There are numerous gear lists that are for climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Some are quite complicated and some are quite basic. On mountains – especially Kilimanjaro – it’s good to air on the side of safety, and bringing a little of everything.

Recently one of my clients sent me this master gear list that he developed for his recent adventure in East Africa. Overall, it’s an amazing gear list with everything and every brand you could possibly need. The only downside is that it would be very expensive to buy all of these name brand items. You could get buy with less expensive generic mountaineering clothing. But if you want the best of the best, this would be a great way to go.

OUTERWEAR
Arc’Teryx Black Outter Shell
North Face Red Down Parka
Parka Stuff Sack
Mountain Hardware Windstopper Tech Fleece Jacket
Mountain Hardware Black Tenacity Pants
Mammut Champ Pants
OR Crocodile Gaiters
Nylon Yellow Rain Pants

BASE LAYER
Underwear: Jockey Shorts – 3 Synthetic Briefs – 3
Lightweight Polypro Bottom
ThermaDry Tight Mild Weight Synthetic Bottoms
Lightweight Polyprop Top REI
ThermaDry Zip T Mid. weight Synthetic Top

APPROACH CLOTHING
Ex-Officio Shirts
Underwear: Jockey Shorts – 5
Ex-Officio Pants
Belt
Handkerchiefs
Sun Cap with Neck Protector Flaps
Hat

ACCESSORIES
Mountain Hardware Andinista Black Windstopper Helmet Liner
Mountain Hardware Black Butter Balaclava
Leather Gloves
Patagonia Blue Capaline Liners
Mountain Hardware Black Absolute Zero Mitt

FOOTWEAR
Hiking Boots: Zamberlan Leather 636 Baffin GT RR
Boot Bags: Large Zip Lock Bags(2)
Blue & White Polypro Liner Socks
Smartwooo Mountaineering Socks
Camp Shoes
Camp Shoe Sox
Keen Brown Sandals
Sandal Sox
Read more…

Drinking significant amounts of water while climbing Kilimanjaro is one of the keys to a successful summit. Most people drink 3 to 6 liters of water per day. The trick is making sure that you are drinking clean, safe water.

Ideally the best combination to ensure clean water is water purification tables – such as iodine – and a quality filter/purifier. This way you have double protection.

Typically, you fill up on water 3 times per day. First, you will fill up your nalgene bottles in the morning before leaving camp, then when you arrive in the new camp, and finally at night before you go to sleep. With the exception of the first day when you receive bottled water, the porters bring a bucket of water from steams to camp. One of the porters will use your water filter and pump it into your nalgene bottle, or your water treatment system. You will add your iodine tablet and other mixtures you want to include.

Things to remember with water filtration on Kilimanjaro:

• REI has the best selection of water filters and are extremely knowledgeable on the subject.
• If you have a big group, filtering water can take a long time. Make sure to prepare everyone in advance.
• Not everyone in the group needs a water filter. You should have one water filter for every two people
• Drinking pure water for many days is boring. Make sure to have some mix to add to the water, like Gatorade
• Water can be purchased in almost all of the tourist areas of East Africa.
• You will not need a water filter on safari.