Mount Kenya - Technical Climbing
Trip Summary:
The tour takes you to climb Mount Kenya; this is an African challenging mountain. Although good health, fitness and experience is required but the mountain team with professional and qualified guide and porters will help you to make it. You will enjoy the trekking it self, landscape and high altitude on your way thru various points of views as per itinerary.
You will enjoy and experience nature, wildlife, habit and habitat of the fauna and flora in the natural areas, also peoples and culture. Availability 90%
Minimum Rate Per Adult: US$
Departing From: Nairobi
Duration: 8 Days /Mount Kenya technical climbing
Departure Time: 0830 Hrs (possible to leave earlier than)
Departures: Daily
Minimum Persons Required: 2
Best Time: All round the year
Trip Itinerary:
Mount Kenya /
Technical Climbing / Sirimon / Naro Moru ( 8 Days) -
TECHNICAL CLIMBING
(Additional Information)
Technical climbing is meant for those with vast experience in
climbing and not just normal hikes. It is so adventurous and yet very
intricate
Day 1
After breakfast, depart from Nairobi and have an overnight stay in
Nanyuki town. Dinner and overnight provided. You have time to
acclimatize
Day 2
After breakfast, leave Nanyuki for the park gate to start climbing to
the first hut, Old Moses 3,300m
Day 3
Have a long walk (5-7hrs) to the second hut Shiptons (4,200m)
acclimatization purposes.
Day 4
Hike through Simba Col via the tooth to overnight at Austrian Hut
(4700m). Please note this base camp is only used when climbing through
the normal route.
Day 5
A free acclimatization day at Austrian Hut. You can attempt point Lenana.
(4985m)
Day 6/7
Attempt points Nelion and Batian. (5195m) Early rise and start are
recommended. Descend to Meteorological station for overnight on the 7th
night.
Day 8
Descend further to the park gate for your transfer to Nairobi.
Prices Include:
* Transport to and from the mountain.
* Services of an experienced English speaking mountain guide, cook and
porters.
* All hut fees.
* Three meals a day while on safari whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian
prepared by our safari cook.
* Entrance fees
Mt.Kenya technical climbing standard
North face to Batian via Chogoria route
Season is from Early July through to the end of October. (Poor weather
possible at start and end of seasons).
Day 1. We collect you from your hotel at about 0800. It's then about
31/2 hours from Nairobi to where we collect the porters and guides (as
required). Into the Mt. Kenya forest for the 22 km drive to the Park
Gate at 2,850m. Dependent on road conditions, these 22 km have been
known to take all afternoon to do and in really wet conditions it is
possible that the top four or five km may be impassable. Night,
dependent on clients wishes, at the Meru Mt. Kenya Banda's or at
roadhead a further 7 km from the Park Gate
Day 2. After breakfast and sorting of porter loads we set off up the
mountain at a nice and easy pace . A slightly longer walk via Lake Ellis
gives scenic views of Mugi, Ithunguni and the Giants BilliardsTable,
whilst if we follow the river near roadhead, upstream for about 3 km,
the foreground scenery and flora is particularly beautiful. Lunch by the
stream banks then it's time to cut up the left hand hillside to our camp
at about 3,600m, well away from any of the more "tourist" areas
Day 3. From our campsite, we continue to move up through the
moorland zone. As this area of the mountain is still off the beaten
track, there are no paths to follow, and on each trip we vary the area
we walk across. After about an hour, traverse left and join a ridge
(slight path to follow) and join the normal Chogoria route to Minto's
Hut after about 4 hour walking. Lunch at a small stream crossing then 45
min on to a camp near Minto's Hut and next to one of the tarns. Very
short afternoons walk over to superb views across to "The Temple" and
down to Lake Michaelson.
Day 4. An early morning departure for the 2½ hour walk to the start
of the climbing route. Start climbing about 1100hrs with about 15
pitches to the foot of the Firmin Tower where it is usual to spend the
night in a comfortable bivouac. For full route description and topo -
see Map and Guide to Mt. Kenya
Day 5. Up early again, then on another 14 pitches to Batian where we
should reach before 1130. Photographs and hopefully a superb view before
heading off down the climb to arrive at Kami Hut by 1700,
Day 6. Off the mountain and return to Nairobi at your leisure.
