Mt. Kilimanjaro Climb

[Racksheets]

That is a great idea. If you can walk to a local store or coffee shop thats say 5 miles or so, you should do it. Wearing it for chores is great.

What brand/make is your pack? If you spent less than $50-100 on it (new pricing) you probably have an inferior pack.

Does it have a good padded hip belt? Do you know how to balance the loading weight between your hips and shoulders?

If you have an inexpensive pack but your GH distance is 10-20 miles it should work for on trip. If like Morgan you need to goes 250 miles you are screwed with a cheap pack.

Packs with compression straps can save your trip by keeping the load from shifting.

Dont know where you live but if you have a REI near you take a visit and ask some questions. I have been a member for 30 plus years and by most all of my "outdoor gear" there. Here is a lesson on how to pack your pack.

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/loading-backpack.html

If you have an REI near you they have what they call a B93 sale(garage sale) 2X a year. REI has a no questions asked return policy. Meaning if you have had a pack for 5 years and it breaks, they will give you full credit on something new.

Due to this policy they have amazing B93 sales. You can pick up $250-300 packs for $50 that have been used once. Stoves titanium pots and pans, tents sleeping bags..... You name it they have it.

The have a webstore

http://www.rei.com

And a outlet store

http://www.rei.com/outlet

Here is a list of their outlet packs
http://www.rei.com/outlet/c/packs-and-bags

Thanks for for the web pages. My husband is planning on going over to Africa and climb Mount Kilimanjaro in November. He's freaking out trying to organize his stuff. He's vacuum sealing everything in the house experimenting with how small he can get his stuff for the trip there. He asked me today how many baby wipes do I think he'll need to do general washing and butt wiping each day! Like I'd know the answer.
Any words of advice for his trip.
I told him if the crap hits the fan while he's gone it's kinda a long walk across the ocean!

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RS
If you have a REI near you, go the and ask questions

How much Int traveling has he done?

Be sure to keep up to date here

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings.html

[Racksheets]

RS
If you have a REI near you, go the and ask questions

How much Int traveling has he done?

Be sure to keep up to date here
http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...swarnings.html

He is new to this. He's going with 3others I'm thinking it's a chance if a lifetime type of thing and a bit of a mid life challenge. I'm not thrilled that he's going there but I wouldn't try to stop him.
We are gonna get him a spot trace tracker to take along. A friend of ours took this on his trip to northern Canada this past week on a bike trip and it's pretty cool to see the route.
Thanks for this link it will help me worry more!

[AD]

OK big thing is boots!!!! Do you have a REI near you? Check the website and see.

They will fit him for boots. He needs to find a great pair and he needs to start walking in the now. Around the block first then longer. Then start to carry his pack. REI can set you up with this too.

He needs to put in miles of walking and backpacking and spending the night(s) with what he carries on his back.

If he can get in 3-6 weekend to week long trips under his belt with his own equipment he will KNOW what works before he goes. If he does this there will be no surprises on his trip.

His boots will be broke in and fit perfect, his pack will have the minimum equipment he needs but nothing he does not.

According to this page http://www.ultimatekilimanjaro.com/days.htm its a 5 to 9 day climb. He needs to living out of his pack at least 75% of that time before he goes. I dont know if he is going with an outfitter who brings the food and supplies or is he going with everything on his back. Big difference.

There are several sites to explore ultra lightweight backpacking. Google it and study

It is also 19,341 feet tall and AMS(Acute Mountain Sickness) is a real possibility. Depending on where you live he needs to take a few trips backing to altitude if he can before he goes. Search for this on Mnt K and see how prevalent it is. Conditioning and taking the long trip (9 days) is the way to go to allow his body to acclimatize to the altitude.

The highest i have hiked/climbed is 13,000+ feet. i have flown in non pressurized airplanes upto 14,000 feet w/o O2 for up to 2 hours(which is against FAA rules) and had no problems because at the time I spent days skiing at extreme altitudes and knew I would not have problems.

Tell him to get his ham radio lic and do a SOTA(summits on the air) and get a speciality call sign and talk to people from around the world.

[W.Lynn]

《shortened 》He asked me today how many baby wipes do I think he'll need to do general washing and butt wiping each day! Like I'd know the answer.
Any words of advice for his trip.

