Conquering Kilimanjaro with Legacy Exchange Outfitters A great Kilimanjaro Experience
Kilimanjaro is the mountain of dreams. It is a lodestone set apart on the African plains. To see the glint of snow and ice through the clouds for the first time is unforgettable. For those wishing to experience first-hand the forest, moorland and alpine zone and to stand on the summit of Africans highest mountain. Legacy Exchange Outfitters offers unique trekking and climbing experiences. Our expert guides ensure that every step of your ascent is safe, meaningful, and deeply rewarding.
This information will help you address how to counter and overcome altitude-related problems, in this article Legacy will tackle living and operating effectively at altitude, also guideline and general advice for people not too familiar with mountain equipment.
Kilimanjaro Weather
General weather pattern begins with blue-sky mornings, afternoon is often cloudy with possible rain on the lower levels and sleet, hail and snow on the moorland and alpine areas. At dusk, the clouds clear and the nighttime Kilimanjaro sky can be very spectacular. Kili misconception many people think the equatorial mountains are warmer than similar peaks in the northern hemisphere. Mountains in East Africa can be very cold and wet in the alpine zone; they go from high summer in the day to mid-winter at night.
Kilimanjaro Equipment and Clothing.
At Legacy Exchange Outfitters, we understand that the right equipment can make all the difference between a challenging climb and an unforgettable adventure. We advise all climbers to acquire their clothing and gear from reputable mountain outfitters to ensure safety, comfort, and performance in all weather conditions. During your Kilimanjaro booking, our experienced team will provide you with a comprehensive equipment and clothing checklist, along with personalized guidance to help you prepare for every stage of the climb — from the rainforest to the snowy summit. It’s also possible to rent items at the Kilimanjaro Park entrance and that way you don’t need to carry a lot of staff on plain.
Outerwear
If you have never bought any mountain gear before, the terminology may be a little confusing. Here is what you need to know
| Wick ability | Clothing ability to get rid of moister. |
| RET | Evaporative Resistance of a textile. Determines how easy it is for moisture to move away from the body to the outside. Usually there is a number in front of RET to tell you how well the textile breaths |
| Waterproof.
Water-repellent Water-Resistant |
Fabric that sheds or repels water. |
| PSI | Pressure pound per Square Inch both British and American Standards. Determine fabric ability to withstand the pressure of rain hitting the garment. The higher the number in the front of the PSI the greater the fabric can withstand water. |
| Windchill Prevention. | Garments that are windproof and often made of breathable fleece fabric. |
| Wind block or Wind stooping | Gore Tex Sympatex, eVent and Polatrec or popular brand names |
Keeping clean
All outer clothing must be washed after extensive use in order to maintain its performance. Gote-Tex, Sympatex and eVent trade names have breathable coatings or membranes. The pores on these garments get clogged with dirt and grease. Use a gentle non-biological detergent like Nikwax Tech Wash to wash these garments. However, keep in mind that repeated washing can remove any water-shedding treatment from the manufacturer. You can usually determine this if the garment stays wet on the outside, instead of raindrops rolling off. Sometimes slow tumble-drying can rex cccconstitute the water-shedding properties. If it fails, Nikwax TX-Direct spray can restore the waterproofing
With the various outer clothing on the market, you must read the particular washing and drying instructions carefully. The manufacturers maintain not to use fabric conditioner as it could decrease the water repellent lifespan.
Hypothermia
Even though we have good mountain gear, it is still possible to get hypothermia (rapid lowering of the body temperature), Hypothermia can be very serious, particularly if the weather suddenly changes to a cold wind or rain from sweaty conditions.
Photo: picha kili
At times, the weather can change to near freezing conditions within a few minutes. Lower on the trek, you may wear light shirt if it is hot. However, you must always carry in your daypack a fleece jacket and a hooded waterproof and windproof outer shell. Do not wait too long before you pull them on. Having cold fingers and toes is all right—it’s not hypothermia.
Nightie nights
Higher up on the mountain and on summit night (yes, you will be making your summit bid to Uhuru peak at night), the popular concept is layering the upper body before you go to sleep. Three layers of polypropylene and fibre pile is a good combination. I am not saying that it works for everyone, some people may require four layers. You don’t want to become too hot and start sweating. Taking off a layer or two may cool you down too much because of the evaporating sweat.
Footwear
Lately, footwear has almost become a science. The only inventions that are yet to be developed are wings on boot ankles! The choice is mind-boggling and I will not venture into this arena.
First things first
Whatever choice you make, be sure that the boots feel right from the very moment you buy them. First impressions are usually the best. The boots must leave spare room in front of your toes and have a good support for your foot. That seems obvious but some people are more colour and style conscious than practical!
People with strong ankles like to trek in sneakers or training shoes—a fine idea since it is often hot during the day on the lower levels. This saves your mountain boots for the summit ascent. It is very important to keep the summit boots dry. Some people put their boots in a plastic bag on the summit night and sleep with them in their sleeping bag.
They maybe a little lumpy in the bag but at least you start with warm feet! Could be that you don’t have large enough plastic bags. Most boots have inner soles—take those out and sleep with them instead.
All exposed skin is a major source of heat loss. Heat loss from an uncovered head or uncovered hands could be as much as 50% of the total heat loss is the air temperature is below 5°C (40°F). Physical exertion increases heat loss from the lungs and by evaporation and from the skin by sweating, hence, depleting body fluids. Therefore, it is important to keep on taking flaids even if it is very cold on the mountain.
