Things I learned on Kilimanjaro

Summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro is a long term dream, a bucket list item, and/or a fun thing to do for many. When I first decided that I was really going to do it, I did a lot of web searching and reading and was very frustrated with the results. I am writing this in hopes that I might help others have an easier time while they are preparing. Follow the links below to directly go to the services and products mentioned (I have no financial incentive for any of this stuff). Here is what I learned in the process (of note I went in January 2016):

Before you go: 

Reading
Print: 

Kilimanjaro - The Trekking Guide to Africa's Highest Mountain: (Includes Mt Meru And Guides To Nairobi, Dar Es Salaam, Arusha, Moshi And Marangu) (Trailblazer Trekking Guides) by Henry Stedman.  (Click on the link and it will be yours). It was a great read in preparation and a great read to have on the trip. When you are trekking it goes day by day and could not be more right on. It is an excellent guide to the flora and fauna of the region as well. We made the decision not to read the summit day until after we had made to to the top. This was a great call by my companion and would suggest you think about doing the same. I ended up giving it to our head guide because he thought it was so good. 

Internet: 

The travel darling

Medical: 

The latest recommendations and Vaccinations can be found on the CDC website 

In speaking with Infectious disease physicians and doing my own research I believe right now you should have the following: 

• routine vaccinations (if you don't this is something to think about and a discussion that is outside of the bounds of this blog) 
• hepatitis A (this is a food borne illness and one you just don't want)
• typhoid

Malaria Prophylaxis is also recommended in Tanzania. I recommend that you also bring TUMs or anti-reflux medication just in case you have a reaction to the medication a week in (most of these medicines can affect your GI tract).  I learned that the hard way.

Packing: (see below for details) I traveled to Tanzania with a carry-on and a backpack. I left all extra things (not valuables) in a bag we bought at the market at our hotel. 

Money: In Tanzania you will likely need American dollars. There are several ATMs in Arusha where you can withdraw them. If you have a Charles Schwab Account you will not pay fees anywhere in the world. I researched this quite heavily and they what seems like the best deal. No fees. Easy to use App that allows bank to bank transfer. Their customer service people are also super friendly in the few times that I have had to speak to them. 

Upon Arrival: 

- Entry into Tanzania: 

-  If you can stand it, book your trek upon your arrival to Tanzania. At the very least book a Tanzanian company. If you use a US/Canadian/European booking company you will pay too much and it will not benefit the local economy. There are many booking companies. It will likely take you a day or two to set up, so if time is of the essence (every minute counts, you can afford the extra 1000 or so, and you can't spend a day in Arusha or Moshi, this option might not be for you). Do your homework regardless before you go. There are many groups that have lots of reviews. We used Impatiens Tours and could not have been happier (You can find them on facebook and instagram). They met with us the day before the trek and checked our gear. They day we began they took us to rent the extra gear that we needed. Throughout our trek we had a great time and felt safe. Enock was our main guide and was very knowledgable about everything to do with the mountain. He is also an amazing motivator and genuinely nice guy. Everyone on the team was great and the food was excellent (there was so much to eat). I can't imagine a better way to get up the mountain. All companies Impatiens included will take you up different routes in a range of days. Do this research before you arrive. We went up Machame. It was great and not too crowded.
Costs: the entrance to the park is paid at the park and is $700. You should find out if your trek fee includes that.


2. Bring your own rain gear. We all rented rain gear and found that although at some point it had likely been impermeable to the elements it was no longer. I ended up using the trusty rain jacket (Amazon's version) I got at a random sidewalk store years ago that is pretty much a plastic bag with buttons, pockets, and a hood.  Also ask your company if they have umbrellas for you. Impatiens Tours did. This was a game changer. In addition to that if you do not have gaiters you should rent them in the gear rental.

And you are off: What to expect on your trek up. 

3. Speak up about dietary needs: I also learned this the hard way. Most things were deep fried something I am not at all used to. I think that this contributed to my stomach pain and brief bout with Reflux. They will be fine if you want things only boiled and steamed. After I (my companion) finally spoke up I felt so much better.

