So Fresh and So Clean

Take a bath, ya hippie! ~Up!

Packing toiletries for hiking Mount Kilimanjaro might have been just as hard as climbing Kili itself. While my tour operator sent me a basic packing list of equipment and clothes, the only toiletries on that list were sunscreen and lip balm. Because a good list is so hard to come across, I want to share what I packed with you because us girls have to stick together when it comes to looking good!

What was the very first thing in my cute Vera Bradley toiletry kit, you ask? A tooth brush and tooth paste, of course. That should be the first thing you pack any time you go on any trip! Other necessities that followed closely after were my brush and hair ties to tame what would become my crazy mane, my favorite Olay Regenerist SPF 15 face lotion, and one of my essentials, Burts Bees Pomegranate Oil Lip Balm. Sun safety is incredibly important so don’t forget you SPF of at least 50!

Now, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it’s pretty important that you know this: there are no restrooms on Mount Kilimanjaro. The only form of bathroom you will find are rickety wooden outhouses (the fact that these smell so bad you would rather go in the woods is another story for another post). 

No restrooms on Kilimanjaro means two things for you: no toilets and no showers. First, because you will be using out houses or the woods, you absolutely must bring your own roll of toilet paper. Trust me, if you forget anything do not let it be the TP. 

The other implication of no bathrooms on Kili is that there are no showers. Yes, you will not shower for a week. Yes, you will probably smell by the end. Yes, you will agree to never discuss your dirty state with anyone after leaving that mountain.

I wouldn’t have looked half as decent without my Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes which kept my face fresh and oil free. If you’re the type of girl that works up a sweat when doing physical activity, Neutrogena Deep Clean Sport On-the-Go Cleansing Wipes would be perfect for you. In addition to working well, both of these wipes come in a re-sealable, plastic package so they don’t dry out and can be easily packed. 

To keep your body clean and to fight off funky smells, Wet Ones wipes are essential. Because they’re made for children, these antibacterial wipes come in both regular and sensitive formula in case you have sensitive skin. Wet Ones will keep your skin clean without drying you out or making you smell like rubbing alcohol.

Dry shampoo like TREsemme Fresh Start is a necessity to keeping your hair clean. Dry shampoo is a powder that absorbs oil and neutralizes odors to keep your hair looking and, more importantly, feeling fresh. Dry shampoo will keep your tresses looking beautiful so that when you look back at pictures on Kili you look like a movie star.

To keep yourself smelling so fresh and so clean, D.O. for the B.O. is a must! Secret Clinical Strength Sport deodorant kept my sweating to a minimum during a highly athletic activity. Do yourself and your trekking group a favor by applying this at least once a day while on Kili.

All of these products will keep you looking beautiful while you conquer the world’s fourth tallest mountain.

My Vera Bradley Toiletry Case

Favorite Olay Regenerist SPF 15 face lotion

The essential Burts Bees Pomegranate Oil Lip Balm-I'm addicted!

Neutrogena Cleansing Face Towelettes to keep your skin clean and glowing

Wet Ones Antibacterial Wipes To Go

Give love to your locks with TREsemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo

Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant will keep you smelling like roses while you rough it!

Backpack, Backpack!

Why buy good luggage? You only use it when you travel. ~Yogi Berra

 

Here’s a riddle: What weights several pounds when empty, feels like a million pounds when full, has many compartments filled with valuable items, and is a necessity for hiking Kili? Your backpack! 

When trekking Kilimanjaro you will actually have two backpacks: one day pack that you carry filled with only necessities, and a backpacking pack filled with your supplies for the week to be carried by a porter. In future posts I will be sure to cover what items go in which pack.

I was fortunate that I didn’t have to shop for either of these items because my family already owned them. Because my brother is an Eagle Scout and my dad was incredibly involved with the scouts, they had many of the items I needed including both types of backpacks. Thank goodness a scout is always prepared!

For my day pack, I carried a blue, large-size Camelbak backpack. Though the Camelbak had a water pouch, I never used it on the trip because I didn’t know if there was an adequate way to clean it while also having to use purification tablets. I simply stuck to filling and refilling my pink Camelbak water bottle. Large Camelbak Backpacks for outdoors range from $65 to $125, so they can be pretty expensive. If you’re okay with using a water bottle as your hydration source, I would recommend just buying the Camelbak reusable water bottle and purchasing a general outdoors/daily backpack.

Because I didn’t use the water pouch inside the backpack, I probably could have used my trusty Northface Recon backpack that I use every day when going to class. The Northface Recon backpack is pricey at $90, however it’s great for daily use when going to class or work and it definitely is made to last. This backpack has survived almost four years of college with me! Other Northface backpacks are priced as low as $55 and come in some adorable colors as well.

Whatever backpack you decide to use as your day pack, make sure it has cushioned straps and cushion on the back. You are going to be carrying this for many hours each day every day for a week, therefore it's super important that it feels comfortable. 

For my hiking backpack, I used a Kelty external frame pack. Because a porter will be carrying this pack, almost all tour operators require you to use a backpacking pack or a frame backpack and absolutely no hard case luggage. 

One backpack accessory you can’t do without is a backpack rain cover. While $35 seems like a lot to spend just in case it rains, you will thank yourself for spending that money when your clothing and supplies aren’t sopping wet.

