Agnes has suffered from Marfan Syndrome since birth. While Marfan Syndrome can affect many organs of the body, Agnes is fortunate that it only appears to have affected her eyes.

Agnes’s school principal took a special interest in her years ago and went above and beyond her own resources to help Agnes. This included allowing her to have more time to take exams as well as reading questions to her, but there were several bigger challenges looming.

The principal reached out to Foothold early in 2022 observing that Agnes’s vision had significantly deteriorated and her final exams were approaching in early December 2022. Her principal had petitioned the Ministry of Education for Agnes to receive specialized accommodations of a large-print test and additional time, but those requests were ignored in spite of her repeated letters, calls and documentation.

The 8th-grade exam is the highest stakes test that Kenyan students take: it determines if they even qualify for high school and which schools they are permitted to attend since Kenyan high schools are designated and ranked by student test scores.

In spite of her condition, Agnes has consistently performed at the top of her class every year. With her family’s lack of resources, Agnes qualifying for a high-ranking high school could be an incredible opportunity for her and her family.

Another challenge facing Agnes is the fact that the very accommodations that helped her in primary school would not likely to be available to her as she entered high school. Students like her with disabilities often drop out of school. While there are several schools for the blind in Kenya, they can be expensive and far away from her family.

A group of educators from Chillicothe, Ohio gave $500 to our high school tuition scholarship. I reached out to them to see if they would be interested in diverting some of the funds to help Agnes get appropriate glasses since not all of her school fees would be due at once. We estimated her glasses would cost approximately $100.

In October 2022, Agnes was taken to the Lions International Hospital in Mombasa where she saw several specialists who concluded that glasses would not help her. She needed surgery which would cost $500, thus using up her entire tuition scholarship for the year. We decided to go ahead and allocate the funds to her surgery.

Her surgery was unfortunately pushed back due to scheduling and the discovery that she needed surgery in both eyes. We were also concerned that scheduling the surgery too close to her exams could be risky, so she took her exams without support, and so far reports are that she performed well, but the results are still being confirmed.

On December 15, 2022, Agnes arrived at Lions Hospital for surgery. The doctors decided it was best to do surgery on just one eye and for her to return in a few weeks to evaluate her progress and plan for the second eye.

She reported right away that her vision was dramatically improved. (See video below)

As she awaited the final results, we were faced with raising funds again for her school tuition. Brad sent out an email on Christmas Eve about her story. We had a donor give $500 the same day! We are excited to see what this incredible young woman can accomplish, but she’s not completely out of the woods.

She will return to the specialists in the beginning of the year 2023 to evaluate her progress and potentially prepare for a second surgery, but for now, the future looks so much brighter!

Below is a bio that Agnes wrote for us:

I come from Njoro Masai and my name is Agnes. I have a younger brother and the two of us live with our old grandmother. I have a condition known as ‘marfan syndrome’ which I have lived with since my childhood. With the help from Foothold International, I have been able to go to Lions Club hospital and will be undergoing surgery to help me see again. I have also done my final exam and I’m waiting to join high school next year but that will be possible if I get school fees which will enable me continue with my studies so as to achieve my dream of becoming an Optician. I aspire to help both the young and the old who have eye problems.

To help us empower more young women and families like Agnes, click the DONATE link below.

Fauzia had already been through so much in her young life. She and her two younger siblings lost both of their parents to HIV. Her Aunt Hannah (who is also the Chair Woman of the Namelok ladies group), took them all in as her own children.

Although Hannah supported Fauzia, she was also struggling with how this pregnancy was going to affect them financially. It was tough enough raising three additional children, and now she faced feeding another child along with the increased cost of Fauzia’s school fees ($500/year). Still, Hannah was most worried about Fauzia’s health and well being.

Hannah broke down when we talked to her last year about seeing her niece in such depression. She is a tough woman, but she also recognized her limits. She reached out to the Namelok ladies and Fauzia’s favorite teacher to come to visit and encourage Fauzia. Fauzia was quickly surrounded by the loving support and encouragement of a group of women who knew exactly what Fauzia was going through. They offered her encouragement and support.

Her Aunt Hannah promised her she would get to continue going to school, but honestly she did not know how she was going to pay for her high school fees. She reached out to our staff for support, so we at Foothold raised the $500/year to cover Fauzia’s high school fees.

Nahashon is well cared for by both his young mother, Fauzia and his Great Aunt Hannah with help from Fauzia’s youngest sister and the entire Namelok ladies group who give him more attention than he often wants. His mother, Fauzia attends a local day high school, so she is with her son whenever she is not in school.

