The ultimate
wilderness experience. Though an old track, this route is rarely used by
conventional trekkers but is quite popular with those seeking a genuine
African jungle adventure experience. It meanders through dense forest
cover and luxuriant bamboo vegetation as you head towards the peaks.
Day 1
Transfer from Nairobi to Mountain Rock Lodge on the western slopes of Mt
Kenya. Options for horse riding and forest natural history walk in the
afternoon.
Day 2
Short drive to Gathiuru forest station and a 4-5 hours ascent through
dense stands of towering bamboo to Giant Bamboo camp (2600m).
Day 3
Gradual 5-6 hours hike through the bamboo and dense forest up to the
moorlands zone We spend the night close to the sheer lava cliffs of the
“Highland Castle” at 3,700m.
Day 4
Spectacular scenery as the jagged volcanic peaks and shimmering glaciers
tower above our trek around the summit circuit. Turquoise tarns nestle
in the valleys, eagles and buzzards soar overhead - it’s difficult to
believe we’re on the equator! We might, for the first time, meet other
trekkers here as we hike for 5-6 hours to overnight at American Camp at
4,300m.
Day 5
Predawn start for the summit attempt. Up steep screes and a bare rocky
track to reach Austrian Hut. It’s an exhilarating 30 minutes from here
to reach the hikers summit, Pt Lenana at 4,985m in time for sunrise.
Then 2-3 hours descent to Hall Tarns (4,300m) for breakfast. Gentle
hike down a broad ridge enjoying magnificent views back up the valley to
the snowy peaks, and down to waterfalls, tarns and lava flows in the
Gorges Valley itself. Overnight in the Meru Mt. Kenya cabins - log
fires, hot showers, beds.
Day 6
Three hours walk down through the bamboo forest to meet our vehicles for
the return journey to Nairobi, arriving in the late afternoon.
What you need to know: You carry only a small bag with your
personal effects while your back pack, sleeping bags, clothes, food and kitchen gear are
carried by porters. The group is guided by an experienced Mt. Kenya guide. Nights are
spent in huts on the mountain and in small tents with foam mattresses in the foothills.
Besides your normal effects, you are advised to bring a medium sized back pack, sleeping
bag, warm clothes, good hiking shoes, nylon rain suit, a pair of sunglasses and sun block.
What is included: Transport from Nairobi to your hotel and park
gate, hotel on your first and last night, all food starting with evening
meal on the first day and ending with breakfast on the last day, services of
a mountain guide and porters, all hut fees, camping equipment,
acclimatization tour to the equator.
Mt Kenya Kit List
This list covers equipment and clothing
recommended for a Mt Kenya trek and safari. Your main bags will be
carried by vehicles or porters. At all times you will only be walking
with day-packs.
Day-pack
- large enough to carry spare clothes, waterproofs, camera, lunch,
drink, etc. Your main bag should be a large kit bag or ideally a
rucksack which is easier for porters to carry. This should weigh less
than 16 kg for the Mt Kenya section. A light kit-bag is useful for
storing any gear not needed on the mountain section.
Sleeping bag:
A good 4 season bag. Temperatures can be minus 10 C high on Mt Kenya. A
quality liner is useful for extra warmth, upgrading a 3 season to a 4
season bag. Full length zip useful for ventilation on warmer nights.
Sleeping mat:
e.g. Karrimat or Thermarest non-slip.
Water bottle:
1 litre, (1.5 litre if you need to drink a lot) Purifying tablets or
iodine - juice drink powders to disguise the taste.
Torch:
Spare bulbs, batteries. Head torch useful but not essential. Small spare
torch.
Walking pole/s:
Highly recommended by some, awkward for others - try one out first.
Camera:
Plenty of film. Spare camera batteries and cleaning kit, dust proof
camera bag.
The following list of clothing is
provided as a guideline only. But your clothing should allow you the
flexibility to cope with the range of weather conditions you may
encounter on this trip.
Clothing:
underwear, light cotton/polycotton for general wear, and insulating
next-to-skin ("thermal") vest and long johns for the cold or wet days on
the trek. Socks suitable for walking and general wear. T-shirts, long
sleeved shirt, sweatshirt, trousers/skirt for general wear. Walking
shirt. