EQUIPMENT
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Most of this Equipment list is from Alpine Ascents International and Footprint Adventures. I have just
added some items which I found listed elsewhere.
Below is a common list of items recommended for the Machame Route and for
the other routes as well. My personal comments on the items are included in
parenthesis.
Clothing:
- Light
Weight Underwear - Two pair Polypro or
Capaline. No cotton.
{I brought a pair of regular cotton underwear for each day - a few
extra is probably better}
-
Liner Socks - Three pair of thin socks made
of smooth wool, nylon or polypropylene worn next to skin, reduces blisters and
hot-spots.
{If you can handle the smell three pairs is fine. I took
one for each day plus two extra}
-
Outer Socks - Three pair of heavy socks made
of wool or synthetic material. When layering socks, make sure they fit well over both feet
and inside boots.
{Same as above}
-
Pile Jacket - Mid to Heavy-weight.
{ I took a three fleece sweaters one I lent to a friend the other I
never used. So one good fleece pullover or jacket is fine}
-
Pile Pants - One pair lightweight with full
separating side zips.
{I took a pair of fleece, "Polartec"
long johns. They were very nice kept the warmth inside}
-
Down Jacket - Medium to heavy weight with
hood.
{The heavy winter jacket as seen in the pictures is only used
for the final day so it's helpful if its light and compressible for
easy packing}
-
Shell Jacket - Gore-Tex, must have good
hood. {Used it every day for the rain and mist - very important}
-
Shell Pants - One pair Gore-Tex with full
separating side zips. Jacket and pants must fit over pile insulation comfortably.{Used
them most day's. The ones I bought had shoulder straps which tended to
slip off at times making them somewhat annoying}
-
Anorak - Waterproof jacket for cold
conditions.
Light Raincoat {I did not bring this item since my Gore-Tex shell
jacket was sufficient for warmth and rain protection}
-
Running Shoes - One pair to wear around
camp. {Very useful - I only brought my hiking boots so I was
fortunate that they held up. Bring an old pair which you can give to
the porters at the end}
-
Trekking Shoes - One pair of sturdy trekking
shoes in which you can wear a light synthetic sock under a warm heavy sock comfortably,
either wool or synthetic. Shoes should be very water repellent. Recommended: One Sport
"Moraines" or similar boot. { I can't praise my boots
enough they were exceptional. I never felt any discomfort and the
stayed dry for the entire trip. I bought a pair of Gore-Tex Zamberlans}
-
Gaiters - One pair used to keep rocks out of
shoes and boots dry.{My shell pants had gaiters attached to the
bottoms so I didn't require a separate pair. These are very useful
especially in the mud}
-
Light Synthetic Gloves - Two pair pile or
similar quick drying material, should fit comfortably inside heavy mitts.{These
are extremely important but they are only used on the last day. I used
light gloves and had a pair of Gore - Tex gloves. My hands were
freezing up as we ascended the Breach Wall and I had to remove my
fingers several times to rub them. Heavy mitts are better with light
gloves inside}
-
Mitts With Gore-Tex Shells - One pair each.{See
above}
-
Sun Hat - Baseball hat or hat with good
visor, white bandanna is useful for shading the neck. {Covering up at
altitude is very important. I was surprised to see how quickly a
sunburn develops. I brought along a baseball cap. Something more
protective is probably better.}
-
Wool or Pile Ski Hat - Balaclava - One polypropylene.{I
bought a balaclava which had a wide opening for the eyes but covered
the bridge of the nose. I found it kept me warm but also made it
difficult to breath. It would be preferable to have a more loosely fitting
one with an opening for nose and eyes.
-
Glacier Glasses - One pair 100% UV &
IR,
must have side covers. Bolle and Ray Ban suggested.{I never used my
glasses only because I took along a regular pair of sunglasses. A good
pair of Glacier Glasses would be useful only at the top as the sun
rises. Maybe not really worth the expense}
Climbing Tools:
- Ski Poles - Adjustable two or three section. One pair,
suggested Leki
{I brought two poles and did find them useful}
-
Headlamp - Spare bulbs and batteries, suggested
Black Diamond, REI, Petzel or Combi{Bought a Petzel which was useful
at nights, for finding my way out to the little boys room and for the
final night - I brought six extra batteries and never needed to
replace the first one - three is probably more than enough.}
-
Crampons - - Used for negotiating final ascent, in
order to grip on ice and snow.{The snows of Kilimanjaro are not what
they used to be. Depending on the time of year you travel there you
may or may not need these items. I brought them but never used them.
