5000-6000m Mountain Hiking & Camping Gear List
Many passionate hikers going from low altitude mountains in UAE to high altitude mountains such as Kilimanjaro, Mt. Elbrus, Everest Base Camp, Mt. Kenya, Mt. Kazbek and many other similar heights worldwide. Here is a general list that fits majority of the non technical hikers' mountains, including the most essential gears for trekking & camping.
What to wear?
Layer system is most commonly used. Apart from under-clothing, we can wear basic hiking clothes that we use in UAE for hot days, base layer for cool weather, add or remove fleece layer, down layer, or weather proof layer as the conditions change during the trip.
Upper body:
- Base layer: long sleeves top (merino wool is recommended)
- Fleece layer: long sleeves fleece top
- Down layer: 800FP down jacket, light weight, ultra compact
- Weather proof layer: a jacket that is wind & rain proof
Lower body:
- Base layer: long sleeves top (merino wool is recommended)
- Fleece layer: long fleece tights
- Down layer: This is optional to keep warm at campsite. It's not as important in the day hike, as lower body move a lot to stay warm.
- Weather proof layer: pants that is wind & rain proof
Head/hand/feet:
- Sunhat for warm days
- Thin gloves
- Down gloves for cold weather
- Fleece hat for cold weather
- Merino wool socks
- Water repellent hiking boots with mid/high-cut ankle support
What to carry for daily hike?
On self supported trekking trip, there is no doubt that everything we need on the mountains will be in our 60-70L backpack.
On a supported trip, the tour operator will transport our duffle bags as we hike from point A to B. Hikers will only need to carry what we need during the hike in the day.
- A 25-35L backpack
- Hiking poles
- A whistle
- 2-3L water bladder
- 1L wide mouth Nalgene bottle
- Waterproof layers: rain jacket, rain pants, rain cover for backpack
- Extra layers for cold weather: warm hat, gloves, down-jacket, etc
- Basic aid kit: emergency blanket, bandages, blister kit, eye drops, personal medications, etc
- Sun protection: sun glasses, sun screen, hat, lip balm, etc
- Hydration & fuel: water, food, snacks, energy gels, energy bars, trail mix, electrolytes, etc
- Headlamp, batteries, power bank, charging cables
- Tissues, wipes, hand sanitizer, a zip bag to carry small sized trash
- For female, extra sanitary pads & hair ties are always handy
What to put in the duffle bag?
Apart from what we wear, what we carry on the hike in the day, rest of the our items will need to be packed in the duffle bag: what we use for sleeping, extra clothing, extra food/snacks, and all other personal items.
What to use for camping?
- Hygiene kit: tooth brush, tooth paste, mini soap bar, moisturiser
- Down sleeping bag with comfort temp rating -10C minimal
- Sleeping bag liner
- optional items: pee bottle, nail cutter, hand/feet warmers, ear plugs,
On unsupported trips, we need to carry insulated sleeping mat and 4 season tent.
What to cook with?
Hot meals can be provided by tour operators in most of mountain trips. In case not, we will need below items to cook hot meals. Features for cooking tools: lightweight, functional, efficient. Features for food: lightweight, easy to cook, nutritious, calorie dense, flavors/tastes we like.
- Stove
- Cooking pot
- Lighter
- Gas canister
- Utensils - fork/spoon
- Freeze dried meals
- Drinks that you like: coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc
Above list is a general summary of the most used items during a trip at 5000-6000m height in the mountains, to keep ourselves safe, warm & fueled properly. We may pack different quantities of the items depending on duration of the trip, personal comfort and preferences.
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