Tell him to take 3 days using wipes, tally what he uses, and divide by 3 to get an average. But also remind him that if he gets sick, he'll want extra.

[Racksheets]

AD,
There is an REI by Dallas that he can go to so that's great. He is going on the 9 day climb where they provide food. Although he's thinking about taking more protein snacks incase the food they serve doesn't agree with him. I sent him your replies so that he can think about all these things.
The Ham radio things got his nerd juices going!
W. Lynn,
that's a terrific idea. I think he should just take a pack and put it in a ziplock bag and not worry about dividing it up so much. Some days will be hot and others will be cold. Hard to gage what you'll need but more would be better cause like you said he could get sick.
Thanks,
A-net

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For ham radio have him come to my site

http://www.preparedham.com/forums/index.php

If he is on meds get a months worth from his doc including antidiareal, anti emetics, cipro/zpack amd a pain med like tylonal 3 (codene) or vicodine

Look at the classes at dallas including a basic backpacking class on7/17 the is a basic map and compass class I would recommend as well

http://www.rei.com/stores/dallas.html/?s_kwcid=s5YFF3hRC_dt%7Cpcrid%7C32760340813%7Cpkw%7Crei%20dallas%7Cpmt%7Ce%7Cgoogle%7Cbrand&gclid=COS9iqeWjr8CFQaBfgodm7AA1A#classesAndEvents

Join REI(its a coop) for $20 and you will get 10% back on your purchases at the end of the year.

REI has a no bullshit guarentee if 10 years from now you decide he doesnt like his boot that have 1000 miles on them you can take them back! Really

They also have a B93(garage sale) that they sell returned stuff at cut rate prices. They have it 2X a year.

http://www.rei.com/promotions/garage-sale

[Racksheets]

Incase nobody's told you lately you are awesome! Thanks for all the great advice.

[AD]

Your welcome.

I have been a member of REI since the 70s.
Gone through many boot, packs and tents.

Been hiking all over AZ including the Grand Canyon. Longest trip was just short of 2 weeks

If I can help make his trip easier so he can really enjoy it, its worth the time to me to do so.

He might also want to look into taking a class in wilderness medicine.

He should take several days worth of freeze dried mountain house food just in case the SHTF while on the hike and he and the crew are forced to "exfil" to a friendly area. Hence the map and compass skills.

This is after all Africa and bad shit can happen anywhere. Probably wont, but being prepared is always good. Thats why he should be watching the travel advisory website in the months/weeks leading up to the trip.

Made WAYYYYYYYY to many mistakes along the way.

Look into blister kits with tincture of Benzoine and practice. You can buy kits like below, but I prefer to build my own

http://www.backpacker.com/april_2001_health_prevent_blisters/skills/1998?page=2

This is a video I could find,

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zpUKcRnQaqA

I use the same technique but put more benzione on and use 2 inch wide cloth athletic tape to cover the mole skin. You have to make sure the benzoine goes out far enough to be sure the tape will have it to stick to.

Buy a bottle of benzoine not just the small single use ones. A 2 oz bottle should work. having it can make or break the trip.

[unseenone]

Thanks for for the web pages. My husband is planning on going over to Africa and climb Mount Kilimanjaro in November. He's freaking out trying to organize his stuff. He's vacuum sealing everything in the house experimenting with how small he can get his stuff for the trip there. He asked me today how many baby wipes do I think he'll need to do general washing and butt wiping each day! Like I'd know the answer.
Any words of advice for his trip.
I told him if the crap hits the fan while he's gone it's kinda a long walk across the ocean!

That seems like a pretty dangerous region these days. If he gets into trouble, I've got friends in South Africa he can head in that direction. In the mean time, my friends buddy has an expedition outfit, who may travel to that area, you might consider getting in touch with him, and get some first hand information on that area, advice, etc. They also rent expedition vehicles, as well as Safari to that region as well.

Here's his web site, if you need I can get more direct contact information. http://www.southafrica4x4.co.za/ You'll find a lot of border control contact information his his web site as well. http://www.southafrica4x4.co.za/borderinfo.html

South African Cities, can be as well stocked as any US city, however once in the bush, things get get pretty thin. Travel Insurance would be highly recommended. IMO.

Where would he be flying in to, city, country?