If it turns out you do need them it could mean the difference between
success and failure.}
Camping:
- Sleeping
Bag - Expedition quality to at least -10 degrees, rated 3 or better.{My
bag was rated at -7 and is made of down. I was comfortable up to the
last day when I wore my winter jacket long johns and fleece top to
bed. For me it was sufficient. Anything lower than -10 may be too warm
for the lower camps.}
-
Ridge Rest Sleeping Pad - One full length
foam.{Brought it away and never used it since they provided them}
-
Therma Rest Pad - One 3/4 length with repair
kit.{Not used}
-
Backpack - A day pack big enough to carry
water bottles, camera, lunch and extra clothing, 3000 cu. inches max.{My
bag was 50 liters and I carried it with me every day and packed a lot
of stuff in it I may not of needed but the extra weight provided a
good workout and kept me climbing at a slow pace}
-
Swiss Army Knife {Yes - never
used it}
-
Plastic Bowl, Mug and Spoon - Mug should be
insulated and hold 2 to 3 cups.{We were provided with all these items
- I did not bring them along and don't believe they are necessary}
-
Water Bottles - Two 1 litter wide mouth.{I
did not bring water bottles. Instead I used empty 1.5 liter spring
water bottles that our guides gave us and that we bought in Arusha. I
went through at least three of these bottles in a day. I kept two in
my pack and one in my hand all the time.}
-
Pee Bottle - One 1 litter large mouth, for
use in tents at high altitude.{Did not use}
Traveling:
- Large
Boundary Bags or Rucksack - Boundary Bags, If all your gear can fit into
one you need only one, a second small duffel bag can be nice for storing things at the
hotel during the expedition.
Or you can use a Rucksack - possible with lock in which to pack your belongings to be
carried by porters. Note that the porters carry their loads on their heads.{We
stored our regular clothes in gym bags that we bought over there a
large easily stored duffle type bag which can be locked is probably a
good idea. The porters carried the climbing gear I was not using for
the day in a large, heavy duty, water tight duffle bag which was
locked. It held my crampons, food, winter jacket, gloves, sleeping
bag, water filter etc.
-
Plastic Bags - 10 for lining stuff sacks to
keep gear dry.{I brought away garbage bags. They were good to separate
and water proof items in my back pack}
-
Toiletry Bag - Include toilet paper, soap,
toothbrush, etc.{I did not wash or shave for the entire five days. It
is just too cumbersome to wash out of a dish. But toilet paper is gold
- bring two or three rolls if you can. Toothbrush and toothpaste is
essential, soap, wet naps are also good}
Personal First Aid Kit:
- Aspirin, Moleskin, Adhesive Tape, Band-Aids, Hydrocortisone,
Herbal Sleep Aids, Broad Spectrum Antibiotic, Hand & Body Warmer Packs, Sunburn
Relief, Iodine, Throat Lozenges, Imodium (Anti Diarrhea), Lipscreen (SPF 40, at least two sticks).{I
brought away the Fundamentals Kit from Adventure Medical Kits which
took up space. The above items are probably all you need along with
some vitamins and your medications, (diamox, etc)}
-
Sunscreen - SPF 40, Large tube.{Yes
- the sun burns through SPF 40 as if the sunscreen wasn't even on -
the stronger the better.
Some other items I brought
which I found useful and some I found not to be useful:
PUR Water
filter: I enjoyed sneaking away from camp and finding the streams.
I would filter 6 or seven liters at a time and it would take less then
twenty minutes. It was cumbersome but I enjoyed the water far better
than the one that the guides provided. The guides would simply collect
water from the stream and boil it. The water was fine to drink but
contained all the particles. My water was clean and I would add a
small bit of iodine to each bottle just to make sure. Note you
have to keep the filter clean and it does take up space.
Platypus
Water Bladder: I planned to use this for all my water needs but it
turned out to be a big mistake. the bladders are plastic bags which
have a hose attached and these fit into a small nap sack. Mountain
bikers use them all the time. I would always fill the bladders for
emergency but always had enough water with my bottles. the last day I
did not bring any bottles but used my Platypus and strapped it to the
back of my back pack. The hoses quickly froze up and I couldn't get
any water from them. So I would have to stop, pull out the bags and
unscrew the hose and drink from the bladder directly. But soon the
bladders started to freeze up as well. In retrospect a water bottle in
one hand and a couple deep in my back pack would have been more
cumbersome but they would have served me better. Water on the last day
is enormously important - it will keep you going. Without it you have
less chance of making it.
Small Flashlight: Very useful at
night in the tent when you don't want to get out the headlamp.
Fanny
pack - Hip pouch: Useful for your small items such as keys for you
locks, glasses, sunscreen, snacks, etc.