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Kilimanjaro
Trekking Tips |
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FOOD AND NUTRITION
AFRICAT provide the most nutritious and
fresh food available. While the region is
blessed with a quantity of excellent quality
fruits, vegetables and pulses, some of the
more processed energy foods are not
available and therefore it is recommended
that climbers bring their own high-energy
sweets and snacks such as granola bars,
power bars and glucose snacks etc. to
supplement their diet.
Plentiful portions are served at each meal
and are supplemented with fresh fruit. Hot
drinks are provided throughout and snacks
such as peanuts, biscuits and popcorn are
served in camp between meals. Individual
dietary requirements are catered to upon
request.
WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS
We strongly advise trekkers to drink as much
fluid as possible during their climb, as
much as 1.5 liters per day or more. Rehydration
plays a very important role in the
acclimatization process and keeps the body
in peak condition by flushing out toxins and
germs.
A one-and-a-half liter bottle of
mineral water per client per day is included in our treks and
perfectly safe boiled water can be prepared
by our camping crews on request. Kilimanjaro
stream water is not necessarily safe to
drink and we recommend that clients bring
their own purifying tablets and water
filters.
Tea, coffee, Milo and juice are available in
camp and flasks of sweet tea are carried on
the trail by guides. Diuretics such as
alcohol are not recommended as they lead to
dehydration. Water bottles with tubes and
mouthpieces, of a size to fit in a rucksack,
are excellent for constant sipping along the
trail; this is preferable to regular stops
for consuming large quantities at a go.
SEASONS AND TRAIL CONDITIONS
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The trails on most routes are clearly
defined and easy to follow. However,
conditions vary according to the prevailing
weather and on seasons of the year
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The lower slopes through the rainforest
can be very slippery throughout most of the
year so it is worthwhile to bring gaiters
and good walking boots/shoes to ensure that
you are properly equipped for this situation
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Walking through the open moorland and
alpine desert is on clear trails and
generally dry
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On the Machame Route, the climb out of
Barranco Valley can occasionally be slippy
in the morning and require some scrambling
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The final stages are through scree and
sometimes snow. This makes the final ascent
difficult and the descent becomes rather
hard on ones knees
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During the months of June and July, summit
areas can be particularly cold with snow
even whilst the lower slopes are dry
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The rainy months of April and May are best
avoided because of trail deterioration in
the rainforest and the general mood of
discontent which arises from prolonged
walking through mud, rain and low
visibility.
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PACKING FOR YOUR CLIMB
Clothing and accessories
The following is AFRICAT’s suggested list of
clothing and accessories. You will probably
have your own ideas and favorites, but our
list represents the ideal kit.
Protective Layers, Footwear and Head Gear
The ideal way to guard yourself from the
cold on the alpine summit is by wearing
layers of clothing topped by a protective
shell against the wind and extreme cold.
Therefore your clothing list should contain:
Protective Layers
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3-4 sets of normal underwear and 2 sets of
thermal underwear
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1 pair of shorts and a pair of lightweight
slacks
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2 light-weight shirts or t-shirts and 2
flannel shirts with long sleeves
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1 or 2 warm sweaters or fleeces
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1 down-filled, hooded Gore-Tex hooded
parka or anorak
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1 rain and wind-proof Gore-Tex jacket or
4-season rated duvet ski coat
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1 lightweight raincoat with hood (rain can
occur at any time on the lower slopes)
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1 pair of insulated ski or hiking gloves
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Mud gaiters are useful in the rainforest
and in the summit snow
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Footwear
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Waterproof, insulated hiking boots with
thick soles and rigid uppers. NB Boots must
be well broken in before the climb starts
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3 pairs of warm socks and 3 pairs of
lightweight socks for underneath the warm
ones
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1 or 2 pairs of lightweight walking or
running shoes with appropriate socks, for
wear in camp or on the lower slopes
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Head Gear
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1
hat with brim to protect neck
and face from the sun
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Plenty of sun-block for nose,
lips and the tops of ears
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1
balaclava, either fleece or
woolen, to wear beneath hat on
summit day
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Camping Equipment
The following is a list of equipment which
you should bring with you:
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A lightweight daypack for carrying your
own water, camera, film, lunch, etc.
