Kit and Equipment lists

Below are lists of the various items of kit and equipment you will need for the various expeditions and events we run.

Kit for expeditions and events

  • B2 or B3 Mountaineering boots*
  • Crampons*
  • Ice Axe*
  • Helmet*
  • Rucksack 30- 50 Litre
  • Rucksack liner- to keep things dry
  • Hat & or balaclava
  • Mitts & gloves
  • Head torch
  • Snow/ ski goggles
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Waterproof over trousers or salopettes
  • Gaiters
  • Walking socks
  • Thermals both legs and top
  • Trousers
  • Fleece/mid layer tops x2
  • Synthetic/ down jacket
  • Vacuum Flask (metal)
  • Water bottle
  • Lunch and spare food/ snacks for the day
  • Trekking poles
  • Whistle and Watch
  • Blister kit/ small first aid kit
  • Bivvy bag
* items may be loaned from Hepworth Adventures
Click here to download the list as a PDF document

Baggage and Sleeping

  • Large Rucksack or Holdall, 70-90 litres capacity (for kit carried by porter)
  • Small rucksack or holdall to keep at the hotel when you are on the trek
  • Daysack, 20-35 litres (for personal use on mountain; ready-access items)
  • Waterproof rucksack liner or waterproof rucksack cover
  • Sleeping Bag (comfort- minus 10 degrees Centigrade rating or colder)
  • Sleeping mat (closed cell foam or self-inflating)
  • Sleeping bag liner (added warmth, optional)

Mountain Clothing

  • Sweat-wicking T-shirts / vests a mixture of long sleeve and short sleeve x4
  • Fleece X2
  • Insulated down jacket or similar x1
  • Down mittens or similar- properly warm ones e.g. ski gloves
  • Second pair of thinner mittens/ gloves
  • Thermal trousers for summit night/ sleeping.
  • Walking trousers x2
  • Underwear x3? ... I’m sure you’ll work out how much you need
  • Shorts (but not too short if that makes sense)... be aware of local customs and traditions
  • Very good quality hiking socks x3 or 4 (also optional liner socks)
  • Breathable lightweight waterproofs (jacket and trousers)
  • Walking boots, sturdy and worn-in
  • Spare boot laces
  • Gaiters (optional)
  • Balaclava (optional)
  • Buff (optional)
  • Goretex Mountain Cap or Woollen Hat
  • Wide brimmed sun hat to protect face, ears and neck
  • Trainers- that you could walk in if your boots become uncomfortable
  • Sandals/ sliders- for relaxing around in during the expedition

Travel Clothing

  • I suggest bringing a full set of trekking clothing in your hand baggage in case your bag ends up in a different place than you on the way out.
  • Swimming costume
  • Towel

Hygiene

  • Toothbrush, toothpaste & deodorant
  • Small Flat packed Wet Ones, travel wipes, or similar for personal hygiene on the mountain.
  • Kleenex tissues in plastic travel pouches or toilet paper
  • Hairbrush / comb (optional)
  • Sanitary products
  • Lip salve with UV protection
  • Vaseline, to prevent chafing skin and heel friction blisters
  • Hand sanitiser

Health Related Items

  • Malaria tablets (if you choose to take these. Seek advice from your GP. Note that some anti-malarial courses need to commence several weeks before departure)
  • Diamox/ Acetazolamide (optional)
  • Factor 30+ sun cream
  • Sun barrier cream white / blue for nose and ears- there’s not much between us and the sun at 5000m
  • Insect repellent (prevention is better than cure!)

Accessories

  • Sunglasses with UV-filter lenses
  • High energy snacks (Cereal bars, dried fruit and nuts)
  • Water bottles 1 litre & water bladder (2 litres carrying capacity)- don’t just have a water bladder
  • Pee bottle 1 litre (for night time)
  • Stuff sacks or plastic bags to keep items dry and free from dust
  • Watch with alarm
  • Lightweight quick dry towel

Documents

  • Passport (with additional 6 months’ validity after proposed expedition return date)
  • Tanzanian Entry Visa.
  • Hard copy of Air Travel Documents
  • Cash in US dollars in denominations of $10 and $20 and $1 (tipping allowance and local purchases, taxis, meals, etc)
  • Credit Card (recommended for eventualities only)
  • Travel Insurance Documents
  • Vaccination Certificates – Yellow fever is not required when entering directly from the UK. But if your flight stops in a country like Kenya, you may well need the certificate. You can get a yellow fever vaccination but be aware of the side effects both short term and long term from this vaccination.

