm during summit night)
- Backpack cover, waterproof × 1 (optional)
- Poncho, during rainy season × 1 (optional)
- Towel, lightweight, quick-dry x 1 (optional)
- Stuff sacks or plastic bags of various sizes to keep gear dry and separate
Other
- Sun cream
- Lip balm
- Toiletries
- Face/wet wipes and basic wash kit (you won’t get a lot of access to water)
- Hand sanitizes
- Toilet paper
- Insect repellent
- Personal basic first aid kit
- Any personal medication or otherwise advised by your doctor
- Camera with extra batteries (optional)
- Snacks (optional; Jerry Babies are great & as cereal bars and chocolate)
- Music (optional, great for last night on the way to the summit)
- Diary and/or reading book (optional, 1 max)
- Passport
- Visa
- Immunization
- Insurance documents
- Cash for personal expenses – please bring US Dollars issued after 2006; otherwise, normally not accepted