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A medium-size and sturdy duffel bag or
frameless rucksack to contain all your
clothing & gear. (Porters will carry this
for you but will not carry suitcases)
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A well-insulated, 4-seasons sleeping bag,
suitable for 20 degree Fahrenheit
temperatures
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A camping pillow (optional)
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A flashlight with extra batteries and a
head lamp for reading at night and for the
last part of the climb which takes place in
the dark
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1 or 2 walking sticks for sustained
descents
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Dark sunglasses with high UV ray
protection or snow goggles. NB polarizing
glasses will not prevent snow blindness
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Sunscreen with high SPF and lip balm
containing a sun block
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Small hand towel, soap, tissues
and wet wipes, 2 rolls of toilet paper
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Plastic bags or bin liners for storing
wet/dirty clothes
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High-energy snacks (e.g. muesli bars,
chocolate) and instant hot drink packets
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Equipment Notes
We recommend that climbers carry all their
daily requirements in a daypack, including
water, rain-gear, snacks, sun-screen, lip
balm and
personal valuables such as passport and
money.
Frameless, sturdy duffel bags and rucksacks
are ideal for porters to carry up the
mountain. These will be carried ahead to the
next camp and so climbers must always carry
on their body what they will need for the
day.
Crampons are optional and rarely needed.
Books, games and playing cards are useful to
pass the time on acclimatization days when
an early arrival in camp is the norm.
Medical Kits
Before climbing Kilimanjaro, clients are
advised to consult their personal physician
for medical advice and suggested medical
kit. Our head guides have been trained in
first aid and altitude awareness and carry a
first aid kit but no medication. The
following are useful items to bring:
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A good supply of aspirin (for altitude
headaches; also useful for thinning the
blood at altitude)
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Blister kits, basic dressings and
knee/ankle supports for sustained descents
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A pocket or Swiss Army knife
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A good supply of re-hydration salts
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Medicine such as Lomotil for stomach
upsets
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A topical antibiotic spray or cream to use
if needed.
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Hygiene on
Kilimanjaro
A recurring concern for many climbers is
whether hygiene is of a sufficient standard
to prevent stomach disorders and other
illness. Please take note of the following:
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All
vegetables and salads are either
boiled, peeled or washed in a disinfectant
solution
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At
all mealtimes, a mild Dettol
solution is made available to
climbers for the thorough
washing of hands before eating
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We
strongly recommend that you
bring a good supply of
antiseptic wipes or hand-wash
liquid for use before snacking
on trail
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All
water must be boiled, bottled or
treated with purifiers
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Always use your sun-block, hat
and sunglasses as protection
against the harsh mountain sun
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Toilet tents are provided in
camp and you are advised to bury
your waste
if caught short on the trail.
Matches are provided for this
purpose.
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TIPS ON
ACCLIMATIZATION TO ALTITUDE AND HYGIENE ON
THE MOUNTAIN
Acclimatization to Altitude
All Kilimanjaro climbers feel the effects of
altitude to some degree. The most
important factor in a successful summit of
Kilimanjaro is the effort made by trekkers
themselves, both before and during their
climb, to acclimatize to altitude. The
following are suggestions as to how you can
speed up the process and increase your
chances of a successful and enjoyable climb:
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Follow a physical fitness
program before you come. The
program should be geared to
strengthening your most
important climbing muscles -
heart and legs. The best
exercise for this is to walk
five miles every day or to take
light to medium aerobic exercise
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Consume lots of fluids during
your trek. Rehydration flushes
out toxins and germs from the
system and ensures that your
circulation and all bodily
functions are improved.
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Include rest days in your climb.
Every extra night spent on the
way to the summit is a very
worthwhile investment
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Trek slowly, hike high. Don’t
try to rush the mountain. Walk
slowly to your next campsite
and, when there, take time to
walk to a point higher than that
at which you will sleep. This
latter activity pays dividends
in acclimatizing your body to an
altitude with less oxygen, thus
improving your sleep.
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Whether or not to take Diamox is
your personal decision with the
advice of your doctor.
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