The hardest part in planning a trip to a location that you know nothing about is deciding what equipment to bring, and also what not to bring.
Good equipment is vital to a safe and enjoyable climb. Sure, in superb weather conditions you could climb the mountain in a pair of old trainers, your oldest pair of long trousers and with a couple of sweaters thrown in you will only suffer badly during the last night of the ascent. However, let the weather change for the worse, a couple of hours driving rain soon after setting off from the Horombo area, and you could be dead from hypothermia very rapidly.
SUGGESTED LOWER MONTANE FOREST CLOTHING:
Starting out, you will be in synthetic or fleece shorts, a polyester T-Shirt, sock liners with synthetic would hiking / trekking socks, and heavy-duty hiking boots.
SUGGESTED UPPER MONTANE FOREST CLOTHING:
Rain is common, so Gore-Tex jacket and pants are required. A cape is needed to protect the head from the sun. Sun block and lip balm are musts – as are bug repellent, water bottles and a water purifier.
SUGGESTED HEATH AND MOORLAND CLOTHING:
A polypro long underwear top and bottom beneath shorts and a T-Shirt is recommended.
As a suggestion during the trek, a fleece vest or jacket must be kept at ready pauses during the climb. Gaiters are essential through the wet, knee-high grasses at this elevation.
SUGGESTED ALPINE DESERT CLOTHING:
Fleece pants will warm you during the windy nights, which follow the summer-ice days at this zone. A warm sleeping bag will keep you warm for those few hours you get to sleep before making an attempt at the top.
SUGGESTED SUMMIT CLOTHING:
Polypro long, a fleece middle, and Gore-Tez outer.
A balaclava and warm hat will protect the head and line gloves, wind stopper gloves and over mitts protect your hands.
Because the summit attempt day begins at around midnight or 1:0 a.m., you will need a headlamp.
Glacier glasses will keep you from snow blindness when you reach those snows of Mount Kilimanjaro.
As you can see above, because you move from the Africa jungle to Arctic tundra in a matter of days, you need many different types of clothing.
You go from dressing in shorts and T-Shirts that are wringing wet with sweat to a layering system topped off by Gore-Tex to endure winds that push the chilly air well below zero degrees.
You will require the correct underwear, thermal hiking socks, gloves (preferably mittens), warm head protection, rain coat, sunglasses and sun protection cream. Also remember your hiking boots, hiking/running shoes (it is not necessary to walk with boots or climbers shoes until the last sections where scree and rocks are encountered), and very importantly, a walking stick / ski-pole. One of the most critical items of clothing is a an outer jacket.You want it to perform the functions of keeping you warm, protect you at temperatures of as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius, keep the wind out and yet still “breath”. Try to avoid tight fitting clothing or underwear. This will hamper circulation, causing either cold or discomfort on the mountain. A balaclava will protect your face against cold, wind, sun and snow. Other clothing like shorts, sweaters and T-shirts are strongly recommended, especially during hiking on the lower slopes, when the day temperatures are still high.
The only way to ensure that you are dressed warmly is to follow the principal of wearing the correct clothing layers, starting from against the body. A common mistake made by climbers is to wear almost everything they have and to start off with cotton against the skin. Cotton absorbs moisture perfectly, and moisture trapped against the skin will result in a definite lowering of the body temperature, which could even lead to hypothermia. It is therefore very important to use proper thermal underwear with “wicking” properties (a fabric which has the ability to draw moisture away from the body) and thus enabling it to evaporate to the outside. The middle layer should provide the insulation and a product like polar fleece will be adequate in this regard. The outer layer should be windproof, waterproof and breathable. Products like Ventex, Gore-Tex or Jeantex offer these properties. Short of altitude and physical exertion, cold is one of the most serious obstacles when attempting to summit Kilimanjaro.
FOR THE HEAD :
Hat
The higher you ascend the more the suns rays burn. Something that shades your eyes is best.
Balaclava
…or ski mask made from some type of insulated material with just an opening for your eyes and nose. You will need it for the final ascent.
Sunglasses
A good pair, necessary for both the desert area and for snow blindness at the summit.
FOR THE UPPER BODY :
T-Shirts
Take one for every day you intend to be on the mountain, and one more, just in case.
Upper Clothing
Polo neck long sleeves loose are best, as the thin layers trap air which insulates you. Also bring at least one woolen or fleece jumper.
Jacket
As good as you can afford. There are many insulated materials that are good, Polertex, Gortex/Ventex. Get one that can pack easily with big pockets and a covered zip area. Waterproof is good but not essential. All these features will be appreciated at 4am when you are climbing to the summit
Rain Gear
Simple lightweight rain suit for the rain forest and in case it snows later on. The waterproof leggings will also shield your legs from the wind at the summit.
Gloves
As waterproof and as wind proof as possible. Ski gloves are good.
FOR THE LOWER BODY :
Underwear
A change for every day. Even though it’s cold you’ll still sweat which makes climbing uncomfortable.
Thermal Underwear
A pair of long-johns. If you can’t find any, a pair of elastic leggings does the same thing – nobody’s going to see them
Shorts
Light jogging shorts are necessary for the first days.
Pants
Trousers or track-suit pants – anything except jeans. Jeans hold the cold close to your body and give off heat very quickly. Also, if they get wet, they are very slow to dry.
Rain Pants
Bring a good pair of rain pants of Gore-Tex or other waterproof material. Try to get a pair that are wind-proof too.
FOR THE FEET :
Socks
Two pairs of light
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