Gear and equipment

Thu, 03/15/2007 - 06:04 — aeronik

For those of you who've been on a previous hike, you won't learn much on this page, but if you've never backpacked before and are planning to do so, there are some little tips on what to bring you need to know.

First of all, when you carry your stuff all around, you want it light... and you don't want to bring unnecessary gear. So you really need to plan and know exactly what you need... plus a little extra in case something goes wrong. You want to be ready for anything that could happen, but at the same time, you don't want too much stuff.... This is hard sometimes, let me tell you!

You need to make good choices about what to bring or not to bring... unless you want to look like this...

One thing you learn fast is RE-USE. Yeah sure! You will put your dirty stuff over and over again, but who cares??? You'll get used to it and so will the people around you...

Another important thing is, you don't want to get cold. You might need to buy some technical equipment or shirts/underwears made out of special fabrics that absorbs, breathes and dries easily. That stuff is always much more expensive, but in the end it's worth it because it last longer, and it does make a difference!!!  

Here is a list of what I will bring on my hike to Kilimanjaro. I will encounter a bit of cold weather when I'm going to be higher in altitude and especially on summit day, because we start the hike at midnight. We might walk in snow also, so I'll need different kind of gear.

Gear and equipment

Clothes

  • 3 pairs hiking socks + 2 liners
  • 4 underwears (no cotton)
  • 2 sports "dry fit" bras
  • 2 "Dry-fit" T-shirts
  • 2 "Dry-fit" long sleeves
  • 1 fleece long sleeves shirt
  • 1 long underwear (bottom)
  • 1 pants that switch into shorts (zipper)
  • 1 trekking pants
  • 1 fleece pants
  • 1 cotton T-shirt (to sleep)
  • 1 cap or hat

Feet

  • Hiking boots
  • Walking shoes
  • Flip flops
  • "mouflons" (big down slippers for the night)

Mountain equipment

  • Wind/Rain breaker  shell Coat (Gore Tex type)
  • Wind/Rain breaker shell Pants (Gore Tex type)
  • Inside lining coat (to wear under the shell)
  • No sleeves down jacket
  • Warm hat
  • Breathable hat (beanie)
  • Neck warmer
  • Gaiters
  • Mitts
  • Liners (2 pairs)
  • Goggles
  • Hiking poles

Toiletries

  • Easy dry towel
  • Mini hair brush (with a small miror inside, I need it to put my contact lenses)
  • Tooth brush
  • Tooth paste
  • Dental floss
  • Contact lenses
  • 2 pairs of glasses (in case one breaks)
  • Bug spray
  • Biodegradable soap (washes everything: clothes, body, hair, dishes,etc.)
  • Sun glasses
  • Deodorant
  • Hair bands
  • Lip balm
  • Sunscreen (FPS 30 and 60)
  • Wet-Ones
  • Nail clippers (very important to cut your toe nails when you're hiking, especially down)

UNNECESSARY
Last year when I went to Everest Base Camp, I brought dry shampoo because I thought my hair would sting AND stink . About the stinking I was right, but about the greasy look, I really didn't care and I found out that I had brought that article for nothing.

Other important stuff

  • Camera with wire for downloads
  • Memory cards (2 GB)
  • Lithium batteries (they're light and efficient)

On a trip I once brought my rechargeable batteries and my charger, just to find out that I didn't have the same connection. If you want to do so, make sure you have the right connection then your country.

  • Plastic bags
  • Backpack (65 liters)
  • Waist bag
  • Sleeping bag
  • Inside liner for sleeping bag
  • Head lamp
  • Spare bulb for head lamp
  • MP3 player
  • Money belt
  • 2 one liter lexan bottle
  • Thermal case for water bottle
  • Lighter or matches
  • Playing cards
  • Mini first aid kit
  • Money
  • Books and maps
  • Purifying system (for water)

Important papers

  • Passport (and photocopies)
  • Airplane ticket
  • Travellers checks
  • Money
  • Credit cards (right the phone number to join them in case of a loss or stolen somewhere inside your shoes...)
  • Vaccination booklet
  • Insurance covering helicopter rescue and program to bring you back to your country if you get seriously hurt.

Have a good time packing everyone!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Messages

what is best mattress ?

Visitor — Thu, 06/28/2007 - 05:12

I notice you didn't have mattress to sleep on ? Do u sleep on hard surface ? If not then what is best mattress to carry ?

Mattress

aeronik — Thu, 06/28/2007 - 17:04

Actually I had a mattress. I just forgot to include it in my list. But, to start with, the company told us that we didn't have to carry one, because the trek agency were providing some mattresses. But they also told me before we left that they were thin mattresses. Since I thought that my sleep was very important, I decided to bring my own mattress, therm-a-rest type or self inflating type. I actually did a good choice in bringing my own because the mattresses they were providing were humid because made of strong canvas and they couldn't dry. What I would do during the trek was put the mattress they were providing on the floor, then put mine on top, then put a thermal blanket (you know the kind of foil paper to avoid hypothermia) and then my sleeping bag on top of all this. The thermal blanket was keeping me away from the humidity. I really did sleep well. I had a -18*C sleeping bag. I really think that it's better to cut on some unneccessary stuff before cutting on sleeping gear. If you sleep well, then you can recuperate and acclimatize better. And the mattress I carried was just 1.5 pounds heavy, so it was worth it. It was a full length type. If you want to cut on the weight a bit more, they also sell 3/4 length type, which would make you gain a few grams and if you choose that kind of mattress, you just need to put something under your feet when you're lying (for example, you can put your back pack) to cut the humidity away from your feet.

I hope this answers your question,
Thank you,
Aeronik :o)