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

Sanitation on Mount Kenya