What To Bring

 
 

Our guides have put together the following list to help us pack well for this epic adventure.

Dufffel Bag

Even if your bag is waterproof, section off your clothes into smaller Ziploc plastic bags. This will keep them dry even if water soaks into the bag. Pop spare Ziploc bags in as well for dirty clothes.

Some pointers when choosing your duffel bag:

  • Make sure the seams and zippers are strong.

  • Look for a little loop at one end, through which you can install a little padlock (and lock it onto the end of your zipper). .

Daypack

A 25 - 35 litre rucksack tends to fit most people’s needs. A daypack needs to be big enough to hold important stuff like a camera, waterproofs, warm clothing, gloves, wet wipes and a few snacks/energy bars.  Keep it as light as possible.  Some pointers when choosing your rucksack:

  • Rain cover – very important to protect your bag from dust and rain

  • Mesh pockets on the padded hip belt – allow easy access to sunblock, lip-ice, snacks and medicine.

  • Compression straps to reduce weight stress on your backpack.

  • Side mesh pockets – ideal for storing extra water flasks.

  • Airflow backing systems aids in heat dispersal and added ventilation, keeping you back warm and dry – useful on day 1 and 2.

Footwear

Boots are probably the most important item you will purchase. Your feet will get you to the summit …and back, hopefully without blisters, lost toenails, twisted ankles or an aching back. I can’t stress enough how important a good quality pair of boots is to your health and well-being.. When looking to purchase boots, it is very wise to try them on late in the day since your feet swell, just as they will when you hike. Put your foot in the boot without tying the shoelace and slide your foot forward until it hits the front of the boot. If you have one finger’s thickness of space at your heel, the boot fits properly. If you have more room, the boot is too big, less room and the boot is too small. Again, it is very important to find a good store with experienced help that can assist you in fitting your boots properly. Ideally you need to wear a thin liner sock and then your thicker outer sock. Also important to keep your toenails short for the climb.  Blisters should be treated immediately.  Remove the boot and cover the blister with zinc oxide tape or similar.

Socks

For boots to do their job well, the right socks are necessary. The material and construction of your socks are very important considerations.  Please speak to your outdoor gear shop to ensure you purchase the right type of socks – a warm outer sock with a thin base layer sock is the best.

Construction is nearly as important as the material used in socks. Features to look for are:

  • Flat seams, especially above the toe. Bulky seams can create areas of sensitivity where blisters are likely to form.

  • Snug, not tight, fit. Socks with good elasticity that hugs your foot comfortably, preventing the material from bunching up.

  • Thick socks that provide cushion for the ball and heel of your foot.

Knees take a lot of impact on the descent.  Elastic bandage or elastic knee supports may be good to have on hand.

Gaiters / Anklets

Gaiters are pieces of waterproof material that extend up from your hiking boots to keep most things out of your boots. They are not essential but they do make a difference.

Clothing Layering

It is vital to understand the principal of layering. Polartec/fleece is best worn directly on the skin and should comfortably hug the body without restricting circulation but not loose. It should be obvious why. The fabric has a better performance this way absorbing excess body moisture. If one wears a cotton shirt over the first layer, then the process cannot continue effectively. It requires that the moisture pass from one layer to the other. Cotton is hydrophilic, so the process stops at that point. The best advice we can give is to wear two layers of Polartec, or in extreme conditions, three layers. One on top of the other, this is the way Polartec has been designed. The Next to Skin layer rapidly wicks moisture away from the body, while the durable outer layers spreads moisture for maximum evaporation. Polartec is the most advanced double-sided pile fabric available; combing warmth, light weight and maximum breath-ability. Warm air gets trapped in tiny air pockets, creating an insulating zone for superior warmth.

OUTER Shell (Waterproof Layer)

Jacket and Trousers

Your outer layer needs to be waterproof and breathable. Since there are no standards for measuring waterproofness and breathability, it is very important to find a good store with experienced help that can assist you in finding the best option available.


It’s very important that your jacket and trousers needs to be waterproof. Without anything to keep water from your other clothes they will stop keeping you warm and soon the extra weight will sap your energy. To stay dry is to stay safe from hypothermia and help you to have an enjoyable day. This is probably one of the most important items you will need.

The most important specifications are,

  • Must be waterproof

  • Must be breathable (e.g. keep the water out as well as letting the sweat out)

  • Must be windproof

  • Jacket must have a hood to keep water off your head

MIDDLE Layer (Insulation)

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to keep your body at the correct temperature.

Polartec/polarfleece Classic 100, Classic 200, and Classic 300 fabrics are the reference standard for lightweight warmth and breath-ability. The 100% polyester velour construction creates air pockets that trap air and retain body heat.

Polartec Classic 100 fabrics are the lightest weight and are excellent for a warm first layer.

Halfway in between is Polartec Classic 200 fabrics, providing outstanding warmth and versatility Polartec Classic 300 fabrics are the heaviest and provide a warm thermal layer for very cold outdoor activities.

BASE Layer (Next to Skin)

The most important layer in any layering system is the one that actually touches you. Polartec/thermal fabrics are designed to pull sweat away from your body and keep you feeling comfortable and dry in any condition.

Thermal Balaclava/Beanie/neck warmer

Very important to protect against heat loss through the head. A good beanie is great for sleeping in as well.

Sun Hat/Bandana neck scarf

Be sure your hat is a soft light weight type so that it fits easily in your backpack.  The brim of the hat should be deep enough to give good shade to your face. Be sure that the hat "breathes" so that your head doesn't get sopping wet from sweat.

Gloves

Your body loses a large proportion of its internal heat from the head and hands. We recommend a thin pair of silk or liner  type gloves as a next to skin layer. A gortex outer layer is vital, and depending if your hands really feel the cold you could still wear another fleece layer between these two layers.

Trekking poles

Using trekking poles can reduce the weight load by up to 20%. This means that if you already have weak knees and wish to protect them over the long term, having moderate support on the descents can save the knees and help prevent severe muscle soreness in the quadriceps. Using two poles provides even more support.

They also give you added traction and stability in the muddy conditions lower down on the mountain as well as amongst the scree slopes higher up.

Sleeping bag and liner

There are basically two types of insulation used as fill in sleeping bags. Goose and duck down is the most comfortable and lightest fill and synthetic materials. Night temperatures can easily drop below –15 degrees Celsius, so choose a sleeping bag with rating of at least –15 degrees Celsius.

We also recommend using a liner. This will not only protect your sleeping bag against dirt etc, but serve as an additional insulator, making your sleeping bag warmer.

  • A sleeping bag that fits your body, both in its width and length. A mummy-shaped bag is the best choice for hiking. The reason for this is because a mummy is made to fit the contours of your body without a lot of wasted weight. Not only does it help reduce the weight of the sleeping bag, it also makes the bag more efficient for your body to heat, minimizing the cold spots.

  • A two-way zipper with a draft tube to prevent cold air from coming through the zipper. This allows unzipping from either end to provide better ventilation.

  • An insulated hood that is shaped and can be pulled around your head with a draw cord, preventing heat loss through your head. It is also very helpful to have a draft collar at the base of the hood so you can tighten the bag around your shoulders without having to tighten the hood.

Water bottles

Hydration is vital to successful acclimatisation.  Ideally you need to carry 2 – 3 litres of water at any time. A hydration type system with a tube from a bladder in your pack to your mouth is most suitable, in that it enables you to drink regularly. A Nalgene bottle (not mouth piece) works wonderfully as a hot water bottle!!! Also bring an insulated/thermos type bottle for high up to stop the water freezing.