December to mid-March and late June to October are considered the best months to hike Kilimanjaro, as it’s typically less rainy — but that does not guarantee a zero per cent chance of precipitation. My trek up the mountain with Exodus Adventure Travels was in January, yet we still had five days of heavy rain — thankfully, I was prepared. Ensuring your outer layers are GORE-TEX and 100 per cent waterproof is a must. In the past, I have made the mistake of purchasing waterproof clothing only to find out that they are “showerproof” or “water-resistant.” On this trek, the Arc’teryx Alpha SV Jacket was my go-to. This shell kept me dry all day through relentless rain. It was ultralight, abrasion-resistant, and contained RECCO technology. Made from recyclable material, the Alpha SV Jacket allowed me to hike freely without worrying about keeping my top layers dry.

On this trek, I also packed Arc’teryx’s new Psiphon Hoody and Psiphon Pants, which came in handy during tricky maneuvers up the Barranco Wall. These softshell items allowed me to move without restriction, stretch and climb while keeping my temperature regulated through breathable material.

Worn-in boots for different environments

On our first night of camping at Lemosho Forest Camp (2,650 metres), I couldn’t wait to head to my tent, wrap myself in my sleeping bag and dream of summiting. However, silence should not be expected when the only barrier between your head and the kitchen tent is a thin polyester lining. Not to mention the dozen other campsites just metres away, the bagging of pots and pans being cleaned and the enthusiastic discussions between trekkers. Thankfully, I was well-equipped to block out all sounds.

I have used the same Loop Dream earplugs for nearly two years and cannot recommend them enough. The world goes quiet when I put the durable silicone tips in my ears. The innovative soft-loop design reduces pressure, while the oval shape follows the ear’s natural shape. As a result, I wake up pain-free, and the tips stay in my ears all night.  

As someone who often sleeps on their side, I find Loop’s earplugs particularly helpful because they don’t press against my ear canal while I sleep. The dream earplugs are also great for drowning out background noise while working in airports, sitting on planes, or blocking out the noise of other trekkers snoring during their deep sleep.

Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. during the night of our summit push, I relied on my Blue Diamond Storm 500-R Rechargeable Headlamp for the entire six hours — it never failed. Some Kilimanjaro treks take place during a full moon. And on nights with clear skies, trekkers can rely solely on moonlight to guide their way up the mountain. But we needed our headlamps.

The Storm 500 R is powered by a BD 2400 Li-on battery, which is charged via micro USB (so don’t forget to also bring a power bank). Its updated optical efficiency provides excellent light and preserves battery life. This headlamp can emit 500 lumens on its maximum setting for seven hours. It emits six lumens for 350 hours on its lowest setting, with various lumen settings in between.

Multi-faceted daypack

When the sun is out and there are no clouds in the sky, walking across the Shira Plateau (an open stretch of exposed land) during the early days of trekking Kilimanjaro can be very hot. At this point of the journey, hikers will have moved out of the second (rainforest) climate zone and into the third (moorland and giant heather), meaning more sun exposure. We moved quickly to minimize our time in the heat on this day. I was grateful that items like my sunscreen, Nalgene, chapstick, sunglasses and snacks were readily available to grab without taking off my backpack.