When we visited the summer/fall of 2022, we found Hannah carrying Nahashon on her hip doing her daily chores, and when the ladies met Fauzia’s little sister carried him around the same way. We met Fauzia one day before school, and we witnessed her getting herself ready for school and feeding Nahashon.

Whenever you buy a bar of soap, you’re helping to support the livelihood of this family and many families in their community with similar stories. If you would like to purchase a bar or two of soap, you can click the link below. If you would like to support families like Nahashon’s click the donate button.

IMPORTANT TIP: Bring dollars that are new (nothing older than 2016) with no marks or tears.

Your trip up Kilimanjaro will include the following (unless other arrangements have been made):

• All food during the climb
• Hotel before & after climb in Moshi, Tanzania
• Breakfast all days
• Flights
• Transportation to and from the airport in Moshi, Tanzania
• Transportation to and from the mountain and your hotel in Moshi

Things to pay for prior:

• $100-300–Shots (Check with us to find out which shots you are required and which ones are required. Click here to read more.
• $100–Visa Application (30 days Prior)

Money to Carry with You:

• $20-40 on the climb to buy snacks & souvenirs while waiting to check in and on the way back to the hotel.
• Tips $400+
• Lunch & Dinner days before and after climb $6-15/each meal
• Optional Waterfall & Coffee Plantation Tour $30-50 (pre-climb)
• Optional Hot Springs Trip $30-50 (post-climb)
• Shopping opportunities are limited to a few curio shops that sell inexpensive t-shirts and various handmade souvenirs. However, if you’re interested in tanzanite jewelry, there are lots of opportunities for great deals, but it is a high-end item compared to other typical souvenirs
• Food during layovers.

Arrive in Kilimanjaro airport in the afternoon.  We will meet you at the airport and drive about an hour and half to the hotel.  We will check in, unpack, and eat dinner at the hotel.

DAY 2 (Friday)

Optional trip to Waterfalls and Coffee Plantation.  Meet with mountain guides to inspect our gear.  ($20-40/person)

DAY 3 (Saturday: 1^st Day of Climb)

Lemosho Gate-Mti Kubwa Camp: Rainforest

• 8am Leave hotel around for Londorossi Gate.
• Drive 2-3 hours
• Expect delays…we will carry a box lunch and eat sometime before we climb…this is the most chaotic part of the trip.
• After completing the paperwork at Londorossi National Park gate, we drive through farmland to reach the Lemosho trailhead.
• Hike for about 3 hours through the rain forest.
• Evening Camp at Mti Kubwa (Big Tree Camp)

2-3 hours · 2.9 miles Elevation: 9137ft to 11,496ft

Elevation Gain: +1,700 ft.

DAY 4 (Sunday: 2^nd Day of Climb)

Mti Kubwa Camp-Shira One: Rainforest to Mooreland

• 7am Breakfast
• 8am Begin Hike to Shira 1 Camp
  • Start in Rainforest & enter into the Mooreland
• The trail climbs with gorgeous views of the area around Kilimanjaro, but the summit may not be in view until the afternoon, depending on weather.
• By afternoon, we reach the rim of the Shira Plateau & get possibly the first clear view  of the summit since we will now be at cloud level.
• Short break at the rim, then we descend into the Shira plateau to Camp at Shira One Camp
• Late lunch at Shira 1
• Leisure hike after lunch to help with climatization 

4-6 hours · 4.9 miles  Elevation: 9137ft to 11,496ft
Altitude gained: +2359 feet

DAY 5 (Monday: 3^rd Day of Climb)

Shira One Camp-Shira Two Camp : Mooreland

• 7am Breakfast
• 8am Begin Hike to Shira Two Camp
  • Steady uphill climb through the Moorelands
  • This is not a difficult climb
• Lunch & Dinner at Shira Two Camp
• At Shira Two camp, it is likely to get cell service
• Shira Two has beautiful views, but it is windy & dusty.  The weather can be hot in the sun, but cold in the wind.  A decent windbreaker jacket is helpful at camp. 
• 5-7  hours · 4.3 miles  Elevation: 11,496ft to 12,770ft
  Altitude gained: +1283 feet

DAY 6 (Tuesday: 4^th Day of Climb)

Shira Two Camp  – Lava Tower – Barranco CAMP: Semi-Desert

• 7am Breakfast
• 8am Begin Hike to Lava Tower
  • This is steep hike that will push you and test your acclimatization.  The altitude gains are deceiving because it is a steep & steady climb to Lava Tower & then steep descent to Barranco Camp
• Lunch at Lava Tower
• After lunch steep descent to Barranco Camp
• This is likely the most comfortable camp to sleep and acclimatize.  After hiking high before lunch, you should enjoy and appreciate sleeping at a lower elevation.
• Barranco Camp is in the shadow of Barranco Wall, the challenge for the next day!
  • Barranco Wall is nicknamed Breakfast Wall because you will climb it immediately after breakfast the next day

