Climbing Equipments

Proper equipment is extremely important to the success, enjoyment, comfort, and safety of your trip. Please bring the following items for your climb.

Functional equipment determines how warm, dry, and safe you will be, so always choose equipment that is of good quality, is dependable, and is adaptable to a variety of extreme conditions.

Clothing impacts not only your comfort but also your safety. Always be critical of the quality and the proper fit of your clothing. Cotton clothing must be avoided because it dries very slowly and is a poor insulator when wet. Instead, choose wool or synthetic fabrics that “wick” the sweat and moisture away from your skin.

Clothing System

Recommended clothing system has four layers.

1. Base layer: manages moisture and wicks perspiration away from your skin. (Polypro, capilene, driclime)
2. Softshell: should be a durable, comfortable, insulating, and wind/water resistant layer that breathes well. The main Softshell fabrics are Polartec Wind Pro, Gore Windstopper N2S, and Schoeller; each clothing manufacturer has their own. 200-weight fleeces can be substituted for our Softshell recommendations but are not as versatile with how they may be used when layering.
3. Hard shell: windproof, waterproof, and breathable. (e.g. Gore-Tex, or similar)
4. Insulating layer: should be down-fill or synthetic-fill and fit over all layers. (e.g. down, PrimaLoft, or polar guard) These four layers are usually sufficient for most people, but if you tend to be colder bring one extra medium layer that would be ideal for extra warmth around camp, such as a vest. When deciding what to pack, remember to bring enough clothes and accessories to ensure your safety and comfort, while not over-burdening yourself with items you probably won’t use.

Sleeping Gear

10-20 degree sleeping bag and stuff sack: night-time temperatures can be as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit so bring a warm bag

• Sleeping pad: full-length Thermal-Rest or equivalent.

Head and Face

• Fleece or wool hat: it must cover the ears
• Shade hat: a visor hat with a good brim is essential for protection from the equatorial sun
• Bandanas: various uses – cleaning glasses, sun protection when tied around the neck, etc.
• Sunglasses or Glacier glasses: essential eye protection whether in the tropics, at high altitudes, or by the water.

Upper Body

• T-shirts: two T-shirts that will get dirty; Patagonia Capilene is best. No cotton.
• Long underwear top: one medium weight and one heavyweight long sleeve Patagonia Capilene, the pullover is best.
• Fleece or soft shell Jacket: This is what you will be wearing while hiking at higher altitudes or while around at camps at lower altitudes. These jackets should be full-zip and accessible. Call for more details on “Soft-shell”.
• Gore-Tex Parka: a good parka made of Gortex or waterproof nylon that has been seam sealed. Afternoon showers are common in East Africa.
• Down or Synthetic Jacket: This layer is to keep you warm, especially at those higher altitudes. Patagonia Puffball Jacket is perfect for this trek.
• Fleece Glove: a lightweight glove to use while trekking and hanging around camp
• Shell Gloves: A shell system of a fleece liner and waterproof shell that handles cold. Brands such as “OR” make a shell system that can be bought together.

Lower Body

• Undergarments: adequate supply for the entire climb
• Hiking shorts: one pair of quick-drying shorts; good for hiking at lower elevations on the mountain
• Long underwear or tights: These can be worn under heavier layers on colder days or worn by themselves on warmer days, which is why tights are good.
• Soft Shell Pants: soft-shell pants are water resistant, yet highly breathable and durable, great for colder conditions over a pair of long underwear or tights. Patagonia guide pants are a great brand.
• Gore-Tex Pants: a lightweight pair of pants to keep you dry when raining or snowing hard. Full zips are convenient.

Feet

• Thin socks: two pairs of polypropylene socks to wear under heavy wool socks; help prevent blisters and keep feet dry
• Thick socks: two pairs of heavy wool or polypropylene socks, medium to heavyweight.
• Hiking boots: one pair of light to medium-weight hiking boots large enough to be comfortable with one thin and one heavy sock
• Gaiters: one pair of gaiters made of breathable material; keeps dirt and mud out of boots. OR Crocs are great.
• Tennis shoes or sandals: to wear in camp after a day of hiking-light weight

Personal Health and Comfort

• Toiletries: toothbrush and paste, comb, tampons, biodegradable soap (small amt.), etc.
• Sunscreen: bring plenty of sunblock with an SPF of 15 or more. It’s easy to underestimate the amount necessary for equatorial sun protection.
• Lip balm: must have an SPF rating of 15 or more
• Earplugs: to block out snoring and other noise to ensure a good night’s sleep
• Flashlight and/or headlamp: bring extra batteries Adjustable ski poles
• Personal first aid and drug kit Towel: for wash up in camp
• Towelettes: individually wrapped anti-bacterial towels are great for general hygiene
• Spare contacts or glasses: contacts can be a problem in dusty conditions; glasses wearers should have a spare set
• Umbrella (optional): protection from rain and sun; compact and lightweight
• Snacks: (optional): if there is something you particularly like to eat while hiking, bring some along. You will be fed well throughout the trip, so this is just something extra.
• Plastic sandwich bags: Keep personal items separate and dry

Water

• Water bottles: two one-quart, wide-mouthed plastic bottles. If you use a collapsible water bottle or hydration system you are welcome to bring it along for drinking water. However, continue to bring at least one hard plastic bottle in addition. These can be used in cold weather as hot water bottles in your sleeping bag. (Example: Nalgene)
• Water purification tablets: on the mountain water is not highly contaminated, water from the streams can be used but we highly recommend that drinking water should be treated although boiled water should be ok but it is also advisable to add a tablet or two to be on the safe side, therefore, ensure you bring enough purification tablets.
• Water treatment tablets: one small bottle of Potable Agua or Polar Pure crystal iodine; purifies drinking water while on the trek.
• Water flavoring: powdered additives like Tang, Gatoraid, and Wyler’s lemonade make treated water taste better.

Carrying Gear

• Day pack: with padded shoulder straps and waist belt; used for carrying personal gear such as water bottle, extra clothing, snacks, camera, etc. Individual loads will be between 10 and 20 pounds. A climbing pack with a volume between 2500-3500 cu. in. (40-50 liters) serves most people’s needs well.
• large duffel bag: gear will be kept in it and the entire duffel will go into the group mountain bag that will be carried by the porters. Limit loads to items on the equipment list. Your large duffel cannot exceed 22 lbs. Approx: 28”x16”x16” No wheels or hard sides, please.
• Medium duffel bag: to store your non-mountain gear; this will be stored at the hotel, to be used after the climb, and will be brought to your hotel.
• Baggage tags: makes identifying your bags easy at the airports or hotels
• Plastic bags: sleeping bags and clothes will be double-bagged while on the mountain for protection from afternoon rains. Heavy-duty garbage bags work great and can store dirty or wet clothes as well.
• Bathing suit: for after the climb

For Game Viewing

• Binoculars: essential for game-viewing; 7×20 to 10×40 recommended (magnification x field of view)
• Camera and film: bring plenty of films as it is not available at all locales

Personal Medical Supplies

As your tour leaders, we will carry a group medical kit. Some items that you might want to carry yourself would include aspirin, Imodium, laxatives, antibiotics, bandages, malaria tablets, gauze, adhesives, beta dine, throat lozenges, eye drops, sun block, lip balm, moleskin, antihistamine tablets, cream.