Other things to be brought/ considered (optional)

  • A good paperback book- hopefully one that we can swap with each other or a Kindle
  • Small notebook and pen/ pencil to record your trip
  • Uno cards/ playing cards
  • Digital Camera and spare memory cards & batteries
  • Power bank to charge electrical items
  • Nice snacks that you cannot get out there e.g. chocolate/ Haribo
  • Spare Contact Lenses and fluid, if worn
  • Head torch with spare batteries and bulb for summit night & tent admin
  • Optional but recommended: hydration aids (portable electrolyte replacement tablets)
  • Water Purification Tablets / Iodine drops
  • Ear Plugs and blindfold (to aid sleep on afternoon before summit night)
  • Walking poles (optional)
  • Mobile phone. There is signal reception on most parts of the mountain. It is a good idea to unlock your phone before you come out so that a local sim card can be used

Personal Small First Aid Kit to be carried by each person

  • Pain killers (Ibuprofen & Paracetamol)
  • Diamox (Acetazolamide) if you choose to use this- check out the web and make your decision
  • Zinc oxide tape and small scissors.
  • Plasters
  • Compeed blister pads
  • Loperamide Diahorrea Tablets
  • Any medication you normally use
  • Dioralyte sachets or similar rehydration packs
  • Medical gloves x2 pairs minimum
  • Lip balm

Suggested reading- prior to departure or on the mountain

  • Kilimanjaro to the roof of Africa: Salkeld and Breashears
  • The Shadow of Kilimanjaro: on foot across East Africa: Rick Ridgeway
  • In the Mist of Kilimanjaro: David Western
  • Blood sisters: Barbara Keating

Suggested viewing

  • The Lion King
  • Blood Diamond
  • Constant Gardner
Bags and Packing
  • 60-70 Litre Rucksack
  • Rucksack Liner to keep things dry
Sleeping
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping mat
  • Waterproof bag for sleeping bag
Clothing
  • Walking boots or good fitting trainers
  • Walking socks x2 pairs
  • Underwear
  • Thermal top or T shirt x2
  • Walking trousers or tracksuit trousers
  • Thermal bottoms/ leggings
  • Mid layer fleece/ jumper
  • Warm Jacket/ additional layer
  • Waterproof Jacket
  • Waterproof Trousers
  • Wooly hat/ sun hat
  • Gloves
Camping
  • Plastic mug/ bowl plate
  • Spoon fork knife
  • Water bottle- you need 2 to 3 litres per day
  • Pot scourer to clean your stove
  • Disposable lighter- much better than matches but make sure you know how to use it
  • Washing kit/ personal hygiene items
  • Towel (this only needs to be small lightweight packing towel)
  • Sun cream
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Toilet paper and tissues
  • Watch (at least 1 per tent)
  • Head torch and spare batteries
  • Small pocket knife/ pocket tool
  • Notebook or spare paper to write on and a pen
Medical items
  • Use your judgement but you need to be able to cope with blisters, small cuts and grazes and painkillers.
  • Your own personal medical items e.g. inhaler for asthma
Bags and Packing
  • 60-70 Litre Rucksack
  • Rucksack Liner to keep things dry
Sleeping
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping mat
  • Waterproof bag for sleeping bag
Clothing
  • Walking boots or good fitting trainers
  • Walking socks x2 pairs
  • Underwear
  • Thermal top or T shirt x2
  • Walking trousers or tracksuit trousers
  • Thermal bottoms/ leggings
  • Mid layer fleece/ jumper
  • Warm Jacket/ additional layer
  • Waterproof Jacket
  • Waterproof Trousers
  • Wooly hat/ sun hat
  • Gloves
Camping
  • Plastic mug/ bowl plate
  • Spoon fork knife
  • Water bottle- you need 2 to 3 litres per day
  • Pot scourer to clean your stove
  • Disposable lighter- much better than matches but make sure you know how to use it
  • Washing kit/ personal hygiene items
  • Towel (this only needs to be small lightweight packing towel)
  • Sun cream
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Toilet paper and tissues
  • Watch (at least 1 per tent)
  • Head torch and spare batteries
  • Small pocket knife/ pocket tool
  • Notebook or spare paper to write on and a pen
Medical items
  • Use your judgement but you need to be able to cope with blisters, small cuts and grazes and painkillers.
  • Your own personal medical items e.g. inhaler for asthma
Bags and Packing
  • 60-70 Litre Rucksack
  • Rucksack Liner to keep things dry
Sleeping
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping mat
  • Waterproof bag for sleeping bag
Clothing
  • Walking boots or good fitting trainers
  • Walking socks x2 pairs
  • Underwear
  • Thermal top or T shirt x2
  • Walking trousers or tracksuit trousers
  • Thermal bottoms/ leggings
  • Mid layer fleece/ jumper
  • Warm Jacket/ additional layer
  • Waterproof Jacket
  • Waterproof Trousers
  • Wooly hat/ sun hat
  • Gloves
Camping
  • Plastic mug/ bowl plate
  • Spoon fork knife
  • Water bottle- you need 2 to 3 litres per day
  • Pot scourer to clean your stove
  • Disposable lighter- much better than matches but make sure you know how to use it
  • Washing kit/ personal hygiene items
  • Towel (this only needs to be small lightweight packing towel)
  • Sun cream
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Toilet paper and tissues
  • Watch (at least 1 per tent)
  • Head torch and spare batteries
  • Small pocket knife/ pocket tool
  • Notebook or spare paper to write on and a pen
Medical items
  • Use your judgement but you need to be able to cope with blisters, small cuts and grazes and painkillers.
  • Your own personal medical items e.g. inhaler for asthma