4-6  hours · 6.3 miles  Elevation: 12,770 to 13,077ft
Altitude gained: +300 feet

DAY 7 (Wednesday: 5^th Day of Climb)

Two Camp : Barranco Camp- Karanga Camp: Alpine Desert

• 7am Breakfast
• 8am Descend from Camp and begin the 900ft climb up the Barranco Wall
  • The wall is very intimidating in appearance, but quite safe to climb.  You will tuck away your trekking poles because you will need your hands to help you scramble up the wall.
  • This can take 2-3 hours if congested.  If you’re brave, check out the view.  If the weather is clear, the view is amazing.
• Rest at top of  Barranco Wall & then continue to Karanga Camp
• Late lunch at Karanga Camp, Dinner & Sleep
• 4-5  hours · 3 miles  Elevation: 13,077 to 13,235ft
  Altitude gained: +158 feet

DAY 8 (Thursday: 6^th Day of Climb)

Two Camp : KARANGA CAMP- BARAFU Camp: Alpine Desert

• 7am Breakfast
• 8am Begin Hike to Barafu Camp (basecamp)
• Lunch & rest at Barafu Camp
• Early Dinner
• Sleep 7pm-11:30pm                                                   4-5  hours · 2 miles  Elevation: 13,235 to 15,295
                                                                                                                          Altitude gained: +2060 feet

DAY 8-9 (Thur-Fri: 6-7^th Day of Climb)

BARAFU Camp- Summit-MWEKA Camp:  

Alpine Desert,  Glaciers, Snow-Capped Summit, Moorland, Rainforest

• 11:30pm Breakfast
• Midnight: Begin hike to summit
• 6-7am Arrive @ Stella Point & watch the Sunrise
• 7-8am Summit!

6-8  hours · 8 miles  Elevation: 15,295 to 19,341
Altitude gained: +4045 feet

• 8-11am Descend to Barafu
• 11am-1pm Rest/eat lunch
• 1pm-4pm Hike to camp for the night (2 options depending on time)

6-8  hours · 8 miles  Elevation: 19,341 to 10,190
Altitude lost: -9,150 feet

DAY 10 (Saturday: 8^th Day of Climb)

MWEKA Camp – MWEKA Gate :  Rainforest

• 7am Breakfast
• 8am Begin Hike to  Mweka Gate
• Return to Hotel, receive certificates, rest & shower

3-4  hours · 6 miles  Elevation: 10,190ft to 5358ft
Altitude lost: -4,833feet

DAY 11 (Sunday) Optional Visit to Hot Springs ($20-40)

DAY 12 (Monday) Optional Wildlife Safari ($300-500)

DAY 13 (Tuesday) Leave Kilimanjaro Airport to return home

1. The easy & expensive
2. The cheaper and a little harder

If you’re short on time, but not so much money, the easy thing to do is to stop in at any REI store. They will suit you up with all you need. It won’t take you long, and you will have great, reliable, quality gear. However, you will pay more money, and time is money, so this is an important consideration. The other consideration with option #1 is if you’re going to make this a habit.

Let’s say you plan to hike other mountains or you live out west near some 14ers. If you plan to do this more, it is definitely worth the investment. On the other hand, there are quite a few things that you may never use again, so you may night need the highest quality gear for an 8-day hike.

WHAT I DID SPEND MONEY ON: 2 things…

• my boots and
• my backpack.

I bought both at REI. And I recommend doing the same, no matter how much of a bargain shopper you are (like me). If you are an REI member (which is going to pay for itself just prepping for this), you can actually take your boots home for 3 months, break them in & bring them back if there’s anything that’s “not quite right” for you. And when it comes to boots, which is the most important piece of gear to get first to break in, REI is worth the investment.

When it came to my backpack, I made the mistake of purchasing one on Amazon…don’t recommend doing that. This isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” like your school backpacks. You actually need to be sized appropriately for your backpack. Come to find out I was on the small side, torso-wise that is. I would’ve bought a medium or a large women’s if I hadn’t have gone to REI to get sized. You will need a backpack that has a spine and compatible with a hydration pack.

