The number one question I get asked after someone decides to go on an epic trip with me is: "WHAT DO I PACK?"
For some trips this question is answered quite simply, but for other trips (like climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro), I need to go into some detail.
Summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro is a unique journey to pack for because of the four different climates that you will encounter on the way up the mountain. These zones are categorized as Tropical Rainforest Zone, the Moorland Zone, the Alpine Desert Zone, and the Arctic Zone. Each zone has different temperature ranges and weather patterns which will impact what you will need for each zone.
It's said that the journey up Mt. Kilimanjaro is like traveling from the amazon rainforest to the arctic tundra in one journey!
The Tropical Rainforest Zone has midday temperatures ranging from 70-90 F during the day and 40-60 F during the night.
Once you enter the Moorland Zone you can expect temperatures to start dropping a bit with ranges of 50-80 F during the day and 30-60 F at night.
As you ascend higher and higher, of course the weather continues to get colder. The Alpine Desert Zone has average daily temperatures of 10-60 F during day and 10-40 F during the night.
The Alpine Summit Zone is where things really start to cool off! On the night of your summit you can expect very cold temperatures of -15-20 F during the night and 10-40 F once the sun appears. Many summit journeys start in the middle of the night so that you can reach the summit by sunrise. Because of this, It's important to prepare for the coldest range of these temperatures. It's better to be too warm and shed some layers than to be cold and not have additional layers to put on.
Depending on what time of year you're climbing the mountain, you should come prepared for some form of precipitation. Rain, snow, and even hail can occur during your journey and it's important to have waterproof gear to keep you warm and dry.
Below is a list of gear that you will need in order to successfully summit Mt. Kilimanjaro. This gear should (more or less) be appropriate for summiting any time of year.
Gear for Mt. Kilimanjaro
Baselayers
Let's start with the first layer on your skin--base layers. Of course you'll need several sets of underwear (I'll let you handle that one), but after that you need a good set of base layers. These are sometimes called "long johns". I highly recommend getting a fitted long sleeve, and a pair of long johns or long underwear that are made of wool. Wool is an incredibly effective material for outdoor adventures for several reasons.
It has properties that keep you warm when it's cold out, but can also keep you cool when it's hot out so it is highly functional and serves dual functions.
It is fast drying which can help keep you comfortable in extreme weather, and can also prevent hypothermia.
It is a naturally antimicrobial material which translates to "it won't get stinky". This can make your packing more efficient.
If you are allergic to wool there are some fantastic synthetic substitutes available. Remember that base layers should be slightly form fitting. You don't want them too loose and baggy, but you don't want them suction tight either. Base layers that are an appropriately snug fit have the best warming capabilities. I've linked three wool base layer brands that I love below:
Pants
There are several types of pants that you will want to have with you. The first being trekking pants. Trekking pants are just functional hiking pants. You will want hiking pants that give you good rang of motion, are water resistant, and tear resistant. You also want them to be comfortable to wear. This may take some hunting on your part, because not all pants will work for everyone. I'll link a few types of trekking pants that I love below.
I love both of these pants because they are water resistant, stretchy (without losing their shape), tear resistant, and both have buttons AND a draw string waist for maximum adjustments. For men, my husband really loves hiking in these pants for similar reasons although they don't have a drawstring waist (sad, I know).
You'll also need rain shell pants for added waterproofing in case of a real downpour. These are always good to have in your bag just in case. I recommend the Gore-Tex Xero Dry pants from REI.
Considering the temperature at the summit, it is also wise to bring a pair of ski pants or snow pants. These will be helpful if the summit night is particularly cold. Having a pair of pants that will be warm enough for temperatures near zero will be critical for your comfort.
You may also consider bringing a pair of hiking shorts for your journey. The first day or two will be quite warm and you might enjoy hiking in shorts. Many hiking pants have a roll-up option, so you might elect to just bring hiking pants. This choice is up to you!
Jackets
Fleece Jackets:
There are a few different types of jackets that will help you along your journey to the summit.
A fleece jacket is critical as a mid-layer. After you have your warm, wool base layers on, a fleece mid-layer is important. Fleece is a very warm insulator, and pairing it with a wool base layer can ensure your comfort on the mountain. I've attached some fantastic fleece mid-layer jackets to consider.
Rain Jackets:
Similar to the rain shell pants, a rain jacket is very important during your climb. There could be precipitation at any moment on the mountain and having a waterproof jacket is critical to keep you warm and dry. I strongly recommend rain jackets that are Gore-Tex because of their improved breathability and exceptional waterproofing capabilities.
Down Jacket/Warm Jacket
It shouldn't come as a shock to you that you're going to need a warm jacket for your mountain summit experience. Down is preferred and you're going to want a jacket that will keep you warm in temperatures as low as -15 F at the summit. Some climbers will elect to get a 3-in-1 jacket (sometimes called a ski coat) that has a down inner layer, as well as a waterproof and windproof outer layer. Others will choose to bring a down jacket appropriate for very low temperatures and then pair that down jacket with their rain jacket for added protection.
Whichever you choose to do, just be prepared for very cold summiting temperatures! Again, it's better to be too warm than not warm enough.