Hypothermia can affect any member of your climbing party. The most common symptom of hypothermis is shivering. If the affected person doesn’t cover up correctly, the sympions deteriorate to stumbling. falling and inability to use hands. Slow thought, speech and confusion may follow. The person may be gives so spurts of speed and a sudden inability to walk or stand property. These are signs that the person’s core is dangerously cooling down If the symptoms worsen, the person could collapse and lose consciousness. ln extremely bad weather, the affected person could die. Hypothennia kills more people than any other mountain condition. On Kalimanjaro, it is unlikely that this will happen. However, why be the first?
Cold feet
You can suffer from cold feet on Kilimanjaro, particularly on the night ascent.
I have yet to find boots or socks that truly help me. Now that is a challenge to any manufacturer! What I am saying is that if you have the same problem, don’t worry. With a well-known boot brand and modern socks, you may be uncomfortable but you won’t get frostbite. You will suffer like me until your feet warm up. Wiggle your toes often on the way up-that will certainly help.
How many socks?
You will need light socks for the lower level. For the alpine area and summit night, you need thick dry socks. Some trekkers have a sock fetish-half their luggage is socks. Others pack only two or three pairs.
Why not strike a happy medium and takde eight pairs for a six-day trek?
That would be one clean pair every day and two spare pairs. If your summit boots are large enough, you may require two pairs on the ascent. Also, if you have misplaced your gloves, you can use an extra pair as mitts. What happens if you are down to your last dry pair and all the others are wet? Sleep on your driest pair. Sandwich the socks between your sleeping bag and mattress. Your body heat will do the rest.
Our Kilimanjaro Clothing checklist
Bring all clothing with you, since most items are not available in East Africa
Hiking boots- 1 pairs of medium weight insulated mountain boots with a thick sole. Boots made from a combination of leather and breathable fabric work well at high altitudes. Double boots are not necessary and are often uncomfortable.
Trainers or sneakers– 1 pair for the walk in and around camp.
Thin socks-3 pairs for the lower-level trek.
Thick socks– 3-5 pairs mountain boots socks. Double insulated thick smart woollen socks are best for the upper levels
Gaiters-1 knee-length pair to keep pieces of scree and snow out of the boots on higher levels.
Shorts-1 pair for hiking on lower levels.
Long underwear-2 pairs of light polypropylene top and bottom for wearing next to the skin polypropylene top and bottom. (1 pair for sleeping and 1 pair for high altitude) 1 pair of medium weight
Fibre pile pants-1 pair to wear over other layers.
Light shirts– 2 shirts or T-shirts. Shirts with a collar turned up protect the neck from the sun.
Thick shirt-1 shirt of Polartec Fabric (trade mark) or similar material.
Fibre pile jacket– To wear over other layers.
Rain and wind parka– This must be large enough to easily fit over all other layers.
Wind pants– There could be high winds at altitude. A full-length zip will save time in cold conditions.
Thin balaclava– For extra head and face protection.
Fibre pile hat-Must have a check and car protection and neck protection if possible
Light hat-There are so many styles for sun protection.
Gloves or mittens– Fibre pile or other insulated material. It is often not necessary to have an outer shell unless you normally suffer from cold hands.
Scarf or neck warmer– Insulating the back of the neck particularly during the night ascent of Kibo is very important.
Sleeping bag– Must be for sub-zero temperatures.
Daypack- A well-designed bag large enough to carry some spare clothing, water container and camera. No more than 50cm high (20 inches). Take care that the straps are adjusted not to restrict your chest in breathing and not to squeeze your stomach.
Soft duffle bag– Medium size to be carried by porters. No more than 80-85cm long (30-34 inches).
Head lamp-. Hand held flash lamp– With spare batteries and bulbs. A lithium headlamp lasts longer
Camera care
We Legacy Exchange Outfitters know that reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is a once-in-a-lifetime experience — one you’ll want to capture and remember forever. Most climbers bring some form of camera to document their journey, whether it’s a digital camera, point-and-shoot, smartphone, or DSLR.
Battery failure
The one thing that all cameras have in common is that they use batteries and, the common enemy of batteries is the cold. More than likely, your camera will not work on the summit. Point and shoot cameras are particularly prone to battery failure. Prevent battery failure using these three measures. (This also applies to headlamps and hand-held flash light batteries.)
- Take the batteries out of the camera if they are not too small and keep them in a pocket close to your body. Trouble here is that you must place them back correctly and if you have bad conditions on the summit, it may prove impossible.
- A better idea is to keep the camera in an insulated bag or pouch inside your clothing and close to your body.
- You may have to place a larger camera in your daypack. Wrap it in insulating material and place it against your back. However, it could still fail. Always have spare batteries in your pocket.
Kilimanjaro Dos and Donts
Do-Check out your new camera gear at home before your African safari. Run a film through and have it developed. Checking out a digital camera is far simpler. Become familiar with your equipment.
Do-Use a photographic fine-haired brush or lens tissue to clean the front lens. Breathe on the surface before wiping. 1am not a great advocate of constantly cleaning lens.
Do-Use the tissue lightly—you are not polishing the family silver.
Do-Clean the lens before or after you get off the mountain rather than opening the camera on the mountain. It is more important to keep the rear lens clean than the front lens. However, only clean the lens if there are huge greasy fingerprints all over it-even then, you have to be really careful!
Do-Keep your camera with you at all times when you are not using it, either round your neck or in your pack.
Don’t Place your camera on the ground. The wet or damp grass, dust and direct hot sun on the camera body will not improve your photography. It could ruin your film and result in expensive camera repairs and worst of all, no visual memories to reflect on at home.