A Slacker's Guide To Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro
- Jennifer Knutel
- Mar 13, 2021
- 6 min read
Thinking about climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro? Here are a few things I learned over nine days while ascending to 19,341 feet.
I think there are three types of travelers: those who do loads of research for an upcoming trip, those who pick up a guide and read it on the plane on the way to their destination, and those who do essentially no research on where there are going because it adds to the element of “surprise!”
As a living embodiment of what not to do in most situations, I generally fall into the “surprise” category. However, when it comes to a more ambitious trip, like hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, there are many compelling reasons to actually do some research and prepare.
I've learned a few things about the mountain, the guides, the travel, and the reality of the physical demands. After successfully making it up and down the mountain, I’m able to humbly offer some recommendations and hacks I learned along the way. So, if you are thinking about climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, these suggestions may make your experience more enjoyable and comfortable.
What I should not have ignored on the suggested list of travel items:
A quick Google search will give you many recommended lists of what to pack for a hike up Kilimanjaro. The items are on the list for a reason, and most I found were not really optional. Here is a list of what I decided to ignore and quickly realized were completely necessary.
If you do a Google search on “Kilimanjaro + gaiters”, you’ll discover some skeptics questioning their necessity. Well, I can confidently state that yes, you do need them. As you climb to higher elevations, scree, or small annoying pieces of rock, get inside your hiking boots and slow down your climb. Gaiters are particularly important as you descend, and some routes down the mountain move more quickly than others to the next camp. A mid-length gaiter is perfect for use over a hiking boot. If you don’t want to buy/own them, you can rent them mountain side before you start your climb.
Sleeping bag liners serve a few purposes: keeping your sleeping bag cleaner, providing some extra softness, but most importantly, giving you an additional 5-10 degrees F of warmth on deceptively cold nights. On the mountain, you’d give up coffee for a year for an extra 5-10 degrees F of sleeping comfort - or at least I would. I love coffee, by the way.
Boot liners help provide additional warmth and protection from wind and cold as you head into the final days of the ascent. As I pondered whether I was getting frostbite at around 19,000 feet, I am sure they really would have been helpful.
Rounding out the list of items I ignored from the recommended equipment list are earplugs. Yes, earplugs. If you are hiking with a group, the chances are there may be someone in the group who snores like a bear and lack of sleep can really impact your hike.
Here is a fantastic list from REI of items to bring, and If it weren’t for my climbing partner actually sending me direct links to products to buy and nagging me to do so, my frozen body would probably still be on the mountain.
What I brought that made others jealous:
While it was never my intention to make anyone else on the trip jealous, I could see it in their eyes a little. These items served to make the trip far more enjoyable.
Walking in Brookstone one day before the hike, I saw a portable solar charger and bought it. It seemed like a semi-decent / waste of money idea at the time, but on the mountain, it was invaluable. We were able to open up the panels while hiking during the day, enabling my fellow travelers and I the ability to charge up our cell phones and iPads to watch movies at night. Having this also allowed all of our group to text and even call loved ones, which proved emotionally invaluable for keeping up our spirits.
Another impulse buy, I picked up four carabiners that were also essential on the mountain. During the day, they allowed us to attach the solar panels to our backpacks. At night, the carabiner, combined with a head lamp, became an overhead light when attached to a hook at the top of the dome inside the tent so we didn’t have to spend so many hours inside a dark tent.
Sleeping bag rated for 0 degrees Fahrenheit (F)
Many people on the hike brought their own sleeping bags, which were mostly rated to 30 degrees F. They were miserable. I, on the other hand, was a bit toastier, so ensure you have a sleeping bag that is rated between 0 and -15 degrees F. Trust me.
What others brought that made me jealous:
If I were going to do this trip all over again (and yes, I would do it again), there were some things my fellow hikers brought that made me seriously jealous. And I told them so!
This may not sound necessary AT ALL, but if you have some spare space in your pack, on the last few days, googles will come in handy. Anyone who skis knows how brutal cold mountain winds can be on your face, and how much ski goggles ameliorate this as well as excessive eye watering. If you are hiking during inclement weather, they would definitely have an advantage over other forms of eye protection.
A woman on our hike had bulky mittens that looked like perfect mini sleeping bags for her hands. As she reveled in toasty warmth, my ski gloves were just not up to the task. Here too, I questioned if frostbite was going to set in on the last day of the hike. I still covet the mittens she wore to this day, now understanding that fingers together inside a mitten can share warmth with each other and your palm, but fingers separated in gloves become tiny extremities with exposed surface area on all sides.
After a long day of hiking, it is so much fun to go into the dining tent to have tea and snacks and talk about the day before dinner. Given the declining temperatures with increasing altitude, this becomes less and less enjoyable and conversations become a lot shorter. A wearable sleeping bag is lightweight and packable allowing you to move about easily and spend more time enjoying your fellow hikers. You may look ridiculous, but any interest in what anyone is wearing or doing ends around 15,000 feet. After that, everyone’s in survival mode.
What also really helped:
Other things on the list of recommended equipment you may initially question - but shouldn’t - are:
I almost feel poles are more important on the way down than the way up. Typically, the descent is fast, either at a brisk walk, or a light jog. Poles help you stabilize on scree and quicken your trip down the mountain.
A Camelbak or any other efficient water delivery system is recommended. Hydrating frequently is key to keeping your energy up and helps with acclimatization, but it’s not always possible or popular with your fellow hikers to stop. My backpack had an inside pouch to hold the Camelbak and drape over my shoulder for quick and frequent sips while walking.
Other Learnings:
There were many small things I learned along the way, and one that in hindsight makes a lot of sense is that hand warmers don’t work above a certain altitude (who knew?!). They need something to work there is precious little of as you climb higher - oxygen! I stocked up and was relying on them for my gloves and boots as we got to higher altitude. Try Zippo rechargeable ones instead.
Bring high calorie snacks and chocolate. Many people lose their appetites and you will have to remember to eat along the way. Despite feeling like we were eating constantly, my hiking partner and I both lost 10 pounds in 9 days. So eat as much as you want without guilt!
My last two recommendations are to find a great training regimen that prepares you for the climb, and consult your physician to ensure you have the requisite vaccinations and medications, such as Diamox. I am very thankful that I didn’t slack on the training portion of the trip preparation, and I primarily did my training with a personal trainer in a gym. My hiking partner also did the same while others in the group did some mountain training. I had no idea that half or so of the hikers who set out to conquer Kili don’t make it, often due to underestimating the level of physical exertion and ability of their body to efficiently process oxygen that improves as one becomes more physically fit - which you can’t really do while you’re actually hiking up the mountain.
Lastly, go with a reputable trekking company that has deep knowledge of the mountain, with staff who are trained in recognizing health concerns, and will take the necessary steps to ensure you have a successful trip. We also opted to do a safari at the end of the trip, and it was a great way to unwind and see the magic of the Serengeti - and made a lot of sense after paying the extraordinary airfare to get to Tanzania.
If you are considering climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, do it. I think about my time hiking and the wonderful people I met every day. It was a challenging and magical experience and I would do it all over again (and the safari as well!).
Enjoy your hike to the Roof of Africa and take my advice - do a little research before you go - preferably before you arrive in Arusha...
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