What To Pack For Your Mount Rinjani Climb

Before climbing Mount Rinjani, I read several blogs and heard from my friend who had done it before that it would be very tough. I knew it would test me physically, but I was hoping that it would not be dangerous, like Mount Agung in Bali. You can read about my Mount Agung experience by clicking here.

For Agung, we also started climbing in the dark so that we would make it to the summit in time for sunrise. However, the Agung climb was really treacherous at parts, as we had to get on all fours on the steep rock face, and cross some really big gaps, where a slip would really mean the end.

Having gone through it, I am pleased to say that Mount Rinjani is tough, but not dangerous like Mount Agung. However, in order to have a safe and comfortable climb, you still need to be prepared in terms of your physical state and equipment. I can’t help you for your physical state, but I can share some information regarding the equipment.

For your 3D2N or 4D3N climb, it is important to pack as light as possible. Based on my personal experience, I have created a list of items below to help you prepare for your trip to Mount Rinjani. Besides simply providing a list, I have also explained why I think the item is important and how I used it during my climb. You can then see if it makes sense for you, and decide whether to bring it along. I am by no means a professional, but I’m just sharing what I thought was useful for me, and hopefully, it will be useful for you too!

I have divided the list into three parts –

1. Absolutely Essential – These are the bare minimum items; you CANNOT not have these
2. Essential – These will greatly enhance your safety and comfort mainly during the climb. You are highly encouraged to have these items but it is possible to survive without them.
3. Good-To-Have – These will enhance your comfort mainly at camp, but it is possible to survive without these items.

Now, let’s get packing and conquer Mount Rinjani safely and comfortably!

ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL

1. Long hiking pants (1 pair)
Even though the weather may be hot and you will be tempted to wear shorts or bermudas (knee-length pants), it is better to wear long pants for hiking because the weather can change quite quickly and it can get cold when the fog rolls in or if it rains. You will also be walking past vegetated areas. Your long pants will protect you from scrapes, slips or falls (and trust me, you will slip).

A good option is hiking pants with detachable leg sleeves, where you can remove the bottom half of the pants to turn it into shorts. You can easily get these from Decathlon and they don’t cost a lot. For 3D2N, you can survive on one pair (wear the same pair throughout the 3 days). For 4D3N, I think just one pair is also enough. Remember, pack light.

2. Quick-dry T-shirts (x3)
You will be sweating quite a lot because the climb will be strenuous. Wear quick-dry or Dri-Fit T-shirts like those from Uniqlo or sports brands. Wear/bring three T-shirts for 3D2N (one for each day); an additional one for 4D3N. If you don’t sweat a lot, or if you’re looking for the bare minimum, bring one less.

3. Thermal inner layers (1 top, 1 bottom)
Uniqlo’s Heat Tech range of thermal wear is great because they are thin and light. Bring one pair of long bottoms and one long-sleeved top. You can wear them to sleep for the first night and continue to wear them for the summit climb the next morning.

For the summit climb, you will want to wear layers that can be removed easily because it will get hot and cold at different sections and times. Before sunrise, it will get hot during the tough section with vegetation cover and loose gravel. But once you emerge from the trees for the second half of ascent, there is nothing to block you from the wind and you will be moving slowly, so you’ll need to stay warm. And on the way down after summiting, the sun will be out and it will get warm. You will most likely have to remove or put on layers multiple times during the climb.

For my climb, I wore a Uniqlo Heat Tech long-sleeved top, a Uniqlo quick-dry T-shirt and a waterproof jacket for my upper body. For the lower half, I wore a Uniqlo Heat Tech long bottoms and long hiking pants. A down jacket is not really necessary for summiting, unless the conditions are not so good (e.g. very windy, or raining). Climb as light as possible.

