What to Pack on Mountain Trekking
Climbing Gear
The right mountain climbing gear is of utmost importance to the success and safety of your tropical mountain trek.
We suggest that you bring with you the itemized list for your trek.
Porters will carry up to (10Kilogrames) of your personal gear and no more!
Our suggested packing list shall allow you keep to the weight limit. However,if you wish to engage more porter support, our expedition team shall accommodate the need.
Just let us know in advance if you require this extra support
flexivel Kenya safaris Mountain trek team suggests that trekking equipment should be categorized as follows.
Practical & Light.
Practical mountain gear determines warmth, temperatures, and safety on climb and thus the need to choose good quality equipment that is dependable and flexible under conditions of extreme variety
Clothing
Mountain clothing caters for both safety and comfort
Quality and proper fitting of your clothing are important.
Wool or synthetic fabrics that keep moisture from the body and are easy to dry are recommended
A four layer clothing plan is recommended
First Layer
This layer manages moisture and keeps body perspiration away from your skin.
Second layer -soft Shell
This should be a layer that breathes well.
It should also be wind / water resistant,comfortable and also durable .
Recommended Soft shell fabrics are Polartec Wind Pro, Gore Windstopper N2S, Schoeller; each clothing manufacturer has their own. 200 weight fleece can be substituted for our Softshell recommendations but is not as versatile with how it may be used when layering.
Hard Shell
Windproof, waterproof and breathable. (e.g. Gore-Tex, or similar)
Insulating Layer
Should be down-fill or synthetic-fill and fit over all layers. (e.g. down, primaloft or polarguard)
The four layers are sufficient for most climbers,a vest is an added advantage to keep warm around the camp
During packing, please bring enough clothes and accessories to ensure your safety and comfort, while keeping to the essentials
Sleeping Gear
We recommend a 4 season sleeping bag and a liner:
Night-time temperatures on the mountain can be as low as -10 degrees c and thus a warm bag is required
Sleeping pad: Full-length Therma-Rest or equivalent.
Head and Face
Fleece or wool hat/Balaclava: to also cover the ears/ cheeks
Shade hat: a visor hat with a good brim is essential for protection from the equatorial sun
Bandanas: various uses – cleaning glasses, sun protection when tied around the neck, etc.
Sunglasses or Glacier glasses: essential eye protection whether in the tropics, at high altitudes or by the water.
Upper Body
T-shirts: two t-shirts that will get dirty; Patagonia capilene is best. Avoid cotton
Long underwear top: one medium weight and one heavyweight long sleeve Patagonia capilene, pull-over is best.
Fleece or soft shell Jacket: This is what you will be wearing while hiking at higher altitudes or while around at camps at lower altitude. These jackets should be full-zip and accessible. Check more details on “Soft-shell”.
Gore-Tex Parka: a good parka made of Gortex or waterproof nylon that has been seam sealed. Afternoon showers are common on tropical mountains
Down or Synthetic Jacket: This layer is to keep you warm, especially at those higher altitudes.
Patagonia Puffball Jacket is good for the Mountain treks
Fleece Glove: a lightweight glove to use while trekking and hanging around camp
Shell Gloves: A shell system of a fleece liner and waterproof shell that handles cold.
Lower Body
Undergarments: adequate supply for the entire climb
Hiking shorts: one pair of quick-drying shorts; good for hiking at lower elevations on the mountain
Long underwear / Johns or tights: These can be worn under heavier layers on colder days or worn by themselves on warmer days, which are why tights are good.
Soft Shell Pants: soft-shell pants are water resistant, yet highly breathable and durable.
Great for colder conditions over a pair of long underwear or tights
Gore-Tex Pants: a lightweight pair of pants to keep you dry when raining or snowing hard. Full-zips are convenient.
Feet
Thin socks: two pair of polypropylene socks to wear under heavy wool socks; help prevent blisters and keep feet dry
Thick socks: two pair of heavy wool or polypropylene socks, medium to heavyweight.
Hiking boots: one pair light to medium weight hiking boots large enough to be comfortable with one thin and one heavy sock. (Use tried and tested boots to avoid blisters and take a good supply of Compeed blister plasters)
Gaiters: one pair of gaiters made of breathable material; keeps dirt and mud out of boots
Tennis shoes or sandals: to wear in camp after a day of hiking
Personal Health
Toiletries: toothbrush and paste, comb, tampons, biodegradable soap (small amt.), etc.
Sunscreen: bring plenty of sun block with SPF of 15 or more. It’s easy to underestimate the amount necessary for equatorial sun protection.
Lip balm: must have SPF rating of 15 or more
Ear plugs: to block out snoring and other noise to ensure a good night’s sleep Flashlight and/or headlamp: bring extra batteries
Personal first aid and drug kit
Towel: for wash up in camp
Towelettes: individually wrapped anti-bacterial towels are great for general hygiene
Spare contacts or glasses: contacts can be a problem in dusty conditions; glasses wearers should have a spare set
Water
Water bottles: two one-quart, wide-mouthed plastic bottles. If you use a collapsible water bottle or hydration system you are welcome to bring it along for drinking water. However, continue to bring at least one hard plastic bottle in addition. These can be used in cold weather as hot water bottles in your sleeping bag. (Example: Nalgene)
Water treatment tablets: one small bottle of Potable Agua or Polar Pure crystal iodine; purifies drinking water while on the trek.
Water flavoring: powdered additives like Tang, Gatoraid and Wyler’s lemonade make treated water taste better.
More essentials
Adjustable ski poles
Umbrella (optional): protection from rain and sun compact and light weight Portable chair: (optional): Therma-rest and Crazy Creek both make light-weight, comfortable portable chairs.
Snacks: (optional): in case there is something you like to snack on while hiking, you can bring some along
Plastic sandwich bags: keeps personal items separate and dry
Carrying Gear
Day Pack: with padded shoulder straps and waist belt; To carry personal essentials such as water bottle, extra clothing, snacks, camera, etc. Individual loads will be between 5 and 10 kgs. A climbing pack with a volume between 25-30 litres serves most people needs well.
Large Backpack: gear will be kept in it and the entire Backpack will go into the group mountain bag that will be carried by the porters. Limit loads to items on the equipment list. Your large Backpack cannot exceed 10 kgs. Approx: 28″x16″x16″ No wheels or hard sided bags
Medium duffel bag: to store your non-mountain gear; this will be stored at the hotel, to be used after the climb and will be brought to your hotel.
Plastic bags: sleeping bag and clothes will be double-bagged while on the mountain for protection from afternoon rains. Heavy-duty garbage bags work great and can store dirty or wet clothes as well.
Game Viewing
Binoculars: essential for game-viewing
Camera.