If you want to spend as little as possible, I recommend a few things:

• Facebook Marketplace: This is where I bought an excellent used sleeping bag.
• Ebay: after being sized at REI, my husband, Brad bought his nearly-new Osprey backpack, which is really pretty for a man’s backpack. And let me just say that knowing he bought it on Ebay, REI still offered to size the bag for him because Osprey bags need you to adjust them, which is best done by an Osprey sales rep.
• REI Garage Sale: If you’re a member, you can visit their Garage Sale section of the store where they resell items people return. This is where I found an amazing down jacket.
• Sierra: This was formerly called Sierra Trading Post, but now it’s a part of the TJMaxx brand. If you’re in Ohio, they have a nice one at Easton Town Center where Dick’s Sporting Goods use to be. It’s a great store full of overstock outdoors gear. We bought most of our gear here. It was fun to see what we can find…the best deal on wool socks out there & you just cannot have enough wool socks for the hike. And you can order online and get your items shipped to the store for free.

Spotlight on our Guide:

• Francis Kimario
• Married with 3 children: 2 girls, 1 boy
• 12 years leading teams to the summit
• More than 50 trips led
• 2007–started out as a porter carrying luggage up the mountain.
• He worked as a porter for 3 years before becoming a guide.
• Favorite Route: Machame Route 7 days
• His advice for climbing Kilimanjaro: “Prepare your mindset before the climb. Climbing Kilimanjaro does not depend on being physically fit. The more mentally fit you are, the better. People with disabilities can climb the mountain!”

I met Francis a few years before my first Kilimanjaro Climb. Melanie Detty and I had travelled to Kenya and booked a day hike on our last day before flying home. This hike followed the 1st day climbing the Marangu Route, which is the most popular route that ends at the first camp.

I had unfortunately traveled with a nasty sinus infection (this was prior to Covid), so I didn’t think much of traveling while sick, and by the time of our hike, I had recovered, but Melanie was in the throws of the worst of the infection. Still, she was undeterred and adamant to hike in spite of not feeling well.

It was rough for her, but she made it to our destination. Francis was so patient with us, quiet, but attentive. I remember just feeling like we were in good hands. I asked him hundreds of questions about the climb, and he told me the Machame Route was his favorite, and he did not recommend the Marangu route. He didn’t like the huts. He felt that the set up of the camps often forced people who weren’t traveling together to share a hut, and this just made him uncomfortable as a guide, due to all of the things he said that could go wrong in that scenario. He felt much better having the group he was leading staying together.

Fast forward three years later, and I’m meeting Francis again the night before our Kilimanjaro climb. He looks different. I’m not sure it’s him. He introduces himself quietly, so I don’t catch his name. He doesn’t look like he recognizes me. We go through our briefing. He and Abuu, his assistant, check our equipment. I’m still not sure if its him until the next day, we’re riding to the gate, and I find a picture I took of him three years ago and show it to him. “That’s you isn’t’ it? Or do you have a brother?”

The look of shock on his face was just too funny. Now, he remembered me! We laughed and chatted about that hike. He smiled confidently, pointing to the mountain, “This time it will be better.”
As a person who has organized and led numerous trips to Kenya and Uganda, I appreciated his leadership throughout the trip. He wasn’t just watching out for three American women, he had a crew of 13 people he was also managing, and I was impressed with the care and attention he took to his crew’s needs as well as ours.

And in spite of his age, just one year younger than me, the three of us ladies looked to him as a dad, always checking in, making sure our shoes were tied properly, drinking more water, trusting our own strength, pushing us to keep moving when we wanted to stop, and telling us to also rest when we needed to.

Summit night for me was personally very, very difficult. He was the guide I needed to get to the summit. There were many tears shed that night and doubts that I would make it, but Francis encouraged me in a way few people could at the same time checking my oxygen and assessing my mental status to make sure it was safe for me to continue.

If you have ever considered climbing Kilimanjaro, I have complete confidence that Francis Kimario will take the best care of you.

You will have 2 bags on your hike:

1. A Duffel (70-100 L)

2. Day Backpack (30-50 L)

1. Each day, your porter will carry your duffel. You will pack all the things that are not needed during the day’s hike (this includes your sleeping bag, clothes, toiletries, etc).  Porters will setup camp before we arrive & have your duffel waiting in your tent each evening.Keep your duffel at below 33 pounds/15kg.
2. Your dayback is a lightweight hiking backpack used just for the essentials you will need while you hike: water, snacks, extra layer, camera, etc.

When preparing for your flight, you will check your duffel bag and carry-on your day backpack.  You also MUST wear your hiking boots on the flight to guarantee your boots do not get lost.

