What clothing should I take?
In equatorial latitudes days will be generally warm, sometimes cloudy with occasional rain, and evenings can be cool enough to need a jumper. The climate is quite consistent on the equator with the year being split into rainy season and dry season rather than our definition of seasons. Long rains are generally March, April time and the short rains are generally October. However global climate change has meant that these 'seasons' cannot be relied upon; droughts are common, as are flash floods, and the glaciers of Kilimanjaro are in retreat.
On the mountain you need to be prepared for cold conditions at night especially and very changeable conditions during the days. The lower slopes can be warm and even muggy, but we can experience heavy rain in the forests and on the Shira Plateau.
Further along on the Barranco route there may be rain and even hail, or just as likely sunshine. Prepare your daysack with a variety of clothing to cope with all eventualities.
Final camp at Barafu is cold - Barafu means 'ice' - and quite often windy. In good conditions the camp is fine and comfortable on others it is cold and windy.
On summit day you may encounter some snow on the ground but this will be temporary and may be accompanied by some rain and/or hail. Starting at midnight will mean initially cold, and the coldest time of the whole trip will be between 5 and 7 am close to Stella Point. Going slowly with lots of breaks means the body will find it hard to generate heat, and you can expect an ambient air temperature of minus 1 or 2. Warm clothing is a must, along with good hats and gloves and a headtorch. The summit itself can be windy and you may find interesting ice scultptures on the ground called penitentes (larger ones are seen on Aconcagua in South America). It can get very hot and sunny and you will need to bring good skin protection and sunglasses. Sometimes it is very cold up there and your time will be just a few minutes, other times it can be up to forty minutes taking snaps and calling home (your mobile phone will work with roaming access).
The descent is obviously quicker and by that time of day (around 11am to midday) it will be hotter. It is also very dusty and tiring on the knees so expect things to be exhausting and frustrating on the loose scree. Back at Barafu and onward to Millennium everything will get more comfortable and you will feel the thicker, warmer air and of course the greenery. The next day to the Gate is very pleasant, a lovely walk through the forest with beautiful flora.
Travel Clothes - Loose fitting and comfortable for the flight. You will be able to store these clothes in Moshi at the hotel. You can wear your boots on the flight to save weight and also in the event of your bag being lost enroute.
Bags - One duffle bag of about 65 litres for your main gear which is carried by a porter, plus a day pack of around 20 litres for carrying during the day. Also bring a light bag for storing clothes in at the hotel while you are on the mountain.
Suggested Clothing: Please note this list is not an exhaustive list. You should speak to your expedition leader before embarking upon any expedition about clothing.
Layering is a systematic, logical approach to wearing multiple layers of clothing. The advantages of layering are that it is versatile (a climber can add or remove layers to adapt to changing weather, activity level and body temperature), thermally efficient (multiple thinner layers are warmer than an equal thickness single layer), and space efficient (takes up less space in your backpack).You should follow the layering principle when you suit up for Kilimanjaro. Technical clothing can be categorized into the following types of layers: base layer, mid layer, and outer shell.
A base layer is moisture-wicking item that is worn against the skin. By moving sweat away from your body, the base layer should keep you dry and provide some insulation. They are available in different thicknesses, although light-weight is recommended for its versatility over medium-, heavy-, and expedition-weight clothing. Base layers can be worn alone in warm weather, and can be doubled-up (worn on top of one another) during cold weather. Several types of fabric or blends of fabric are used to construct base layers, including silk, wool, and polypropylene, which are usually sold under registered trademarks by outdoor gear companies. Cotton is not a good base layer material! It does not have any moisture-wicking properties, does not dry quickly, and will actually increase your heat loss when wet.
2 - Long Sleeve Shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric
1 - Short Sleeve Shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric
1 - Long Underwear (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
3 - Underwear, briefs (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
1 - Bandana (optional)
1 - Balaclava
3 - Sock liners, tight, thin, synthetic, worn underneath to prevent blisters
1 - Gloves, light, thin, synthetic, worn underneath for added warmth (optional)
1 - Arm Warmers, synthetic (optional)
The outer layer is designed to provide protection from the wind, rain and snow. Some outer layers have built in insulation, but I recommend obtaining each layer separately for greater versatility.
Technical Clothing
1 - Waterproof Jacket, breathable with hood
1 - Insulated Jacket, synthetic or down
1 - Soft Jacket, fleece or soft-shell
2 - Long Sleeve Shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric
1 - Short Sleeve Shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric
1 - Waterproof Pants, breathable (side-zipper recommended)
2 - Hiking Pants (convertible to shorts recommended)
1 - Fleece Pants
1 - Shorts (optional)
1 - Long Underwear (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
3 - Underwear, briefs (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
2 - Sport Bra (women)
Equipment
1 - Sleeping Bag, warm, four seasons
1 - Sleeping Bag Liner, for added warmth (optional)
1 - Sleeping Pad, self-inflating or closed-cell foam
1 - Trekking Poles (highly recommended)
1 - Head lamp, with extra batteries
1 - Duffel bag, for porters to carry your equipment
1 - Daypack, for you to carry your personal gear
Accessories
1 - Sunglasses or Goggles
1 - Backpack Cover, waterproof (optional)
1 - Poncho, during rainy season (optional)
1 - Water Bottle (Nalgene, 32 oz. recommended)
1 - Water Bladder, Camelbak type (optional)
1 - Towel, lightweight, quick-dry (optional)
1 - Pee Bottle, to avoid leaving tent at night (highly recommended)
Footwear
1 - Hiking Boots, warm, waterproof, broken-in, with spare laces
1 - Gym Shoes, to wear at camp (optional)
3 - Socks, thick, wool or synthetic
3 - Sock Liners, tight, thin, synthetic, worn under socks to prevent blisters (optional)
1 - Gaiters, waterproof (optional)
Stuff Sacks or Plastic Bags, various sizes, to keep gear dry and separate