I was certain I knew what to pack after reading every article about Mount Kilimanjaro’s Lemosho Route. Each time I watched another video on YouTube, it seemed like I added another ‘one last thing’ to my Kili Headquarters pile of stuff. Oh well! If you’re reading this in preparation for your trip, you’re likely doing the same.
Bear in mind, however, that the porters can carry no more than 33 pounds of gear. This is all in part to ensure the fair and ethical treatment of Kilimanjaro porters. Read more about the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) by clicking here. So, as long as you can fit all your gear into your duffle without going over that limit, you are in business! Believe me when I tell you, think in terms of more is less.
Many of the touring companies have packing lists, but you’d still be wise to seek out videos and read related articles to get a feel for the extra, miscellaneous items that might suit your specific needs. There were a few items I wish I had thought to bring with me (for example, traction cleats for the descent).
More than anything, though, I felt really proud of myself for packing the few creature comforts I did to make my eight-day trek a bit more enjoyable. Those items, in no particular order, are as follows:
Inflatable pillow with removable cover. I’m so glad I thought to purchase this pillow. You will be sleeping on an air mattress and, in my case, the mat provided by our tour operator. This means your head will be slightly elevated above the ground. On my first night in the tent, I laid down with my head dropped below my body in an uncomfortable position. I found my pillow and blew it up. Yes! That was the best decision ever.
FLEXTAILGEAR Tiny and Portable Air Pump Ultra-Mini Pump This little, tiny portable air pump was clutch! I figured the air pump would be useful when we were at higher altitudes and my breath was scarce. I used it the whole time, not only for my air mattress but also for my pillow and my tentmate’s air mattress & pillow. It has 5 different nozzles, can also be used to deflate, and I didn’t have to recharge it at all during the trip.
Sea to Summit Reactor Insulated Sleeping Bag Liner. This liner, in addition to my ThermaRest Parsec sleeping bag, kept me toasty. At Kosovo camp (15,975 feet up the mountain), temperatures were -7 and below (trust me, I took a screenshot when I pulled my phone out to text my mom). I slept like a baby. The insulated sleeping bag liner adds extra warmth and personal hygiene to any sleeping bag. It was too warm to use at the rainforest level, but I broke it out at Shira II Camp. It’s soft and cozy to give you that safe feeling to put you to sleep.
Solar Charger Power Bank– You’re probably not surprised to hear there are no outlets along the trail. Depending on how many electrical devices you opt to bring with you, you’ll need a power bank. I brought two phones, a go-pro, a Garmin watch, and a USB-charged headlamp. This power bank kept everything charged. It also served as a light for our tent. It has two light settings: bright & not so bright. I wasn’t surprised that it lasted the entire trek (including the days before and after at the hotel and on the safari) without the need to charge.
Cottonelle Wet Wipes– This may sound like an obvious add-on, but I cannot express how much comfort I found in using these wet wipes. My hands stayed dirty. Between having to constantly walk with hiking sticks, having to “send a text message” (use the bathroom either outside or in a portable port-a-potty), and just being outside, my hands were grimy. Let’s not get started on my nailbeds. You may also want to bring something to get under your nails if that brings you comfort. Suffice it to say, the wet wipes were a substitute for soap & water, hand sanitizer (although you should bring that too), and a bath!
Eczema Honey– Eczema Honey is a skin-soothing cream made of natural ingredients to moisturize & relieve itching. It was voted in Allure as one of the best eczema creams to relieve itch, according to dermatologists. This 1% colloidal oatmeal lotion soothes dry skin quickly with almond oil and olive oil. I knew my face would get sunburned, so I thought I might need it to relieve the dryness. I did. All of our noses got sunburned. My forearms blistered (even with sunscreen, long sleeves, and while in the rainforest on the way down). I used the eczema honey to lessen the flaking and soothe the burn.
Collapsible Bowl– The thought of a collapsible bowl came from a YouTube video I watched prior to my trip. The porters bring you hot water to wash up in the morning. The collapsible is useful for keeping the water separated. This helps you save clean water for when you are done scrubbing down your main bowl. You may also want to find a collapsible cup. I was always looking for an extra cup to rinse my mouth after brushing my teeth.
Camp Shoes: THE NORTH FACE Thermoball Traction Winter Bootie–After a day of hiking, one of the first things you want to do when you get back to camp is take your boots off! You’ll use these while hanging out at camp, to go to the bathroom at night, and to give your feet a break. Make sure to bring them inside your tent. Some of my team lost theirs to the wind.
Pack-n-Wipe Disposable Compressed Towels These little towel wafers are a game changer. You simply wet them, and they open up into a large, strong, cloth face-towel. Even more convenient is the fact that they come in a little plastic case. Ten to a container. I used four a day. These are also something you can stash in your car for when you need them.
PStyle with carrying case — This device is the biggest low-key flex of the trip! The PStyle made peeing in the woods a piece of cake. Because I wear boxer briefs, all I had to do was stick it through a few holes, and I was “sending a text message.” I can’t tell you how convenient the PStyle made something that could have been one of the most uncomfortable portions of the trek. Because you’ll be drinking water all the time (to assist with acclimatization), you’ll have to pee all the time. Get the PStyle and make things easy on yourself—a man will, of course, have no trouble with it!
I was happy that I had remembered to pack these things for my journey. Of course, you will need all the appropriate hiking clothing, such as pants, jackets, and boots. Just keep in mind that you could be gone from home for up to 10 days, depending on the route you take. Take a little bit of home with you. You will be happy that you did.
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One Response
Your phrase is matchless… 🙂