Mt. Kenya technical climbing standard South-east face to Batian via
Chogoria route
Days 1. through 3 are as per the itinerary above
Day 4. An early morning departure for the 2½ hour walk to Austrian
Hut. Starts gently up the valley for about 2 km. It's then hard left and
steeple up for about 45 min (on scree slopes) to Upper Simba Tarn.
Another short scree slope leads to the to ridge ,right of "The Tooth"
before dropping down the other side for about 50m and then contouring
across to the Austrian Hut. Leave the hut before noon and cross the
Lewis Glacier to the large boulder and scree slope leading to the start
of the climb. Arrive Howell Hut on the summit of Nelion before 1700hrs.
For full route description and topo - see Map and Guide to Mt. Kenya
Day 5. Up early again, then (weather permitting), across Batian and
back to Nelion before heading off down the climb to arrive at Austrian
Hut by 1300, Minto's by 1500, and roadhead before 1800. Night at
roadhead / Meru Mt. Kenya Bandas.
Day 6. Return to Nairobi at your leisure.
Options available.
1. Days 2 and 3 can be combined if one follows the usual tourist path to
Minto's Hut area. Takes 5 - 6 hours . recommended only for the fit and
acclimatised climber.
2. On day 5 we are able to continue back to Nairobi that same day,
arriving back by about 2200 hrs.. some what beat!.
3 Should the weather be poor in the afternoon of day 4, it is possible
to overnight at Austrian Hut and do the whole climb on day 5, again with
or without the option of over nighting at Howell Hut. Return to Nairobi
either day 6 or on the 7th day. Please note additional cost.
Mount Kenya Natural History
Mount Kenya is Africa’s second highest mountain at 5,199m (17,058 feet)
and the highest of all Kenya Mountains. Mount Kenya is roughly circular,
about 60km across at the 200mm contour, where the steep font hills rise
out of the gentler slopes of the centered highlands. At the centre of
the massif, the main peaks rise sharply from around 4,500m to the main
summit of Batian 5,199m, Nelion 5,188m and point Lenana 4,985m. Other
major summits on the mountain include Point Piggott 4,957m, Point Dutton
4,885 and Point John 4,883m. Of the three main peaks (Batian, Lenana and
Nelion), only point Lenana can be reached by trekkers and the other two
being only for technical climbers.
Mount Kenya is the second highest peak in Africa and stands somewhat
unjustly in the shadow of it's taller neighbour Kilimanjaro, which lies
some 320km away in the south and is visible on a clear day. Kili may see
much more traffic - due to the possibility of summitting via several
non-technical trekking routes and due to the sometimes dubious honour of
being one of the Seven Summits - but Mount Kenya offers a wealth of
excellent and diverse climbing possibilities on rock, snow and ice.
The rock on Mount Kenya can be of variable quality but is at it's best
high on the mountain where the syenite rock is similar to granite -
rough, hard and well endowed with features.
Apart from the superb climbing potential on Mount Kenya, its tarns and
alpine meadows; exotic, equatorial, high-altitude vegetation; sunbirds,
hyrax and soaring eagles make the walk around the peaks one of the most
beautiful expeditions in the East African mountains.
After the cultivated farmlands on the lower slopes the trails pass
through the rain forest, rich in trees of many species but noticeably
camphors, then onto a bamboo zone growing to heights of more than 12m or
more up through open moor land before reaching the moonscape of higher
slopes. The forests are rich in wildlife including elephant, buffalo and
monkeys with even the moor lands offering a long list of mammals
including the rock hyrax, the nearest living relative of the elephant.
Mt. Kenya is an ancient volcanic mountain much older than Mt.
Kilimanjaro. It’s believed to have once reached well above 600m. What is
left today is volcanic plug which erosion has fashioned into the complex
jagged outline of the central peaks.
