Sarah_Dobbie

We're headed to Kilimanjaro on Jan 8/08 and have some questions about clothing/gear. Any advise or tips are appreciated!

(1) Sleeping bag - did you bring your own or rent one? What type did you use? How big was it?
(2) Amount and type of clothes for trek - what did you bring?
(3) Any other must have clothes or gear that we many not have thought of?
(4) Camera - did anyone find that their camera froze? Did you bring a disposable one for the really cold days?
(5) We've each got daypacks with camelbacks inside (not insulated). I've read about getting insulated water carriers. Any thougts on this or suggestions as to what type?

Thanks so much!

RobertR

Hello,

1. I bought a cheap 10 degree bag which I gave to the guide after the hike. If you get cold easily I would have a 0 degree bag.If you rent you are stuck with what they have.

2. Key is layering. long sleeve coolmax or synthetic breathable fabric base, fleece, then warm jacket, gloves and wool hat.It can be 0 degrees or colder at night.
Some folks had to turn around as they did not have the proper clothes when a hail storm hit,they looked like popsicles when they came into camp.
3. My camera worked fine but I just kept it insulated.
5. Water carrier tube may freeze on summit day, I carried bottles in insulated sleeves.

Are you in a group and have you made reservations?

what route are you doing?. If you are doing the Coca cola route, Oh I mean the Marangu route you will be staying in fixed huts which are slighly more insulated than tents.

If you havn't made reservations I have a recomendation. RR

Sarah_Dobbie

Thanks for the response. We've (my boyfriend and I) already booked with Zara. There may be others in the group. We are doing the 6 night machame route (whisky route).

RobertR

Will the others be friends of yours?
In my case I myself was a group!

I recommend that you request my guide John Irenaeus. I thought he was great. I kept in touch with him for awile. He was very appreciative of my sleeping bag, boots, and backpack which I later sent him!
I hope he still works for the company. The springlands hotel is kind of funky but adequate.

I did the same route,however I got psyched and did the summit and the whole exit in one day! Granted I may train more than most as I run Ultramarathons here in the US.

I loved the porters comments about me after - "You are strong for an old man"- I was 47 at the time! (Christmas 05)

Sarah_Dobbie

That's great...I love the comment...lol!

We booked it just the two of us but they told us that there may be more in the group. Maybe it will end up being just us.

I will look into seeing if we could get your guide. Thanks for the tip.

If you have any other thoughts or suggestions we'd be happy to hear them.
Thanks again!

npederse

1.) We took our own, my wife had a 0 degree one and was fine with that. Others that we climbed with had rented, not as good as ours.

2.) We had lightweight pants for all but the summit day; added another layer for that. Wore a long sleeve synthetic most of the day, plus jacket/heavy sweater for nights and summit day. Warm socks. Lightweight gloves for the entire trip, as some people got sunburned on the back of their hands -- couldn't keep the sunscreen on.

3.) Wet Wipes are an essential item.

4.) Mine worked fine, but kept batteries in my pocket

5.) Daypacks will freeze on summit day, not doubt. A plain nalgene will generally work better for that day (plus, if you get cold at night, have your cook fill it with hot water before you go to bed and then put in your sleeping bag).