BootsnAll Travel Community

Do i really need to go out and buy gortex/waterproof pants? i am climbing last week of june and i know there may be some wet days. i have a good jacket, a large poncho and was hoping to get by with my nylon shell waterproof pants. any advice? kh

If what you have is waterproof then you should be fine.Waterproof being the key. Water resistant can work..maybe you can buy the goretex spray.

Couple of us had gaiters as well and that helped with keep mud away.

Whatever you carry try and put them in plastic even the bag that the porters are going to carry.

Take large trash bags and use those.

I second Madhu, put EVERYTHING in plastic bags. I learned the hard way that my porter bag wasn’t actually waterproof. Luckily, I had a big garbage bag stashed in the bottom and was able to put that in my bag and then put everything else inside it. I was also lucky that it was the first day, once you get high and cold enough, nothing will dry overnight.
I also highly recommend Silk long johns, they weigh next to nothing and take up very little space in your bag, but are a really good insulating first layer. I think that REI carries them, but I got mine from wintersilks.com

Ages ago I walked up Kili with a similar setup to you (minus the waterproof pants). If I was to do it these days, I'd take these. $20 total for a set of waterproof/breathable jackets and pants. On top of that they're light and take up very little space. They're not very durable but they should last you a trip up Kili. Personally, I'd still take the poncho as well. I'd mostly wear the poncho as it will keep your pack dry. However, on a real windy and wet day above treeline, you're going to want to have the jacket.

Of course, you'll look like you're out collecting the trash instead of everyone else who is suited up like they're climbing Annapurna

Thanks to all replies to my raingear dilemma, they have helped me make decision and that is to just stay home and watch the imax movie about kilimanjaro instead!! kidding, kh