Getting to Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya is approximately 200km north of Nairobi, the capital of
Kenya, and is comfortably accessible by road using a variety of
transport options - buses, mini buses, taxi cab or a car hire will get
you close to the mountain on the tarred roads to the nearest town:
Naromoru town for Naro Moru route, Nanyuki town for Sirimon route and
Chogoria town for Chogoria route. Mt Kenya Hiking, Mount Kenya Climbing,
Mount Kenya Trekking, Climbing Africa Mountains, Climbing Mt Kenya,
Walking on Mount Kenya, Mount Kenya Trekking Route, Naro Moru Route,
Nanyuki, Sirimon Route on Mount Kenya, Shiptons Camp,
The last stretch from the nearest town to the various trailheads
(typically +/- 25km) will be on dirt roads and these can be in poor
condition (especially in wet weather) and require a 4WD, or an approach
on foot.
When to Trek Mount Kenya
Although, Mount Kenya can be climbed all year round, the highest
rainfall occurs between late March and the middle of May, and slightly
less between late October and mid December. Maximum rainfall occurs in
the forest belt and on the south-east side of the mountain where it
reaches 2500mm. per year at 3000m. Rain and, higher up, snow can however
be encountered at any time of year - even in the driest periods (January
and February). Normally the drier seasons are associated with clear, dry
weather which can last for many days on end. The best weather is
generally in the mornings, and convectional rainfall, if any, tends to
come in the mid-afternoon.
Temperatures vary considerably with height and with time of day. At
3000m. frosts can be encountered at night while day temperatures range
from 5 to 15°C. Night time temperatures on the summit are well below
freezing. The south-facing side of Mount Kenya receives more sunshine in
the December to March period. During this time rock climbs are
"in-condition" and snow and ice climbs gradually deteriorate. In the
June to October period the north-facing rock climbs and south-facing ice
climbs are best.
It's safest to climb Mt. Kenya during the dry seasons: January -
February and August to September off the most reliably fine weather. The
main routes are likely to be more crowded at this time of the year. If
you favor complete solitude over the sunny skies, try going slightly off
the peak season. It’s best to avoid the two rainy seasons from mid March
until June and from late October to the end of December.
Mount Kenya Vegetation
Mount Kenya is home to some fascinating high-altitude alpine vegetation
including giant groundsels and lobelias.
In the lower-altitude forest zone trekkers may come across some rather
large and uncompromising African wildlife such as elephants and buffalo
- fortunately these are mostly active only at night. Lions, leopard,
rock hyrax, various antelope species and a wide range of other creatures
large and small occur in the park.
Mount Kenya Forest Vegetation And Coverage In Percentage:
Bamboo - 10%
Bamboo and Forest Mix - 23%
Forest - 32%
Bushy Forest - 11%
Grassland - 8.5%
Plantation - 9%
Other - 6.5%
Mount Kenya climbing Routes/Itineraries
There are three main routes, which penetrate the forest and the
moorland. The routes are Naromoru route, Sirimon route and Chogoria
route and each of which has something different to offer.
Climbing Mount Kenya Naromoru route - The fastest route to point Lenana
but not as scenic as the other two. It is often overcrowded with many
climbers since it's the most popular route compared to Chogoria route
and Sirimon route.
Mount Kenya Climbing Chogoria route - The most scenic and interesting of
the three main routes on the mountain.
The route passes the enchanting Hall Tarns and looks down sheer cliffs
into the spectacular Gorges Valley and onto the beautiful Lake
Michaelson.
Climbing Mount Kenya Sirimon route - The least used of the three main
routes, but features the most gradual ascent profile and best
acclimatisation options and above all the most interesting since its on
the drier side on the mountain. The route passes through impressive
Yellowwood forests in the lower reaches and features abundant wildlife
and beautiful alpine scenery higher up.
There are other four routes up Point Lenana but are least known and
used. These are: Burguret Route, Timau Route, Meru Route and Kamweti
Route
Note: The normal pattern of weather on Mount Kenya is for clear mornings
with mist closing in from 10:00am although this can clear by evening.
Therefore, early morning starts are the order of the day with a 2am
start for the final ascent to point Lenana, if you want to catch the
sunrise.
