What To Pack For Climbing Kilimanjaro

Ethan and I leave today for Tanzania, where we’ll spend the next week ascending the tallest mountain on the African continent. None other than Kilimanjaro! (cue Todo…)

Along for the journey is this brand spanking new Ricoh THETA S 360 Degree camera. This is definitely one of the cooler tech toys I’ve played with lately, and I cannot wait to capture some 360-degree photos and videos from the top of Kilimanjaro!

While it is an amazing little gadget, super small and light and perfect for the trip, the battery life is not stellar, and with only internal storage capability and no SD card compatibility, we’ll be a bit limited on how much footage we can get with the THETA up there. Still, to take out on the morning of our summit bid and capture even a few of these mind-blowing spherical views, it’s so worth it! I mean come on, we’re just packing for Kilimanjaro here, not even climbing yet, and look how sweet it looks! (Ricoh THETA S 360 provided by Cramer)

The Complete Kilimanjaro Expedition Packing List

This is not only the full checklist for any future climber packing for Kilimanjaro, but also exactly what I brought along to match it.

STORAGE

• Backpack (20-30 Liter): Patagonia Ascensionist 35L Pack (I wanted a little extra room for camera gear!)
• Backpack Rain Cover (Optional)/poncho
• 50-70 liter Duffelbag with all your Kili gear in it. Tough/Water resistant – Patagonia Black Hole Duffle 90L
• White trashbags to store your gear
• Zipper bags to store smaller items

BASE LAYERS

• Half-Sleeve SyntheticT-Shirts – Lulu Lemon
• Upper light weight Full sleeve – Again, Lulu Lemon
• Upper Mid weight base layer or Hoodie Full sleeve – Marmot Crew LS
• Upper Sports Bra (For women)
• Lower Synthetic Underwears – Again, Lulu Lemon
• Lower long johns (Mid to heavy weight) – Marmot Base Layer Bottom

PANTS

• Hiking Pants (lightweight) – Prana Stretch Zion Pant
• Hiking Pants (Heavierweight) – Patagonia Super Alpine Bib

SHELL (WIND/RAIN PROTECTION)

• Waterproof Pants – Patagonia Super Alpine Bib
• Watrerproof Jacket – Black Diamond Front Point Shell
• Light weight cheap Poncho

INSULATION LAYERS

• Light weight puffy jacket or fleece jacket – Eddie Bauer Cloud Layer Full-Zip Fleece
• Heavy weight down jacket/parka – The North Face Himalayan Parka

HEAD/HANDS

• Hat/Beanie
• Buff/Balaclava – Patagonia Capilene Thermal Weight Balaclava
• Liner Gloves – Outdoor Research Catalyzer Glove Liner
• Mittens or Heavier Gloves – EMS Summit Mitten
• Chemical Hand warmers

FEET

• Liner Socks
• Thicker Socks (Mid Weight)
• Thicker Socks (Expedetion Weight)
• Lightweight shoes or Sandals – La Sportiva Bushido Trail Running Shoe
• Hiking Boots (insulated/waterproof is better) – KEEN Durand
• Toe Warmers
• Gaiters – Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters
• Micro spikes (Optional)

MISC. GEAR

• Head Lamp – Princeton Tec APEX Pro
• Extra Batteries – Goal Zero Venture 30 Solar Pack
• Hiking Poles – Black Diamond Collapsible
• Lip Balm
• SunScreen – Surface Products Face Stick SPF 45
• Water purification – Iodine Tablets
• Small hand towel
• Ear Plugs
• Bug Repellent
• Camera – GoPro HERO4 / Canon EOS 80D / Ricoh THETA 360
• Face Wipes
• Wet Wipes
• Sun Glasses
• Glacier Glasses or Ski Googles – Julbo Vermont Mountain Sunglasses
• Hand Sanitizer (Enough to last your trip)
• Hygeine (Toothbrush/toothpaste, deodorant, etc.) – Of course I brought along my Old Spice Lasting Legend 😉
• Extra prescription glasses or contact lenses
• Wrist Watch with Alarm/Altimeter (optional) – Suunto Core Crush Altimeter Watch
• Basic First Aid
• Whistle (Optional)

SLEEPING

• 10 to 30 degree Sleeping bag – Marmot Sawtooth 20 Degree Down
• Sleeping Bag Liner (Optional, specailly important if your sleeping bag is not so warm)

SNACKS

• Bars/Chocolate – I’ll be living on Justin’s and Clif!
• Electrolyte mix powders – Again, Clif
• Chai/Coffe Packets – Starbucks instant mixes and Jiva Coffee Cubes

DOCUMENTS

• PASSPORT: Valid for six months beyond your return date
• Copy of Passport: The first two pages of your passport.
• Copy of Flight Itinerary
• Visa Form and any other papers required for it
• Enough cash for tipping porters

MEDICINES

• Prescription Medicine
• Antibiotics – A standard Z-Pack will do
• Acetazolamide (Diamox): For Altitude Illness
• Anti-Malaria Meds
• Suture/syringe kit  (Optional)
• Dexmethasone (Optional)
• Vicadibn/Oxycodon Painkillers (optional)

FIRST AID

• Band-Aids
• ASPRIN / IBUPROFEN / TYLENOL – I also recommend Advil PM. Helps with altutide and sleep! Sleep is crucial.
• Cough Drops
• Antihistamine (Benadryl)
• Saline Nasal Spray
• Dr. Scholl’s Blister Cushions / Moleskin
• Spenco 2nd Skin
• Antacids
• Imodium (Anti-Diarrhea)
• Pepto-Bismol (stomach relief)
• Small roll of adhesive tape

CITY/SAFARI CLOTHING

• Pair of shorts
• 2 pair Casual lightweight pants
• 2-3 shirts: For hotel dinners and while traveling
• Swimsuit
• Comfy shoes (Can be your light hikers)
• Sweater/sweatshirt (Can be your same fleece layer from climbing to save room)

Expedition checklist provided by Miyar Adventures