Kilimanjaro is something many people desire to summit. It resides high on many bucket lists. The IDEA of climbing this fabled mountain is a fanciful and wonderful one. The reality can sometimes be very different. As stated in my other articles on this subject it isn’t an easy effort and it takes training and discipline. It also takes something else…. equipment. I searched packing lists high and low, scouring every site I could find that offered suggestions. In truth what you pack and what you carry are very personal decisions. That being said here is a very detailed and complete list of the things I actually brought with me and where I bought them. I did already have a lot of these things from previous adventures and the cost will add up very quickly if you try to purchase everything. I would recommend that you rent high quality equipment if you can from your trekking company. As a general rule you should rent things that you won’t use again.
Welcome to Kilimanjaro!
* = things I didn’t use
^ = things I think you should rent
@ = things I carried in my backpack
Sleeping Equipment:
^ Big Agnes Lost dog 0 sleeping bag BigAgnes
^ Big Agnes Q-Core SLX sleeping pad BigAgnes
Big Agnes AXL air pillow BigAgnes
Sea to Summit Ultra-SIL Compression Sack 20l Amazon
Thermorest NeoAir Mini air pump REI
* Sea to Summit Coolmax Adapter Insect Shield Amazon
Warm Gear:
You can make some great friends along the way!
@ Arc’teryx Beta AR pants Amazon
@ Arc’teryx Beta AR jacket Amazom
Arc’treyx Cerium LT hoodie jacket Amazon
Outdoor Research Gators Amazon
@ Achiou Winter Warm touchscreen gloves Amazon
Fleece lined shell mittens Amazon
Lowa Camino GTX Boots REI
Superfeet Trailblazer boot insert REI
Fleece Hat REI
Black diamond spot headlamp REI
Backpack/Water Storage:
@ Black Hydration Pack Neoprene Insulated drink tube cover (36 Inches) Amazon
@ Osprey Talon 33 Backcountry.com
@ Osprey 3L hydraulics resavor Backcountry.com
@ 40oz waterproof stuff sack REI
Hydroflask 18oz big mouth Hydrofalask.com
* Hydroflask 40oz big mouth Hydroflask.com
Miscellaneous Personal Items:
All of my equipment pre-trek
* Repel 100 Insect Repellent 10z Amazon
@ Banana Boat Sunscreen 3oz SPF 30 Amazon
Colgate Optic White 3oz Toothpaste Amazon
Fordable toothbrush Walmart
* Hothands Hand warmers x5 Amazon
@ Hand Sanatizer Walmart
Dude Wipes Walmart
Deodorant/Antiperspirant Walmart
* Moleskin blister pads Walmart
* Fabric Band aids Walmart
* Imodium AD Walmart
* Pepto bismal tablets Walmart
* Bleed stop powder Walmart
@ Biodegradable Toilet Paper Walmart
Diamox pills Keiser
^ Jublo Shield Black/Black Zerbra Jublo
@ Corded earbud headphones Amazon
Backpacking Hot Sauce REI
Snacks:
@ 5x Big 100 Metrx Protein bars (only carried 1 a day) Walmart
@ 3x Cliffblocks (only carried 1 a day) REI
6x powdered pedialite Walmart
* 5x spark energy powder drink mix Amazon
Porter Bag:
Aquaquest Rogue Dry Bag 100oz Amazon
Clothing
I must have weighed my things 100 times before leaving.
DarnTough coolmax Boot full cushion socks x2 Amazon
DarnTough Mountaineering micro crew extra cushion x1 Amazon
6x C9 Champian athletic underwear Target
3x C9 Champian athletic short sleeve shirts Target
1x C9 Champion athletic thermal pants Target
1x C9 Champion athletic thermal shirt Target
2x Eddie Bower first assent convertible pants Eddie Bower
1x North Face convertible pants Amazon
1x Fleece sweat pants Amazon
@ 1x Henly Waffle shirt Target
lightweight camp shoes Merril
Gadgets/Camera
@ Nikon V3 Amazon
* USB charger for V3 batteries Amazon
Spare Nikon battery x2 Amazon
Google Pixel 2 Google
RavPower battery bank Amazon
Energizer Ultimate Lithiam AAAx8 Walmart
This is a complete list of the items I took. Can you get away with less? ABSOLUTELY! I have several creature comforts, more clothing that I actually need (I mean really you could get by with only one change of clothing), my nice camera, and other things. Also some of the things I didn’t use doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bring them. For instance band aids, moleskin, and Imodium.
Remember that there are many offerings of the same items from different vendors. Make sure you don’t buy the very cheapest things you can or you’ll regret their quality. The last thing you want is for something to fail on summit night. Commit to the things you buy, practice with them, and never look back! You’re going to do great!
Last day! It takes 64 staff to support a group of 18!
Thanks, it is good to have a guide for what to bring if I ever attempt something this HUGE. I have done some short day hikes in Colorado where I had trouble with the even lower altitude because of my heart. Something like this would be EXTREME and probably my last trip on earth. At least I would go out with an ‘African Mountain High,’ to the tune of John Denver’s, ‘Rocky Mountain High.’