Mount Kenya Packing List
Your Mount Kenya packing list contains suggested clothing and other items to bring along on your adventure.
All mountain treks have a wide range of temperatures so the best clothing is a lot of thin layers. Such clothing is easier to adjust as the temperature fluctuates and is also more effective insulation than a few thick items of clothing.
Clothing, sleeping and carrying equipment
- Climbing gear – Harness, climbing boots, crampons, ice axe, warm sleeping bag, bivy bag (and light tent if climbing the North Face). These are for the summit attempts for Nelion and Batian.
- 50 litre day pack to carry on your ascent
- Duffle bag or soft kitbag for porters to carry on the mountain (not suitcases) with lock
- Waterproof bags of various sizes to protect equipment you want to ensure is dry (Do not use plastic. They are not permitted in Kenya).
- Adjustable walking sticks
- You need a minimum of 3 warm layers for the upper body for evenings and for summit day ascents. Many combinations of warm layers are possible with recent developments in outdoor clothing but we strongly recommend a good quality down jacket.
- Fleece jacket
- Warm gloves and a thin pair
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Warm hat or balaclava
- Bandana or cap
- Breathable windproof and waterproof jacket
- Rain trousers
- Walking boots that are worn-in and have proven quality (leather strongly recommended)
- Thick socks and maybe also thin socks or sock liners to wear under the thick socks (this often helps to prevent blisters).
- Gaiters can be very helpful in wet conditions and to stop scree from getting inside your boots.
- T-shirts, preferably synthetic as cotton dries poorly and does not provide very good insulation.
- Underwear
- Trousers (loose and comfortable). One pair should be thick and warm.
- Thermal underwear is recommended for both upper and lower body if you feel the cold.
Personal Usage
- 2 x 1 litre water bottle or equivalent
- Towel and toiletries.
- Favourite snacks. These are especially good for summit days.
- Head torch. Practical in camp and very necessary on the summit day. Remember to bring lots of batteries and to allow for evening reading.
- Camera and film or batteries
- Pocket knife (always handy to have!).
- Reading material and games/cards/MP3.
Personal medical kit
We recommend that your packing list includes a personal medical kit for the most basic needs.
- Aspirin for headaches and mild pains. Aspirin is particularly good on the mountains because it also thins the blood, which helps acclimatization at altitude.
- Water purification tablets or system
- Blister kits or bandages
- Imodium for severe diarrhea
- Malaria tablets. Malaria is not a problem on high mountains but all mountain trips begin and end in malarial areas.
Other useful information:
High Altitude Climbing and Altitude Sickness
Contact us with any questions about what to pack for Mt Kenya.