[Racksheets]

He'll be flying into Tanzania not sure what city but it's near Mount Kilamanjaro. I know Africa right why didn't he want to go to Switzerland or something! Thanks for the info. I'll pass it on to him. Everyone on hear is so helpful with info I love it.

[unseenone]

I'm assuming he's connecting from UK, or US. I was just curious if he was flying into Johannesburg or not, doesn't look like it though.

Flights to Tanzania from the USA

There are no direct flights to Tanzania from the USA. There are connecting flights from the USA to Tanzania arriving at Julius Nyerere International Airport, which is about eight miles (13km) south-west of Dar es Salaam.

Which airlines fly to Tanzania from the USA?
British Airways has cheap flights to Tanzania from New York, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Orlando, Seattle, San Francisco, Miami, San Diego, Chicago, Dallas, Boston, Baltimore, Atlanta, Denver, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Houston and Washington Dulles.
KLM has flights to Tanzania from Los Angeles, Detroit, Washington Dulles, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland and New York.
Delta flies from Chicago, Phoenix, New York, New Orleans, Port Columbus, Portland, Tampa, Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego, Salt Lake City, Miami, Dallas, Boston, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Memphis, Denver, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Fort Meyers and Washington Dulles.

Read more: http://www.wordtravels.com#ixzz35Q6lJqbT

Airports in Tanzania

Julius Nyerere International Airport(DAR)

The airport is situated eight miles (13km) southwest of Dar es Salaam.
read more
Kilimanjaro International Airport(JRO)

The airport is located 25 miles (40km) southeast of Arusha.
read more
Zanzibar International Airport(ZNZ)

The airport is located four miles (6km) south of Stone Town

Read more: http://www.wordtravels.com#ixzz35Q78Tdl6

It is worthwhile to read through this web site; http://travel.state.gov/content/pass.../tanzania.html

Not to scare anyone away, but knowledge is power, and reading the safety & security section would be particularly prudent. So will be getting immunizations. Bringing some of your own antibiotics & first aid would be handy, but I assume this goes along with the mountain climbing.

Additionally, If you carry cash, small USD denominations, newer bills are your best bet.

Notably;
"The population in Zanzibar is 98 percent Muslim and generally holds traditional values. The U.S. Embassy has learned of women being harassed for dressing immodestly in public. U.S. citizens are advised to dress modestly (upper arms and legs covered, no exposed midriffs) outside of their hotel or resort and when arriving and departing the island, and to keep a low profile in public. The incidence of criminal and violent activity continues to rise. Travelers should exercise caution at all times. During the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast during daylight hours, avoid eating, drinking, smoking, or chewing gum in public except in hotels or restaurants. Traveling alone, even during the day, may pose risks.
Near the Rwandan border on segments of the Rusomo-Kahama road, U.S. Embassy officials are required to request police escorts because of armed bandit attacks."

[Racksheets]

The freeze dried food is a good idea. He's got a wild hair about having us make a fruit cake slice it up and vacuum seal it each piece. I'm like yuck but ok if that's what you want! He's good with a compass and maps he was in the service years ago. The blister kits is something I'll look into for him also the benzoine. I want him coming home the same way he left just with positive stories.
I think my husband joined REI this afternoon after your advice to go there.
Wilderness medicine classes, that's intriguing I bought a book a couple of weeks ago about plant use for healing. I'll have to check into classes cause I'd like to attend with him.
Thanks again

[Racksheets]

The guys he's going with are arranging the travel portion of the trip and I think they go from Dallas to Detroit, Amsterdam then Tanzania which I think is the kilamanjaro airport. My husband hates flying and I'm not sure his liver will take all the take offs and landings. Which is why I won't try to change his mind about going cause he wants to go and is willing to do all that flying to and from.
Maybe it will help him with his fear of flying. ( or not!)

[W.Lynn]

"Wilderness" first aid, "expedient" first aid, ditch medicine. You can find much on web sites.

Almost anything stiff can be a splint (even a newspaper or magazine, done right.) Almost anything flexible can be used to tie it. Having the basic knowledge is the beginning, being willing to use less than perfect options because they're better than nothing is next, and being open minded about the many things that really ARE options (the right moss and leaves, tied with a boot lace, has saved lives.)

Finding a class is a great option, especially if you can find one taught by an FMF Navy corpsman!