4. Hiking shoes (1 pair)
A good pair of hiking shoes, or boots, is very important. I originally wanted to wear my North Face hiking boots for this trip, but having not worn it for a few years (because of Covid-19), the sole appeared to be coming apart so I decided not to risk it, and wore my Asics trail running shoes instead. However, the soles of my Asics weren’t very grippy either, and I ended up slipping a few times during the climb. Our fellow Singaporeans wore sports shoes and they really struggled during the climb. Thus, it is important to wear a comfortable pair of hiking footwear with good soles/grip, especially for Rinjani’s terrain of loose gravel.

5. Socks (3 pairs)
You’ll want to wear thicker socks to protect your toes because while going down the mountain, your toes will constantly be hitting against the front of your shoe/boots. Good socks will also protect your feet against abrasion and blisters. For 3D2N, you should wear/bring three pairs of socks, but an extra pair will be good because coming down from the summit, your shoes and socks will be full of sand. I wore back one of my previous day’s socks but I think it will be better to have enough fresh socks.

6. Trekking pole (x1)
Your guide and porters won’t be using trekking poles, but that doesn’t mean you should follow them, because the mountain is like home to them! For regular folks like us, a trekking pole is absolutely essential. When going up, you can use it as a support to heave yourself up. But it is more important for going down. A trekking pole can act as an extended arm to help you find your footing, and it will help you with your balance and support to prevent you from falling. Just one pole enough, so that you can use the other free hand to grab on to rocks or tree branches for stability. Two poles are cumbersome.

7. Head Torch (x1)
Absolutely essential because you will be starting your summit climb at around 2:30am and it will be pitch dark everywhere. You will also need the torch to find your way around camp at night (e.g. going to the loo). It has to be a head torch so that you can be hands-free.

Make sure the batteries are full. We encountered a guy whose battery died on him during the summit climb and he was struggling because had no light. Thankfully, JC had a spare light so he lent it to him.

8. Water bottle (x1)
Even though your guide will provide you with bottled mineral water during the climb, it is always better to have more water in case of emergencies. I recommend you bring along a 1-litre bottle. You don’t have to fill it to the brim because it will be heavy, but at least you have the capacity to store/carry more if you need it.

9. Backpack (x1)
For your 3D2N hike, you will probably need a 25 to 30-litre backpack to fit all your things comfortably. Anything more than 30-litres is too big and bulky. Bring one that is ergonomic because you will be carrying the bag for many hours a day, and your shoulders will definitely ache after the second day.

ESSENTIAL

1. Gloves (1 pair)
Besides keeping your hands warm, gloves are also useful for protecting your hands as you grab on to tree branches or rocks, or when you slip. Fleece gloves that are not too thick or thin will be ideal.

2. Beanie hat (x1)
A beanie hat is important to keep your head warm, especially during the summit climb before sunrise, when it can get pretty cold, especially at areas where there is no vegetation to block the wind. Bring one that is made of fleece material, something not too bulky or heavy.

3. Waterproof jacket (x1)
Your guide will provide a disposable poncho if it rains, but you should still bring along a waterproof jacket, or at least a windproof jacket with a hood. It will be useful for the summit climb and when it rains. Bring one that is as light as possible.

4. Safari hat / cap (x1)
It will get sunny at some point during your climb. A safari hat is better than a cap because it will protect the back of your neck as well.

5. Energy bars (x5)
Your guide will provide snacks and water during rest breaks while climbing, but you should also bring some food on your own. You will be very tired and you’ll need to replenish your energy. Having your favourite snacks will give you a much-needed boost, but I suggest bringing energy bars, which are more compact. Bring around five energy bars for 3D2N; maybe another two more for 4D3N. It’s always good to have food with you in case of emergencies.

6. Tissue paper (4 packets) / small roll of toilet paper
With the amount of food and fruits your porters provide, you will most probably need to move your bowels at least once during your 3D2N/4D3N climb. There are no proper toilet facilities on the mountain and you will be doing your business in a toilet tent (essentially a hole dug in the ground) or in the bushes, so tissue paper/toilet paper will be essential.

