Pack for your climb with a 0°F-rated sleeping bag, full-length inflatable pad, and water purification. Bring 3 plastic water bottles, sunglasses, toiletries, sunscreen, insect repellent, towel, headlamp, trekking poles, gaiters, and money belt. Include a personal first aid kit and consider optional items like a pillow, rope, umbrella, and watch.
- Sleeping bag (rated for 0 degrees F)
- Sleeping pad (inflatable pad) – full length is best for insulation from the cold ground. Keep in mind that we do provide a closed-cell foam mattress pad, but this is not a comfort pad…only a thermal pad to keep you off the cold ground.
- Water purification. Water on the climb is taken directly from mountain streams. (See the section Health and Logistics, under “Drinking Water” for details)
- Plastic water bottles – (3) (1 litre-capacity “Nalgene” or other top-quality brand that can contain hot liquids as well. Wide mouth bottles are preferred by most trekkers. As you near the summit, keep your water close to your body, which will prevent it from freezing)
An option here is to purchase a hydration system like a “Camelback”, with water pouch & hose. It can free up your hands. If you do this, you should still bring at least two bottles in your daypack to refill your pouch, and ensure that you’re getting your daily 4-5 litres of liquid. You may need to abandon this system as you approach the summit. The hoses, even when insulated, freeze quickly. One way to minimize this problem is to remove the mouthpiece each time you take a drink, and blow the water back into the reservoir, which will keep the hose free of water. There will be some residual water that freezes near the mouthpiece, which will require that you bite the hose to break up the ice to free the flow of water.
Note: In freezing conditions, your water bottles will freeze on the top first. If you store your water bottles upside down (making sure that it’s closed tightly), you’ll be able to drink your water even with the freezing process underway. It’s better yet to use warm or hot water in your water bottles (and/or camelback) before your treks in freezing weather. You are much more likely to drink warm water than freezing-cold water.
- Mountaineering sunglasses (with 100% UV screening and side gussets; retainer straps are helpful).
- Toilet kit (toothbrush and paste, biodegradable soap, small packets of tissues, moist towelettes or baby-wipes).
- Toilet paper (1-2 rolls) and many re-sealable plastic bags (for carrying used paper back to camp for proper disposal). Note that we provide toilet paper on all treks, but it’s helpful to have your own for toilet trips on the trail.
- Sun block (lip and skin…The equatorial sun is extremely intense, especially at high altitude)
- Insect repellant (may be necessary at lower elevations)
- Towel and washcloth (thin, quick-drying ones are preferable). Make sure you bring plastic bags for each.
- Head lamp with extra batteries and bulb (Headlamps leave your hands free for reading, writing or whatever you may be doing after dark. They are also best for the nighttime final ascent). We strongly recommend the type with the batteries held on the headband, e.g. Petzl, using AA or AAA batteries (which can be purchased in Tanzania.) Make sure you bring plenty of backup batteries, and change the batteries before setting out for your midnight night trek (for the overnight climb, if applicable).
- Trekking poles. Collapsible (telescopic) are best, because you can adjust them to sternum height, while ascending, and lengthen them for the descent. Your descent from Uhuru Peak is characterized by steep volcanic scree, and two poles can greatly aid in balance and comfort.
- Gaiters (to keep mud, dirt and snow out of your boots).
- Money belt or neck pouch.
- Assortment of plastic bags and nylon stuff sacks (for trash, and for keeping gear clean, dry and organized)
- For eyeglass wearers: eyeglass straps, spare eyeglasses and spare prescription sunglasses (or clip-ons). The dusty conditions in August – October may cause problems for contact lens wearers. Bring plenty of solution. You may end up wearing glasses most of the time. Consider disposable contact lenses.
- High energy food supplements – High altitude tends to diminish appetite. We recommend you bring enticing snacks from home to help keep your caloric intake up. Suggestions include trail mix, energy bars, dried fruit, etc. If you drink herbal teas or decaffeinated coffee, bring a supply as they are not available locally.)
- Insulated water bottle pouch; Recommended by past travelers to keep your water from freezing.
PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT
Your first-aid kit should include the following:
- 5″x5″ moleskin or equivalent (to treat blisters)
- Small bandages (band-aids)
- Elasticised support bandage (ace-wrap)
- Safety pins
- Small pair of scissors
Medicines in your first aid kit should be discussed with your physician, and should include addressing the following:
- Analgesics (pain killers); Acetaminophen (ie. Tylenol), Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Vidocin*
- Anti-Allergy; Hydrocortizone (ointment), Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (oral anti-histamine)(ie: Sudafed); Epinephrine*
- Antibiotics; Bacitracin (ointment), Erythromycin*, Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride* (Cipro)
Antacids; Bismuth sabsalicylate (ie. Pepto-Bismol)
- Anti-Diarrhea; Loperamide hydrochloride (ie. Immodium), Tinidazole*
- Anti-Emetics (anti-vomiting); Prochlorperazine*, Promethazine*
- Anti-Vertigo (anti-motion sickness); Meclizine*, Scopolamine*
- Altitude illness medicine ; Acetazolamide* (diamox), Dexamethazone*, Nifedipine*
- Sterile eye drops
- Anti-malarial prophylaxis medicine*
* Prescription medicines
OPTIONAL ITEMS
- Inflatable or small, compressible pillow (or pillowcase, to fill with spare clothing)
- Thin rope (approximately 10 feet for clothesline or other odd jobs) and clothespins
- Umbrella (recommended by past travelers who found it convenient during brief showers)
- Nail clippers (your toe nails should be cut short for your descent)
- Biodegradable cold-water laundry soap.
- Hand and foot warmers
- Battery-heated socks (an alternative to hand/foot warmers)
- Earplugs (sometimes you need all the help you can get in order to sleep well)
- Watch (a watch that has a face which can be easily lit is helpful in the middle of the night)
- Personal urinal system (See section under Clothing and Equipment on “Staying Warm in Your Tent)
- Trowel (See section in Health and Logistics under “Latrines”)
- Watch (a watch that has a face which can be easily lit is helpful in the middle of the night)
- Sleeping bag liner. A silk liner can facilitate easier movement while inside your sleeping bag
NOTE: (Though this might seem obvious.) When on the mountain, you will have no access to electricity.
