It's all about kit

One of the more interesting things about preparing for the Kilimanjaro climb is the kit list. This can cost you thousands. It's a fairly simple list:

3-4 season sleeping bag (0 degrees to -10 )
Roll Mat ('Therm a rest' blow up type are best)
Water proof jacket (Gortex type)
Fleece type jacket (Wind Stopper)
Several mid layers (Polar tech)
Thermal top and leggings (first layer)
Gloves/ woollen hat/balaclava
Head lamp (Spare batteries for summit climb)
Boots or sturdy walking shoes
Sports Sandles or light shoes (Evening)
Trousers (One spare pair to change into)
Sun hat (with brim)
Sun glasses
Insulated water bottle or Platypus water bladder
Strong plastic bags for putting clothes sleeping bag in

Then you start adding up the cost. A decent 4 seasons sleeping bag is around £250 (~$400). The Thermarest self inflating mat is £75 (~$115), Fleeces can be £30 (~$45) each and so on. Kha Koon & I had already purchased the walking jacket (see a previous blog entry) and new walking boots.

So the debate raged. Exactly how much did we need to spend/should we spend. There are some contrasting arguments. On one hand, if it's going to make the difference between getting to the top or not, then it could be money well spent – after all we have 'invested' so much anyway. Conversely, most of the kit we are going to use only once! The boots and jacket will last for many years and be used often. As a self confessed Marriott junkie, I can't see the sleeping bag be used after the trip.

So the upshot is that we have become very good at seeking out bargains on eBay and from the outdoors shops. We have not 'just thrown money at the problem'.

Sleeping bags have been sourced from eBay. One is a "Royal Marines Commando Arctic Weather Sleeping System". Rated to -30degC, it's almost brand new and cost £50 (~$75) delivered. The other is an absolutely brand new "US Issue extreme cold weather sleeping bag" again rated to -30degC for just under £30 (~$45) delivered. The final aspect is the sleeping mats. Thermarest sleeping mats are expensive. Again, eBay to the rescue and two Karimor self inflating sleeping mats later at £20 (~$30) each we have sleeping mats. So with the two sleeping bags, a couple of Jagg Bag silk liners (again from eBay) and the sleeping mats we have our sleeping system sorted. The only question I have is ‘why are military issue "arctic weather sleeping systems" olive green in colour and not white’?

The day sacks (rucksacks) have also come from eBay. Kha Koon got a newly new Berghaus Freeflow 30 Ltr rucksack at a reasonable discount and I picked up a men's version (35 ltr + 8 ltr) for a real steal. So eBay has been our friend on the kit front. These Freeflow rucksacks which provide a frame to keep and air gap between your back and the rack sack itself are great. I'm a fan.

So we are kitting up and, as the big day approaches, we need to start checking what we have and haven't got and start seeking some more bargains. One of the things that the training walks has definitely taught us is the need for a seating mat. The alternative is a wet derriere.

So the kit is complicated enough. We then have to consider the medical equipment. A fairly lengthy list:

Diamox (for altitude sickness can be purchased here in Arusha)
Headache tablets
Diarrhoea tablet
Rehydration salts
Small box of glucose
Stretch bandages
Deep heat or similar for sprains and muscle aches
Band aids /plasters/compeed for blisters
Water purification tablets or iodine (water is boiled on the mountain)
30 + Sun cream and lip protection.
Moisturizing cream or gel (Sun and Wind can be extreme at altitude)
Malaria tablets/ prophylaxis (Consult doctor as to side effects)

So, it's quite a logistics exercise.

I think the interesting thing is that there isn't necessarily any agreement in the team as to what is the best route to follow with kit. We are all sourcing our own and it will be interesting to see how kit decisions affect the overall experience and which bits of kit perform and which bits don't.

I'm convinced that a key aspect is having a reasonable night's sleep. This means a good sleeping bag, decent pillow and eye shades. I'm hoping I'll be OK - afterall if I can sleep in the economy seat of a trans Atlantic flight surely I can sleep anywhere?