Gallery: The Gear That Got Me to the Top of Kilimanjaro
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED01Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hoody and Beta AR Jacket
Arc'teryx [Beta AR Jacket](http://arcteryx.com/product.aspx?language=EN&model=Beta-AR-Jacket-W) and [Cerium LT Hoody](http://arcteryx.com/product.aspx?language=EN&model=Cerium-LT-Hoody-W): Ultralight and compressible, this down jacket was the ideal midlayer for summit night. It’s also wonderful around camp and when paired with the company's Beta AR jacket. This combo kept me shielded from some of the worst wind Kilimanjaro can offer. I knew that even if the wind blew me all the way down the mountain, at least I'd be warm, damnit. $549 jacket, $369 hoodie
Photograph: Josh Valcarcel/WIRED02Black Diamond Carbon Cork Alpine Trekking Poles
[Black Diamond Carbon Cork Alpine Trekking Poles](http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en/trekking-poles/alpine-carbon-cork-trekking-pole-BD1121410000ALL1.html): If it were socially acceptable, I would never leave home without these poles. Light, with reliable flick-lock closures, these cork-handled trekking poles saved my knees from guaranteed demolition. $160
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED03Julbo Monte Rosa Glacier Glasses
[Julbo MonteRosa Glacier Glasses](https://www.julbousa.com/mountain/monterosa/): These shades look bad-ass and their polarized lenses work like a charm. Removable inserts let you customize how much light hits your eyes from the side. My only regret is that Kili’s shrinking glaciers weren’t big enough to really test these things. $100 and up.
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED04Osprey Sirrus 24
[Osprey Sirrus 24](http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/group/hiking/sirrus_series): There is no such thing as a perfect daypack, but this one with a frame that feels like it’s giving you a hug comes pretty close. It holds more than you’d think, though I’ll admit, another outside pocket or two would make it perfect. $120
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED05Mountain Hardwear Heratio 15 Sleeping Bag
[Mountain Hardwear Heratio 15 Sleeping Bag](http://www.mountainhardwear.com/womens-heratio-15-regular-OU8535.html): Comfortable and cozy, but not quite capable of banishing the chill on the coldest of mountain nights. Wearing multiple layers, using a cocoon liner, and tossing a few hand-warmers in helped solve that problem. Bring a [bivy sack](http://www.mountainhardwear.com/dry.q-bivy-OU9663.html) in case of extreme cold, but watch out for interior condensation that can leave you wet and shivering. $260, and $189 for the bivy
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED06Prana Hat and Black Diamond Headlamp
[Prana Hat](http://www.prana.com/women/clothing/hats-scarves.html) and [Black Diamond Icon Headlamp](http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en/headlamps-and-lanterns/icon-headlamp-BD620617ALUMALL1.html#start=1): You might look like a bit of a goof in this down hat with earflaps, but at least your head will be happy. Bonus: Its fluffiness makes sleeping extra cozy. Other necessary headgear includes a decent headlamp. Believe me, you DO NOT want to be stumbling around the "bathrooms" on Kili in the dark. They're little shops of horrors, and while it might be nice to remain blind to all that's inside, a misplaced foot is guaranteed to ruin your night. (Remember: No boots in the tent.) $36, $90
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED07DeLorme InReach GPS/Satellite Messenger
[DeLorme InReach GPS/Satellite Messenger](http://www.inreachdelorme.com/product-info/): Once you get the hang of using the keypad, sending GPS messages on the InReach is a snap. It worked like a dream on Kilimanjaro, where you're pretty much guaranteed unobstructed views of the sky after the first day. The automatic altitude tagging lends a certain oomph to messages. Bring the USB charging cable and pair it with [Braven's rugged battery pack](http://www.braven.com/brv-bank-smart-ultra-rugged-portable-backup-battery-6000-mah.html) to make sure you've got enough juice for multiple days on the mountain, especially if you're tracking your route. $380, $100
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED08Thermo
[Thermos 24-ounce Insulated Drink Bottle](http://www.thermos.com/products/vacuum-insulated-24-oz-matte-black-drink-bottle.aspx): Insulation is key on Kili, especially on summit night when your trek starts around midnight and the wind can be something fierce. The water in my backpack's bladder froze within an hour, but luckily I had an extra stash to sip from in this insulated Thermos. Drop a few flavored electrolyte tablets in to help keep your internal batteries charged. $33
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED09Keen Hiking Boots
[Keen Durand Mid WP Hiking Boots](http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/shoes/women/durand-mid-wp): These boots + 6 days, 38.6 miles, and 27,000 feet of combined elevation gain and loss = two happy feet. Toenails: 10. Summit: 1. Blisters: 0. $180
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED10Suunto Ambit3 Peak
[Suunto Ambit3 Peak](http://www.suunto.com/en-US/Products/Sports-Watches/Suunto-Ambit3-Peak/Suunto-Ambit3-Peak-Black/): This watch could probably hail a passing spacecraft if you asked it to. It's a bit tricky to get reliable altitude readings from (make sure to calibrate it correctly), but it will track your mileage, route, speed, and heart rate—among other things. Bring a back-up battery pack for recharging, which you'll need to do every other day or so. $500