If you’re not an avid hiker and don’t necessarily want to spend the money on new backpacks, ask around to family, friends, and coworkers to see if you can borrow them from anyone. I’m sure they will trade you some delicious home-baked sweets for a week and a half of backpack use-this way everyone wins!

Side view of the day backpack I used for Kili-note the cute "A" luggage tag!

Back view of my day pack-lots of cushion is key.

My everyday backpack that would have also been great for Kili! Love this!

Must Have Equipment

Travel is glamorous only in retrospect. ~Paul Theroux

Now that you’re physically, medically, and mentally ready for you Kilimanjaro hike, it’s time to get prepared in terms of your equipment. Some tour operators for Kilimanjaro treks will have the equipment necessary available to rent. Sometimes your guide will secure equipment if you let them know in advance what items you’d like to rent. Like me, I’m sure you want pack as light as possible and not be bogged down with a ton of gear. Take advantage of renting equipment from your tour operator or guide so you don’t end up paying hundreds of dollars in checked baggage fees from your airlines. 

Wondering what types of equipment you should rent from a tour operator? Bulky items such as tents and portable dining table and chairs should be included in the cost of your trek paid to the tour operator, so no need to worry about renting these items.

Although I brought my own sleeping bag (more on which type next post!), I would absolutely rent a sleeping pad from your tour operator. Trust me, if you’re taking a route where tent camping is the accommodation, the deeper sleep you will have and the back pain you will save yourself will make you really thankful for renting a sleeping pad! 

One item I didn’t give much thought to renting until I got to the base of Kilimanjaro was gaiters. Gaiters are protective covers that zip on over the bottom of your pant legs and the tops of your shoes. Why are gaiters a good idea, you ask? They’re important because first day of your hike you will be trekking through the rainforest portion of Kilimanjaro. Mud in your boots is the last thing you want, especially not on the first day of your hike. Gaiters will help keep the mud out of your boots and keep your pant legs clean.

One item that is absolutely necessary for trekking Kilimanjaro is a walking pole. Are you an experienced hiker? If so, then you might already have a walking pole or you might want to invest in purchasing one. Is this your first big hiking trip? If yes, renting a walking pole is probably a better option for you. A walking pole will help give you support on trek, especially coming down the mountain which a lot of people under estimate. Your knees will be thanking you if you carry a walking pole for support!

Read tomorrow’s post to learn what other gear is necessary for your hike!

My sleeping pad was a simple foam one like this. If you're a frequent camper, maybe splurge on an inflatable one!

Gaiters like this keep your shoes and pants clean and dry.

Walking poles like these will save your joints and knees a lot of pain and stress!

It's Just Emotion Taking Me Over

"Traveling tends to magnify all human emotions." ~Peter Hoeg

Now that I was finally financially informed, getting into shape physically, medically prepared, and had picked a route and time of year to hike Kilimanjaro, I figured that all I had left to do is pack my bag and get on the plane. While this assumption wasn’t too far off, I was definitely missed one key step.

If you’re wondering what step I missed so that you don’t miss it, you’re in luck. As the point of this blog is to get you as prepared as possible for your Kilimanjaro adventure, I want to give you as much relevant information about my experience as I can. If I had a re-do for this trip, the one step I wouldn’t miss the second time around is preparing myself mentally and emotionally.

Most sources about trekking Kilimanjaro forget to tell you that while physically preparing is incredibly important, mentally preparing yourself is just as essential. 

On my hike, I experienced periods of intense emotional highs and lows unlike any other time in my life. During hours long treks that seemed unending, my mind reeled with boredom and lacked the motivational thoughts I needed to keep going. When I wasn’t sure I was going to reach the summit due to onset hypothermia (more on that in future posts!), I felt devastated and depressed unlike ever before. Upon reaching Uhuru Peak I was so elated, ecstatic, euphoric; it was the highest high, my proudest moment.

To an extent, the only thing that can truly prepare you for the emotional roller coaster you will ride is actually hiking Kilimanjaro. However, there are a few things you can do to ready your mind. Be excited. Be pumped up. Be thrilled for the adventure of a lifetime you’re about to have. Be wary of the journey ahead of you too. Be mindful of the challenges you will endure. Be aware that your journey will not be easy nor without obstacles. 

Expect to be frustrated. Expect to be frustrated with boredom. Expect to be frustrated by the people you are trekking with. Expect to be frustrated with your physical limitations as the human body can only be pushed so hard. Expect to laugh. Expect to laugh at your shortcomings. Expect to laugh when you falter. Expect to laugh with you new trekking friends over silly jokes and stories. Expect to laugh at Uhuru Peak while popping celebratory champagne and snapping photos of the most authentic smiles you’ve ever seen. Expect to laugh when all is said and done and there is nothing to do but laugh. Expect to cry. Expect to cry from disappointment. Expect to cry from pure bliss. Expect to cry because you’re overwhelmed with emotion. Expect to cry when the adventure is over and you step onto the plane to leave. 

More than anything, expect to feel more proud of yourself than you have ever felt in your whole life. Expect a sense of internal fulfillment and happiness that no one can ever take away from you. Expect all of these emotions and more, and you will be well on your way to being totally prepared for your Kilimanjaro adventure!