FAQ Climbs

What equipment and clothing will I need for the climb?

Please refer to our Climb Packing list below. It is important to follow this list carefully.

SENE provides all the cooking and camping equipment except for your sleeping bag and pad. Your guides will do an equipment check prior to the climb and if you are missing any items from the list, you will be required to rent them for a small fee.

Clothing and Equipment.

Be prepared with clothing for all weather conditions. Dress in layers. Polypropylene is an effective lightweight under layer and works better than either wool or cotton. Layering yourself in polypropylene, pile, down, and a rainproof shell is best. Clean clothes keep you warmer than dirty clothes as dirt and oil work to conduct heat away from the body. Each climber’s duffel bag, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad are placed into a large water-repellent canvas duffel bag provided by SENE and carried by the mountain crew. If your duffel bag is not waterproof you may want to use camping dry sacks for items that absolutely must stay dry (plastic bags are banned in Tanzania).

Your gear should not exceed 44 lbs / 20 kgs in weight.

• Duffel bag (60 – 90 cu. liters) to hold your personal gear (excluding your sleeping bag and pad). Waterproof. Roller duffels are not acceptable; internal frame backpacks are.
• Sleeping bag rated to 0°F (-18°C).
• Sleeping bag liner (for extra warmth and comfort).
• Sleeping pad.
• Hiking day pack (15-20 cu. liters) that you will carry with the items you want during the climbing day (extra clothing layer, rain gear, water bottles, snacks, camera, first aid, etc.). Your day pack should hang from both shoulders and have a waist belt.
• Hiking boots – medium weight, waterproof, warm, comfortable, and broken in.
• Outer shell jacket – made of water-repellant and breathable fabric (such as Gore-Tex®).
• Pile or down jacket, or 2 layers of medium weight polypropylene.
• Rain/wind pants with leg zippers for easy on/off.
• 2-3 Hiking pants or Fleece/Pile pants.
• 2-3 Polypropylene tops and bottoms – medium weight.
• 2-3 T-shirts.
• 1 Pair sturdy hiking shorts (for days 1-2).
• Wool hat/balaclava.
• Shade hat.
• Sunglasses that block UV rays.
• Wool or Gore-Tex mittens or gloves.
• Glove liners – lightweight material such as silk or Capilene®.
• 6-9 Pairs socks, including thick wool socks for higher elevations (a clean pair for each day).
• Light walking shoes or sneakers (for lower elevations and evenings).
• Gaiters (for extra warmth, and to prevent snow, stones, and dirt from entering your boots).
• 2 Bandanas.
• Small towel and washcloth – quick-drying (for sponge baths on the climb).
• Headlamp with extra batteries and light bulb.
• 2-3 One liter wide-mouth reusable water bottles.
• Trekking poles.

Energy Snacks & Sports Drinks.

• Energy and snack foods that you will eat even when not hungry (altitude causes a loss of appetite): trail mix, hard candy, jerky, energy gels, chocolate, or bars of any sort.
• Powdered sports drink mixes (such as Gatorade, Acli-mate, or PowerAde). Enough for 6-12 liters.

Personal First Aid Supplies.

Consult with your physician as necessary.
• Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher).
• Lip balm with sunscreen.
• Hand wipes or hand sanitizer.
• Aspirin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol. Ibuprofen is also an anti-inflammatory.
• Moleskin, Second Skin blister pads, or Bodyglide lubricant to prevent blisters.
• Moisturizing cream.
• Band Aids.
• Topical antibiotic.
• Ace bandage or elastic supports for weak knees, ankles, or sore joints.
• Antibiotic, such as Cipro.
• Pepto-Bismol tablets for stomach problems.
• Feminine protection.
• Contact lens wearers also bring a pair of glasses for back-up.
• Diamox – effective against the symptoms of altitude sickness.

Optional Items.

• Thin rope and clothes pins or safety pins for hanging clothes.
• Money belt/neck pouch.
• Small mirror.
• Neck gaiter (scarf).
• Urine bottle (for use at night in your tent). Women may also wish to consider using a feminine urination device such as Freshette or GoGirl. Practice at home first!
• Reading material (paperbacks only).
• Journal, pens, writing paper.
• Deck of cards or other travel game.