Footwear
If your feet are miserable, YOU will be miserable. Caring for your feet should be one of your main priorities on any trail, but especially on a mountain summit experience! For this journey you're going to need a good pair of hiking boots. Some may argue that trail runners or a good pair of hiking tennis shoes will suffice...and they're perfectly able to have that opinion...AND I disagree. I recommend a good pair of hiking boots that are mid-rise, meaning that they are over the ankle bone. I wont offer too many specific examples of what hiking boots you should wear because boot fitting is highly personal. Go to your local REI or outdoor outfitter and try some boots on. If you're curious what I wear just for reference, I hike in these two boots:
In addition to a good pair of hiking boots, you may want a pair of camp shoes. Camp shoes are useful when you have hiked a long day and you're relaxing at camp. You won't want to wear your hiking boots constantly, and it will be important to let your feet breathe. A good pair of camp shoes can solve this problem for you! I wear a fuzz lined croc as my camp shoes, but you can wear whatever will keep your feet warm and comfy at camp.
Now that we have your shoes taken care of, let's talk about socks. I highly recommend wool hiking socks for the same reason that I recommend wool base layers. The antimicrobial properties along with the insulation make wool an excellent fabric for hiking socks. They also come in a wide variety of thicknesses for any adventure. Make sure your socks come up higher than the edge of your hiking boots to protect your ankle and help prevent any rubbing of your boot. You'll want to bring several pairs of hiking socks and at least two pairs just for sleeping in or wearing at camp.
A pair of gaiters can help keep your hiking pants extra dry and prevent tears or snags around your ankles. They can also improve waterproofing of your outerwear which will keep you even more dry and warm. Gaiters are not a requirement to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, but they are highly recommended.
Hands
You're going to need to protect your hands from the elements. You'll need a pair of gloves that are waterproof and can keep your hands warm in the freezing temperatures of summit day. It is important that the gloves are waterproof. If moisture penetrates your gloves, your hands will be VERY cold and unhappy.
Sleeping
You'll need a sleeping bag whether you're taking a route that has tent accommodations or mountain hut accommodations. Both journeys require a sleeping bag. In the mountain huts (like on the Marangu Route) there is no electricity, so nights can still be very cold. Most trekking companies offer sleeping bag rentals if you don't want to bring a large sleeping bag in your luggage. However, if you do prefer to bring your own, make sure it's rated for four seasons or down to 0 F. A sleeping bag liner can be a way to increase the warmth and insulation of your bag, or help you feel more "separate" from a sleeping bag that you've rented if that makes you more comfortable.
An inflatable pillow is also required and I LOVE the Fillow from Nemo! Link here: Fillo Pillow
It's lightweight, it packs down really small, and it has a foam and air component for maximum comfort. Highly recommended.
You may also want to bring earplugs and eye covers for sleeping. Whether you're in tents or in mountain huts, sleeping in a new environment (especially at altitude) can disrupt your sleep cycle. Help yourself get a better nights rest by blocking out any excess noise and light.
Headgear
Headgear for this journey is fairly simple. You'll need a sunhat or cap to protect you from the intense sun you can experience at high altitudes. You'll want to have some sunglasses handy for the same reason. You'll also want a neck warmer, and a beanie or balaclava to keep your head and face warm during summit day. You'll also need a headlamp for the summit night trek. Black diamond has some fantastic headlamps and you may want to bring extra batteries for your headlamp. Headlamps above 400 lumens should be enough for a journey like this.
Packs/Bags
For our Kilimanjaro trek we will have porters assisting us with our gear and food. This means we need to bring a duffel bag between 90-120L for them to carry. I like the Big Haul Duffel from REI.
Since the majority of your gear will be carried by porters, you will need a simple daypack preferably with water reservoir capabilities. Typically day packs range in size from 20-35 liters and I don't recommend carrying more than that. See my blog post about packs for more info about pack sizing and recommendations.
You also may want to have some travel organizing squares for inside your bags. This can help keep you organized and make your packing more efficient. You may want to consider bringing waterproof stuff sacks to organize your clothes and gear in. This gives an added layer of protection against rain, snow and hail.
You'll want to bring a water bladder or water reservoir. I recommend bringing a reservoir that is 2-3 L. You can always choose not to fill all the way if it is too heavy, but you'd rather have too much water holding capabilities than too little.
Miscellaneous
There are a few items that don't exactly fit into a category, but they are important nonetheless! These items include:
Personal medical needs
Sunscreen
Personal toiletries
Camera
Power bank(s)
Trekking Poles
Chapstick
Think of anything that you might need at elevation and be sure to bring it! The journey will be a tough one and you don't want to forget anything that might help your journey be more enjoyable. That is not to say that you should overpack, but remembering something as simple as chapstick can make a world of a difference. Bringing some personal toiletries, wet wipes, toothpaste and Advil will help you feel like a new person after a day of hiking. You'll want a camera and/or a power bank to make sure your phone is charged for pictures.
Trekking poles are an important addition to your gear. They are not required but are highly recommend and I'd say that most people who hike with trekking poles are glad that they have them. You can always rent them once you're there, or bring your own. Keep in mind that trekking poles cannot be stowed in a carry on when you fly!
Packing for a big adventure trip can be stressful even for very experienced hikers. Just remember that we all start somewhere and that all of the pre-planning stress will all be worth it in the end. Being fully equipped for a journey can vastly improve your experience. I hope that this gear list and recommendations helps you pack for your journey to the summit of Africa's tallest mountain.
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