In rare occasions, checked luggage can be lost.  You can rent replacement equipment in Moshi if that happens, but you DO NOT want to rent boots, nor do you want to rent a day backpack.  The items for rent are appropriate, but you would be lucky to find items that fit you.

Your guides will inspect your gear the night before the climb and gather any equipment that we may be lacking.

Overall Packing List:

• Waterproof leather boots $130-200+
• Day Backpack (30-40L with hydration bladder)
• Hydration bladder
• Sleeping Bag 0 to-20 Degrees F
• Duffel 80-100L (waterproof/water resistant)
• Trekking poles
• Headlamp
• Socks 8-12 pair (wool recommended)
• Fleece jacket
• Insulated down jacket (synthetic NOT recommended)
• Face covering or Balaclava
• Outer Shell Jacket water/windproof
• Rain pants
• Snow/ski pants (water resistant & fleece lined)
• Lightweight Gloves
• Winter gloves or mittens (waterproof)
• Sunglasses
• Base Layers (2-3 wool or silk recommended)
• Altitude prevention medication (talk with your doctor)
• Hat for blocking sun
• Winter toboggan for summit night
• 1-3 hiking pants
• 1-3 Shirts
• 1-2 lightweight t-shirts
• 8+ underwear
• Camp shoes
• Extra water bottle
• Personal wipes
• Protein bars, granola bars, or trail mix
• Basic toiletries
• Travel pillow
• Passport
• Visa Application Approval Form
• Covid Travel Form (if required)
• Covid Test Card
• Yellow CDC card

Cherie’s Recommendations

• Waterproof leather hiking boots
  • This the most important gear you will buy.  I bought my boots at a local shoe shop and paid more than I wanted to at the time, but I was so grateful on the climb that I didn’t skimp on this.
  • Things to consider:
    • Leather or Gortex?
      • Gortex is lighter, cheaper, more comfortable on first wear, and they look much cooler than leather, but…this is a big one, they’re just not as durable.  They are ready to go without much break-in, but I’ve read too many stories of climbers with gortex boots wearing holes or having separation from the soles on the climb…this could be devastating.  You want to break in your shoes, but unfortunately gortex has a tendency to break down during break-in period.
      • Leather is heavier and takes more time to break in, but they are more reliable and with proper leather care can last for years.
    • Other considerations—you want a hefty tread and good toe protection.
    • It’s recommended that you break them in with 30+ miles of hiking before the climb.
• Day Backpack
  • 30-40L with water bladder capability
  • Another item worth trekking to REI to purchase.  Let them know this is not a full-on backpackers backpack you’re looking for.  The size you’re looking for is often for day hikers and even rock climbers. 
  • Make sure to get a rain jacket for your backpack.  A lot of models include one, but if not, they cost $15-30.
  • You will NOT be carrying your food, backpack, tents, etc, so, you only need one that can carry a couple layers of clothes and has capability of adding a water bladder
    • My husband bought an Osprey (which of course is the hiker’s brand), but I liked the REI Co-op brand better for myself. 
    • Osprey backpacks need to be fitted on you.  Again, REI sales reps will help measure you and size you.  It is important to be measured and know what size you need. Some backpacks, like mine aren’t adjustable, so you have to just make sure you buy the right size for your torso length.
• Hydration Bladder
  • Osprey has the best warranty, and the sales reps will definitely try to push these, and they’re worth it if you’re going to use them long after the climb for other hikes.
  • But the generic brand bladders also performed just as well as the name brand bladders did on the hike.
• Sleeping Bag 0 to-20 Degrees F
  • Keep in mind degree ratings are determined arbitrarily by the manufacturer, so take these ratings with a grain of salt.
  • Watch for ratings that may be in Celsius instead of Fahrenheit.
  • Consider the down rating and the style.  You can get by with a 0 Degrees F sleeping bag if the down rating is at least:
    • 650FP Duck Down
    • The one I bought from Amazon was 0 degrees and worked fine. The price has gone up a bit since I bought it.  I also have a Marmot that I bought used that I like even better.  What I like about this one on Amazon is that you can order small, medium, large to tailor to your height.  For reference, I’m 5’ 6”, and I bought a size small.
      • https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LWDE8Q2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1
  • Mummy-style with drawstrings for the face and neck collar is essential.  Look for extra padding or a “shelf” around the neck to provide extra warmth, and if the neck shelf includes another drawstring, this also helps keep you warm.
  • Feet area—look for a bag with a little extra padding in the feet as your feet can get cold at night.  This isn’t the biggest issue, but it can help you be more comfortable.
  • Pay attention to the zipper.  My lovely Marmot sleeping bag has a good zipper, but it sometimes gets a little stuck.  The cheaper one I got on Amazon zips & unzips much easier.
• Duffel
  • 80-100L (waterproof or water resistant)
  • Eagle Creek, Thule, North Face and a few other brands make nice ones.  The Eagle Creek 90L I found to be the most reasonably priced.  I was cautious of the REI brand duffels. They had bad reviews for water resistance.
    • https://www.rei.com/product/148362/eagle-creek-migrate-duffel-90-liters
  • North Face was the nicest & most expensive of the duffels I saw.
  • FYI–No bag is going to be 100% waterproof even though they may be made of “waterproof materials,” the seams and zippers are always to going have some vulnerability, but it’s not a huge deal because the porters carry your duffel inside another canvas bag, so you have pretty good water protection.
• Trekking poles
  • I bought a $20 pair from Sierra.  It worked fine, but I wished I had better quality material on the handles for comfort, plus the cheap foam made my hands look dirty the whole time.
  • Cork is much more comfortable, but there are some with high quality foam that would also be comfortable…it’s up to your preference.
  • Double handle is helpful—many times myself and the other climbers found that they had to grab the poles below the handle suddenly during steep descents.  There are poles designed with a “second foam handle” for this, and I do recommend that feature for comfort.
  • Since the climb, I bought a Black Diamond that I paid $140 at REI, and I’m really happy with that purchase.
  • Black Diamond and Leki brands are good quality
  • Carbon fiber or Aluminum?
    • Carbon fiber is lighter, but aluminum is more durable.
  • This is my pole I bought after the climb:
    • https://www.rei.com/product/147516/black-diamond-trail-ergo-cork-trekking-poles-womens-pair
  • These are the carbon fiber ones my husband bought:
    • https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IC7XZ68/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I recently fell during a hike in Colorado, slightly bending the aluminum pole, but it didn’t break, so I was able to finish my hike with it slightly bent.  Had it been a carbon fiber, it would have just broke.  Since I bought it at REI just about 4 months ago, I took it back to them and they gave me a new pair, no questions asked (as an REI member).

