Kilimanjaro Gear List

[Brett Rasmussen]

I'm doing a medical rotation in Tanzania in January and am planning on climbing Mt Kilimanjaro. I understand that guides are required and plan on choosing a trekking company in Moshi. However I am not a fan of having someone carry my gear for me, cook for me, fetch water for me, etc. I plan on going along with a group, but I hope to keep some degree of independence in terms of self support. From what I have read in Kilimanjaro: The Trekking Guide to Africa's Highest Mountain. I'm confident I can find a trekking company that will go along with this, but if they are instantiate I may hire a porter in case I need help.

A little information about me: I've been to Nigeria for a month so I know a little about interacting in Africa (culture, visas, vaccinations, etc.), but I've never been to Tanzania. I understand the importance of supporting porters work in the there economy. The highest I have been in the past was Mt Whitney last April. I did not experience any symptoms of AMS beyond the typical shortness of breath. I'm 5'10” and 155 pounds and don't have any joint problems. I've run marathons in the past and am training for Kilimanjaro the same way I would train for running a marathon.

Here is my gear list. If you go to the PDF version through my profile there are links to most of the commercial gear I reference. Any advice is appreciated.

Backpack:
Ospery Exos 46 medium Backpack 1,050 g (37 oz)
Homemade silnylon pack cover Keep pack dry 69 g (2.5 oz)

Shelter:
Black Diamond Hilight with Fibraplex poles Tent 1,162 g (41 oz)
4 MSR Ground Hog Stakes Base tie-outs 57 g (2 oz)
4 MSR Needle Stakes For extra tie-outs 35 g (1.25 oz)

Sleep System:
Western Mountaineering Versalite medium Sleeping bag 1,063 g (37.5oz)
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir regular Pad 391 g (13.8oz)
Homemade foam pillow Pillow 55 g (1.95 oz)
Homemade down booties Sleeping system 65 g (2.25 oz)
Earplugs and 6 Benadryl Sleeping insurance 2 g (.07oz)

Cooking Gear:
MSR XGK Expedition with 11fl oz fuel bottle Stove 507 g (17.9oz)
Small box of matches Fire to start stove 7 g (.25 oz)
REI Ti Ware Nonstick Titanium Pot – 1.3 Liter Cookware 164 g (5.8 oz)
MSR Folding Spoon Cooking and eating 14 g (.5 oz)

Clothing:
Surprise Silk Shirt Warm weather shirt 72 g (2.55 oz)
Montbell Alpine Light Down Parka Small Warm jacket 403 g (14.2 oz)
Homemade cashmere top Base layer 252 g (8.9 oz)
Homemade silnylon jacket Rain protection/vapor barrier 89 g (3.15 oz)
Seirus Innovation Neofleece Combo Face warmth 51 g (1.8 oz)
Homemade nylon pants Warm weather pants 75 g (2.65 oz)
Terramar Woolskins Bottoms small Base layer 155 g (5.45 oz)
Icebreaker Boxer Brief Underwear 67 g (2.35 oz)
Possum Glove Warm gloves 43 g (1.5 oz)
6 XL Nitrile gloves Waterproof gloves 38 g (1.35 oz)

Footwear:
Vasque Aether Tech SS US size 10 Shoes 640 g (22.6 oz)
Thin base-layer socks Socks 42 g (1.5 oz) (estimate)
Toasty Feet Insole 88 g (3.1 oz)
Smartwool trekking heavy crew Warm socks 92 g (3.25 oz)
Homemade silnylon socks Vapor barrier socks 23 g (.8 oz)
Integral Designs eVent Shortie Gaiter Gaiters 69 g (2.45 oz)

Medical/Protection:
Acetaminophen, aspirin, caffeine Treat headaches 14 g (.5 oz)
Diamox Prevent AMS 3g (.1 oz) (estimate)
Homemade first aid/emergency kit First aid 156 g (5.5 oz)
Sunglasses Eye protection 24 g (.85 oz)
Chapstick Chapstick 10 g (.35oz)
SPF 60 Sunscreen Skin protection 43 g (1.5 oz)

Toiletries:
Aurelle TOOB Brush Tooth brush 43 g (1.5 oz)
Toilet paper Toilet paper 78 g (2.75 oz)
Dr Bronner's bar soap piece of bar Dishes and hands 30 g (1.05 oz)
Small sponge Cleaning and drying 7 g (.2 oz)
Disposable water bottle Pee bottle 11 g (.4 oz)

Electric:
Black Diamond Cosmo headlamp Lighting 71 g (2.50z)
Kestrel 4000 Pocket Wind Meter Weather recorder 105 g (3.7 oz)
Panasonic DMC-ZR1K Camera 231 g (8.15 oz)
Gorillapod Camera stand 44 g (1.55 oz)
Spare camera battery Extra camera battery 23 g (.8 oz)
Ziplock bag for camera Camera protection 6 g (.2 0z)
ipod shuffle and headphones Music 20 g (.7 oz)

Miscellaneous:
Passport and Wallet Basics 56 g (2 oz)
Gerber Ultralight L.S.T. Knife 16 g (.55 oz)
Outdoor Products Dry Sack 488 cu. Inches Food bag 40 g (1.4 oz)
Outdoor Products Dry Sack 488 cu. Inches Fetch water 40 g (1.4 oz)
2 1 Liter Platy Bottle Water containers 57 g (2 oz)
20 Katadyn Micropur Purification Tablets Treats 10 L water 13 g (.45 oz)

Weight varies during trip:
Food 7 days 4,000 g (141oz) (estimated)
Water 2 liters 2,000 g (70.5oz) (estimated)
Fuel 10 fl oz 220 g (7.8 oz) (estimated)

Total base gear weight: 5,780 g (12 pounds 12oz)
Total gear, food, water, and fuel weight: 12,000 g (26 pounds 7 oz)
Total gear and clothing weight: 7,980 g (17 pounds 9 oz)
Total everything weight: 14,197 g (31 pounds 5 oz)
Actual bag weight at start (total weight minus clothing worn at start): 13,209 g (29 pounds 2 oz)
Estimated weight of bag at end of trek: 8,672 g (19 pounds 2 oz)

Items I'm probably not going to take, but still considering:
Gossamer Gear Lightrek 4 Trekking Poles Trekking poles 211 g (7.5 oz)
Garmin Oregon 400t GPS 197 g (7 oz)
Black Diamond Absolute Mitt Very warm hands 350 g (12.35 oz)
Montane Super-Fly XT Jacket Breathable waterproof 465 g (16.4 oz)
Therm-A-Rest Z lite Size Regular Extra pad insulation 447 g (15.75)
4 SMC T-Anchor With cord and mini carabiners Snow stakes 115 g (4.05 oz)

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