| Okay, you made that decision to climb the highest | | | | medium and heavy which you will switch to as |
| mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania; | | | | you ascend and the temperature drops. Same |
| now what? Why, you have to know what to | | | | with socks, and they should get thicker, warmer |
| bring. This isn't a pair of trunks and a tee shirt for | | | | the higher you go. |
| the beach. Mount Kilimanjaro peaks at 19340', | | | | A good pair of snow pants/rain pants with |
| rising 14000' out of the 5000' altitude Great Rift | | | | articulated knees for the actually climbing is much |
| Valley in Eastern Africa. It is actually a 41 mile | | | | more comfortable that maybe the GORE-TEX |
| wide volcanic mountain with three volcanic cones: | | | | running pants you have. |
| Shira, Mawenzie and the highest, Kibo. Uhuru peak | | | | A good hooded wind/rain jacket with lots of |
| on Kibo is the highest pint in Africa, and when you | | | | pockets is helpful. Snacks, extra gloves and water |
| summit clad in all the gear you brought with, there | | | | can be stored there. Zippered vents are a must |
| is an iconic sign welcoming you and a book to sign | | | | as you work your way up and the sun comes |
| to prove you were there. | | | | out, you don't want to be sweating when the |
| Although you are about 200 miles south of the | | | | clouds return and the temperature drops 20-25 |
| equator the temperature is never hot as the | | | | degrees. |
| altitude and prevailing winds keep it cool to | | | | A neck Gator to keep the cold wind off is a |
| downright frigid on the summit. The winds bring | | | | great idea, as are "rock gators" to keep some of |
| moisture form the Indian Ocean and soak the | | | | the ten million rocks you will encounter out of |
| Eastern flank of the mountain creating tropical | | | | your boots. Few things worse than taking your |
| temperate rainforest that averages 100 inches of | | | | boot off in 20 degrees in a snowfield to get a |
| rain a year. Elephants and lions can both be found | | | | rock out. |
| at this altitude and higher. Clothing here would be | | | | Gloves! A must have for every adventure |
| shorts and light shirts, a hat and a rain parka in | | | | traveler. Polypro glove liners and water proof |
| your daypack. What makes packing for | | | | outers usually do the trick. Your day pack should |
| Kilimanjaro so difficult is that you will be passing | | | | have enough room to carry clothing for a sudden |
| through four climate zones with specific clothing | | | | weather change, such as rain or bitter cold |
| requirements for each. | | | | sweeping down from the summit. You should be |
| After trekking through muddy animal trails in the | | | | able to store 2-3 liters of water either in a |
| forest you begin to ascend into a | | | | camelback or in bottles; most guides recommend |
| temperate-looking scrub forest not unlike what | | | | fours liters a day to stave off dehydration due to |
| you might see in a 100 year old clear cut forest in | | | | high altitude induced dry air and the difficult |
| the Ozarks of Southern Missouri. As you get to | | | | walking conditions. |
| 10,000' the clouds begin to impair your vision and | | | | Ah yes, the balaclava, usually a polypro hooded |
| the temperature drops. Here you need the rain | | | | mask to protect face, ears and nose from bitter |
| gear and stocking cap. The next climate zone is | | | | cold and wind chill. It also helps heat the air you |
| subarctic as you pass the tree line and the temp | | | | are breathing. On top of that goes the hat. Old |
| drops below freezing at night but is in the 30's to | | | | mountain climber's saying," When your feet get |
| 40's during the day; finally as you pass 16,000' | | | | cold put your hat on!" Fifty percent of your body |
| mark it becomes an arctic zone with temps in the | | | | heat can escape out of your scalp and head. |
| teens, no vegetation and blowing ice crystals and | | | | Hey, you're looking pretty good now, but what do |
| snow making visibility difficult. | | | | you need to look great! Sunglasses! Good |
| The gear to be properly out fitted is designed to | | | | polarized sunglasses are a must at this altitude or |
| cover the wide range of weather conditions you | | | | you cold burn your retinas and suffer partial |
| world encounter on your trek. If you are serious | | | | blindness. Not a good thing to have trying to get |
| about going, first get those boots. Make sure they | | | | to the top o a mountain. |
| are comfortable (sort of obvious), look for a | | | | Where do you go to get "the stuff"? The internet |
| GORE-TEX (or similar) lining. You can waterproof | | | | is great place if you already know sizes. A huge |
| snow proof the outer portions with beeswax | | | | array of clothing and gear can be found at |
| preparation commercially available to anyone. Walk | | | | outdoor travel sights. But if you want to go to a |
| around in them, like a couple of hundred miles, and | | | | brick and mortar store then you have those |
| break them in. | | | | available to you. Read reviews of the clothing and |
| Next you need to begin buy clothing to layer | | | | deal with reputable retailers. You do not want |
| against the elements. Usually polypropylene (or silk | | | | things falling apart at 18,000 in altitude and 10,000 |
| if you can afford it) next to the skin to wick the | | | | miles from home. |
| sweat off, then cotton, then a wind/moisture | | | | It is all about planning. Plan carefully and you will |
| barrier such as GORE-TEX or its equivalent. | | | | enjoy the risky adventure you are taking. |
| You will have maybe three types of polypro, light | | | | |