• Headlamp
  • Buy a cheap one. Bring a couple extra batteries. Don’t sweat this one.
• Socks 8-12 pair (wool recommended)
  • I am a huge advocate for wool socks.  Whenever I wore cotton socks, I found my feet got sweaty and they tended to get really cold.  On summit night, you will wear 2 pair of socks: one will be a liner-type of sock (again I recommend this being wool), and a thicker longer, boot sock over top. 
  • Sierra sells these  cheap when they have them.  If you wait to the last minute, they can be expensive.
  • Extra socks don’t take up much room, but they can be a life saver if your socks get wet or sweaty.
  • Darn Tough is a favorite brand among hikers & backpackers with good reason.  They are amazingly comfortable, durable & come in great colors & designs.  You can find these year-round on Amazon, REI, Sierra…
• Snow pants
  • You want 1 pair of water resistant, fleece lined pants for summit night.  Eddie Bauer has the best price I’ve found on these.  You may find them online.
• Fleece jacket
  • You need a fleece layer which can be a jacket, hoodie or vest.
• Insulated jacket (down highly recommended)
  • Down is amazing!
  • Those who wore a big synthetic down jacket were very cold on summit night.
  • Lightweight packable down jackets may not be enough, so be ware.  I originally had an Eddie Bauer packable down, but when I tested it out on Ohio winter hikes, it did not keep me warm.  I needed something with a hood and a little more coverage in the back.
  • I found a used REI down that was beefier than my Eddie Bauer with a hood and nice bungee drawstring on the bottom to hold in body heat better.  Still considered a packable jacket, it came with a compression bag, but it did not pack down quite as small as the lighter one. The space was worth keeping me warm on summit night.
• Face covering or Balaclava
  • Take time to figure out which style works for you.  Some face masks make you feel like you’re suffocating and can cause problems for you in high altitudes.
    • My husband has a nice wool neck gaiter that gives you room to breathe, but for others, a balaclava or ski mask works for them.
• Outer Shell Jacket water/windproof
  • Eddie Bauer sells a nice affordable storm jacket that worked wonderful for the climb.
  • This layer is supposed to be used just in case of rain, so you want it to be as water resistant as possible but remember that no jacket is ever completely waterproof.
  • My Eddie Bauer storm jacket was also very comfortable at higher elevation camps where the wind was obnoxious. 
  • Buy one that is roomy enough for all the layers.  On summit night, you will wear it over several layers.
• Rain pants
  • These are for “just in case of” rain, so buy a cheap, but light waterproof pair.  You’re likely to only use them if it rains/snows on summit night.  None of us used ours, but we carried it on summit night just in case.
• Lightweight Gloves
  • These are your thin glove liners you would use on several days on the mountain. During summit night, you will wear snow gloves over these, so you want to make sure they will fit under your pair of warmer gloves or mittens.
  • I got a pair of silk glove liners on Amazon that I really love.  They work wonderful, but not so durable.
• Winter gloves or mittens
  • Thermal gloves or mittens to wear on summit night over your lightweight gloves.
  • Water resistant snow gloves are recommended.
• Sunglasses
  • Safety glasses could be a good idea for summit night, but not essential
  • Regular, comfortable sunglasses are fine.  Don’t stress on this one either. Where what you like.
• Base Layers (2-3 wool or silk recommended)
  • The youtube video is a great tutorial on choosing base layers.  They can be pricey, so keeping an eye on Sierra’s website can help you save money
    • https://youtu.be/7SX1FvhemTw
  • You will wear 2 pair on summit night, and you will wear those same clothes for 2 days without changing!  So it’s recommended to set aside 2 pair of base layer pants for summit night & 1 pair of base layer top and only wear them on those days.
  • Base layers are also great for keeping you warm inside your sleeping bag, but I actually got too warm on most nights, so I was glad I brought along some lighter weight sleeping pants on most nights.
• Altitude prevention medication (talk with your doctor)
• Hat for blocking sun
  • Wear what you like
• Winter toboggan for summit night
  • No need if you have a balaclava or ski mask
• 1-3 hiking pants
  • Zip-off pants are really convenient.  You can get by with one pair of these if you have to
  • Pants that stretch a little are helpful
  • Look for fabrics that are lightweight and water wicking
• 1-3 Shirts
  • Hiking/fishing shirts are great, especially if the long sleeves can roll up to short sleeve.
  • Shirts that have SPF protection are a plus but not essential
• 1-2 lightweight t-shirts
  • Short sleeve or sleeveless
  • It’s nice to wear these under your long sleeve shirt and/or at night
• 8+ underwear
  • A couple extra pair of underwear doesn’t take up much room in your duffel, so why not?
  • Since you’re not showering the whole climb, extra underwear are a nice thing to change out.
• Camp shoes:
  • You can bring hiking sandals (Like Chacos or Tevas), but I recommend bringing instead, a pair of comfy running or trail shoes.
  • I switched out my hiking boots for my trail running shoes on the very last day of descent, and it was lovely as heavy hiking boots aren’t so comfortable on the steep descent.
  • A pair of thin slides or flip flops may be helpful (if you have room) when going in and out of your tent.
• Extra water bottle
• Personal wipes
• Protein bars, granola bars, or trail mix
  • Just bring a few.  There will be plenty of hot food served at camp, so these snacks are only needed for breaks in between meals.
• Basic toiletries:
  • Wash cloth
  • Face wipes/ hand towel
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrush
  • Deodorant
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug spray
  • Small travel soaps provided daily

