Plan your climb · Guide
Packing & gear list
You will pass through rainforest, moorland, alpine desert and arctic conditions in the space of a few days. Nothing on this list is decoration.
- Porter duffel limit
- 15 kg
- Daypack you carry
- 25–35 L
- Sleeping bag
- −10°C
- Water capacity
- 3 L
Your gear is split in two. A porter carries one duffel, capped at 15 kg — a real limit, weighed at the gate, and set to protect the person carrying it. You carry a daypack with water, layers, camera and anything you need during the day, because your duffel goes ahead to camp and you will not see it until evening.
The five people get wrong
- New boots. Blisters end more climbs than altitude on the lower routes. Walk at least 50–80 km in them first.
- A sleeping bag that is not warm enough. A summer three-season bag is not enough at Barafu. Rent a proper one in Arusha rather than suffer.
- Cheap sunglasses. At 5,000 m on snow you need category 3 or 4. Snow blindness on summit night is a genuine hazard.
- A cotton t-shirt. Cotton holds sweat, then chills you. Synthetic or merino throughout.
- One pair of gloves. You want thin liners for the day and thick insulated mitts for summit night. Not one compromise pair.
The full list
Upper body
- 2–3 synthetic or merino base layer tops, long sleeve
- 1 short-sleeve technical t-shirt for the forest
- Fleece or soft-shell mid layer
- Insulated down or synthetic jacket for camp and summit night
- Waterproof, breathable hard shell with a hood
- Sports bra or equivalent, synthetic
Lower body
- 2 pairs hiking trousers, quick-dry, one convertible
- 1 pair thermal long underwear
- Waterproof over-trousers, side zips help
- 4–5 pairs underwear, synthetic
- Fleece or insulated trousers for summit night in cold months
Feet
- Waterproof hiking boots, above the ankle, broken in
- Trainers or camp shoes for the evenings
- 4–5 pairs wool or synthetic hiking socks
- 1 pair thick thermal socks for summit night
- Gaiters — the scree above Barafu gets into everything
- Blister plasters and tape, in your daypack not your duffel
Head and hands
- Warm hat covering the ears
- Sun hat with a brim, and a buff or neck gaiter
- Thin glove liners and insulated waterproof mitts
- Sunglasses, category 3 or 4
- Headtorch with fresh batteries, plus spares — cold flattens batteries fast
Sleeping and carrying
- Sleeping bag rated to about −10 °C comfort; warmer June to September
- Inflatable or foam sleeping mat — we provide one, bring your own if you are fussy
- Daypack, 25–35 L, with a rain cover
- Duffel or soft holdall, 60–90 L, no hard suitcases
- Dry bags or heavy-duty bin liners to line both
Water, sun and health
- 3 L total capacity: two 1 L bottles plus a bladder, or three bottles. Bladder hoses freeze on summit night — bring at least one bottle
- Insulated bottle cover or a sock over the bottle
- Sunscreen SPF 50 and SPF lip balm. The UV at altitude is brutal
- Personal first aid: plasters, painkillers, rehydration salts, any prescriptions in original packaging
- Wet wipes and hand sanitiser — there are no showers
- Toilet paper in a zip bag
Useful extras
- Trekking poles, adjustable — your knees will thank you on the descent
- Power bank; there is no mains power on the mountain
- Snacks you actually like. Appetite disappears at altitude and familiar food helps
- Small padlock for the duffel
- Cash in small notes for tips, in USD or Tanzanian shillings
- Passport, insurance documents and a copy of each, kept dry
Renting in Arusha
Do not buy a down jacket and a four-season sleeping bag for one week of your life. Good rental kit is available in Arusha and we will lay it out for you at the pre-climb briefing, the evening before you start. Sleeping bags, down jackets, hard shells, poles, gaiters and duffels are all worth renting. Boots are the exception — bring your own, broken in.
Tell us what you are missing when you book and we will have it ready and priced, so nothing is a surprise on the day.