4. BABY WIPES: I brought both face wipes and regular baby wipes. No one else in my party did. Needless to say everyone used mine. They will keep you smelling better and are great for certain bathroom experiences.

5. Pole Pole all the way: Your guides and most travelers who have trekked Kilimanjaro will tell you this. They mean it. It means "Slowly, Slowly". I will say it again: Walk slowly. It is not a race and you will feel way better at the end of every day just from the more gradual altitude change. In fact most guides and companies say the people who don't make it are usually the super fit young crowd because they rush.

6. Stay Hydrated. You will feel better especially as you continue to gain altitude. In fact you should stay hydrated no matter where you are this is in no way limited to Kili.

7. Save some stories for the summit night/morning. You will likely get up around midnight and spend 6 hours gaining 5000 feet to get to summit at sunrise. We sang and told stories all the way up the mountain and it made the tough parts much more enjoyable. Don't be shy about asking for water and snack breaks.

What to Pack for the Mountain:

Things I brought:

• Cheap plastic rain jacket
• Backpack that was carry on-sized. 
• two pairs of hiking pants
• 1 pair of shorts
• 1 pair of Technical tights
• 1 long-sleeve technical shirt
• 1 long sleeve pullover
• 2 short sleeve technical shirts
• 1 T-shirt
• 3 sports bras
• 6 pairs of underwear
• 6 pairs of socks varying weights (2 light, 3 medium, 1 heavy)
• Hiking boots (Lowa I love you!)
• flip flops
• Headlamp
• glove liners (thin gloves)
• Baseball hat (Go Tarheels)
• Camel back 
• Day pack
• Camera
• sunglasses
• Clothing divider packs (one for socks and underwear, one for shirts, one for pants)
• Blow up pillow
• towel
• wet wipes and toilet paper
• battery pack for camera and iphone 
• Iphone
• iPad (I definitely didn't need this but I didn't want to leave it at the hotel). 
• plastic bags (for wet clothes and to keep clothes and electronics from getting wet). 
• Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, deodorant, face lotion, sunscreen (necessary), bug spray, tweezers, bandaids, Lush body powder (we smelled good and put it on everything).  Hair rubber bands.
• Medications: antibiotics (cipro and keflex), Diamox (we all took this at base camp and kind of wish we had before), Malarone, (also these are prescriptions that you should get from your doctor), Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Tiger balm. 
• Snacks to share for summit day. 
• Nuun tablets for electrolytes
• Brands that I love: Lululemon, Lowa (boots), Petzl, the North Face, Camel Back, Lush (deodorant powder and dry shampoo), Smartwool (socks)

Things I brought I didn't need:
- T-shirt
-inflatable pillow
-I may have overdone it with the snacks to share. I brought gummy candy, chocolate, and energy bars (from the US because they do not have anything other than candy bars locally).
- Games to play at night. We just talked and sang and went to bed.

Things they provided: 
-tent
-sleeping bag
-pillow

Things I rented:
-Summit Coat, Pants, Gloves, and Hat
-Rain jacket and pants (should have just relied on my own, I let one of the guys on our team wear mine).
-Gaiters (I was glad about this)
-Walking sticks (good for the descent)
Rental cost: $35

Things I wish I had had:
-TUMS!
-chap stick
-extra batteries for headlamps.

Tip your team: The team that helps you up the mountain pretty much survives on tips.
Suggested Tip Breakdown: (From several sources including: easy travel, our hotel, and another company that posted theirs).
Head Guide $20/day x (how many days)
Assistant Guide $15/day x (how many days)
Cook: $10/day x (how many days).
Porters: at least $6/day up to $8/day for each porter (we had 8) x (how many days).
*we tipped our porters each $10 extra because they were great. They also have such a high injury rate from hauling all of the stuff.

Our total: $734.00 (this is another use for your US dollars)
Each of us ended up paying: $245

Smile and have fun!!! That after all is hopefully what it is all about :) I had an amazing time. It was much tougher than expected but an awesome experience that I would encourage anyone to do! 

*Another great blog about summiting Kilimanjaro can be read on The Travel Darling's site!
Do you have things you learned on Kilimanjaro? Or even questions about the trek and preparation? Please let me know.