• Travel pillow
• Passport
• Visa Application Approval Form
• Covid Travel Form (if required)
• Covid Test Card
• Yellow CDC card

Other Optional Considerations:

• Contacts (if you wear them)—consider bringing dailys.  It can be very hard to get your hands clean enough let alone keep your contact case clean especially at Shira camp.
• Nasal moisturizing gel—the air is tough and can be very dry.  It’s the thing I most I wished I brought with me.
• Hydration powder
  • I really liked Liquid IV. I felt it really helped with altitude symptoms.  I used one packet daily.
  • Other sports drink powders are helpful if you like them.  For some people they can cause heartburn, so make sure you try out any before the trip to make sure you can tolerate them.
• Cough drops
  • Again, the strong winds and altitude can really dry your sinuses. Cough drops were so very soothing.
• Battery pack & cables
  • If you want to keep phone or camera charged for the climb.
• Solar Panel
  • Do NOT waste your money on solar battery packs.  They are a gimmick and are a waste of weight in your bag.  They are heavy and absolutely useless except that they are a battery pack only.  
  • Amazon sells lightweight solar panels for hiking & camping that easily attach to your packpack.  You can plug any separate battery to this panel.  I can send you link to the one I bought if you like.
  • https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017GQ7OEA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• TSA travel locks for your bags
• Water filter or chlorine tabs
  • Water will be gathered from mountain spring-fed springs that are very clean.  As a precaution, the cooking crew will also boil the water, but you may bring a personal filter if want to be extra safe.
• Flip flops or slides
• Leg gaiters
  • This is a personal preference.  If we were climbing during rainy season, I would say they are recommended but…it’s not likely that they will be needed.  However, it does help keep dust out of your boots, so I personally would recommend lightweight ones for Kilimanjaro. 
  • Now if you’re hiking in Colorado in the snow, buy a pair of heavier leg gaiters.  Snow is always possible, so if you want to have extra protection from getting snow or dust in your boots, bring them.
• Lightweight sleeping pants
  • Cotton is great since most nights it isn’t freezing temps, you may actually get sweaty at night if you wear fleece or wool pants.
  • However, wool base layer pants to sleep in at base camp would be helpful since it gets below freezing.