7. Powerbank (x2)
There are no electrical points on the mountain so you’ll need to bring along powerbanks to charge your electrical devices. The number of powerbanks you need really depends on how many devices you have (mobile phone, Apple Watch etc). For 3D2N, you will probably need two powerbanks. Bring just enough because powerbanks are heavy. And of course, bring the charging cables too.

8. Rain cover for backpack (x1)
The weather on Rinjani can be quite unpredictable so it’s best to have a rain cover for your backpack in case it rains. The alternatives are to bring a waterproof backpack, or store your belongings in ziplock bags. You don’t want your clothes to get wet, which will make you really miserable.

9. Small backpack for summiting (x1)
For the summit climb, you should carry as light a load as possible. You should carry only the most important items with you in a smaller bag and leave your non-essential stuff at camp. We called this smaller bag our “Assault Bag”. A 10-litre bag should be enough to fit your water bottle, snack bars, waterproof jacket, beanie hat and other items that you will strip off once it gets hot after summiting.

GOOD-TO-HAVE

1. Down jacket (x1)
It can get pretty cold (below 10 degrees C) while you’re camping at the crater rim, especially if it’s windy. For sleeping, it was actually rather warm inside the tent and sleeping bag, so I didn’t need to wear my down jacket to sleep. If you have a high tolerance for cold, you may not need a down jacket, but is good to have a light, non-bulky one just to be safe. A standard one from Uniqlo should suffice. As mentioned earlier, a down jacket is not really necessary for summiting, unless the weather conditions are not so good.

2. Long fleece pants (1 pair)
This is my lounging/sleeping attire at the crater rim. After a tough day of climbing, you’ll be spending the rest of the afternoon and evening relaxing at the crater rim. It will get chilly approaching sunset so a pair of fleece pants will keep you warm and snug.

3. Flip flops (1 pair)
After a day of climbing, you’ll want to let your feet breathe a little. Flip flops are the best for getting around camp, and also for visiting the loo.

4. Sunglasses (1 pair)
When the sun is out, it can get very hot, so a pair of sunglasses will help to keep out the glare.

5. Bandana (x1)
When summiting, it is cold before the sun rises. From my experience, the wind chill caused my nose to be runny, which impeded my breathing and I had to blow my nose several times. A bandana can help keep your face warm, yet still allow you to breathe normally.

6. Sunscreen (x1)
It is always important to apply sunscreen if you are going to be under the sun for a few hours. During our hike, we saw many sunburnt faces. It was not a good look.

7. Lip balm (x1)
Besides protecting your skin, it is also important to protect your lips. For the duration of your hike, you will likely be drinking less water than you normally do, so it’s good to keep your lips moisturised.

8. First aid kit (x1)
It is always good practice to carry a small first aid kit on hiking trips. The kit should minimally contain some bandage, gauze, plasters, antiseptic lotion/cream (e.g. Betadine), medicated oil, Paracetemol and Poh Chai pills (to stop diarrhea).

9. Small light with hook (x1)
If possible, bring a small torchlight with a hook or a strap so you can attach it to the top of your tent’s interior. There is usually something at the highest part of your tent’s frame that you can attach a light to. Of course, you can use your head torch to get by, but having a small light at the top of the tent provides better illumination.

10. Wet wipes (2 packets)
You won’t be showering for at least two days, so the next best thing is to wipe down using wet wipes.

11. Hand sanitiser (1 small bottle)
Water is a precious resource (save it for drinking) so you won’t be washing your hands that frequently. Thus, it will be good to carry with you a small bottle of hand sanitiser for hygiene purposes.

12. Mouthwash (1 small bottle)
It is too troublesome to bring along a toothbrush and toothpaste and to brush your teeth, so a small bottle of Listerine mouthwash is a good substitute.

13. Plastic bags (x3)
You should bring all your trash down the mountain with you; don’t leave any trash behind. Your porters and guide will also be carrying all the trash with them but they already have very heavy loads, so please don’t add to their weight. A few extra plastic bags will come in handy for wet or soiled clothes/socks.