Things NOT necessary to bring:

• Sleeping pad (one will be provided), but if you need extra padding, feel free to bring your own for extra comfort, but you won’t need it to protect you from the cold ground.  The sleeping pads provided are ample for that purpose.
• Spikes or Crampons
• Snow baskets for your trekking poles.
• Ice picks
• Rock climbing gear
• Toilet paper (the porters provide plenty!)

Follow Alice has a great packing video guide. https://youtu.be/XPKGf7MPWzk

Small things I wish I had brought!

• Book to read
• Flip flops
• Saline gel for sinus
• Melatonin
• Aloe vera gel for sunburns
• Playing cards
• $20-30

Pictured above, our Namelok ladies group celebrate the opening of a clean water well along with the community around St. Norbert’s Primary School. This well will serve to provide clean drinking water to primary school students and the surrounding community. Because of the capacity of the well along with the rehabilitation of a massive water tank on site, this well will be a source for irrigation, providing the school the ability to grow crops to feed the children at school.

While the public schools receive some government funding to provide food to these children, it typically lasts for about a fourth of the year. When food supplies run out, the school staff must resort to sending the children home for lunch. Most of children opt to stay at school, knowing the trip home will be fruitless, they choose to stay at school and conserve their energy.

We will be updating you as the irrigation construction and farming begins. In the meantime, providing water to these children during the day as well as allowing them to carry water home is just another incentive for them to come to school!

One of the exciting aspects of this project was discovering that the massive water storage tank built in the 1940s during the colonial farming era where sisal plantations once flourished, was actually viable with some rehabilitation. The rehabilitation cost as much as it would have originally cost to purchase a water storage tank, one that would have been plastic, so it would have lasted about five years with a capacity of about a tenth of what this concrete storage container can! It’s also incredibly exciting for us when we get to see the use and rehab of local resources that were once colonial-era now be used to serve children and local communities, and it looks much more attractive!

Another aspect of this story is the redemption of a well-intended project gone bad. About five years ago another organization drilled a well on the primary school site. It provided clean water for a couple years to the school and community. Unfortunately it was not drilled properly, so it began to collapse and ceased to provide any water. This was not only an unfortunate waste of resources but it was became a serious danger to the students because they could easily fall into the well.

The drilling and construction of this well included the filling in and securing the safety of this hazard. Foothold also made sure that the construction of the well was done according to guidelines to insure that it would be safe and secure for the workers drilling it and have structural integrity to last for generations.

One of the reasons Foothold chose this particular school is because of our long-standing relationship. We have been working with this school for over seven years working with them on sexual abuse prevention, reproductive health, providing soap and hygiene education. We’ve been impressed over the years how this school has strived to reach the Maasai community as this particular community has the historically had the lowest rates of school attendance. We have observed each initiative has increased overall enrollment, attendance, and test scores especially among the Maasai. Every one of these interventions makes sending their children to school more appealing to them. These trends quickly become contagious as the school earns the trust of respected families among the Maasai people.

Prior to this, the dry seasons were very difficult for families, especially women and children, who often travel up to 8 miles per day to fetch water. Instead these women and children are coming to their local public school, opening opportunities for families to become familiar with the staff, to see children enjoying their education, etc. This just creates more positive interactions among the community and the school.

This project was funded through a special peer-to-peer fundraising campaign called Kilimanjaro4Water. Cherie Catron climbed Kilimanjaro in the fall of 2021 along with Chelsey Bolles and Kalyn McGraw. All three of these women paid for their travel and climb expenses and used the climb as an opportunity to create awareness and raise funds. Along with these three women, over 25 people and businesses sponsored them through peer fundraising campaigns.

Cherie Catron will be climbing Kilimanjaro in September of 2022 along with her husband Brad Catron and their son, David Masters. If you are interested in climbing with them and/or hosting a peer campaign to help Foothold provide more clean water, contact Cherie at [email protected]. You can also follow her story on social media under the hastag #kilimanjaro4water.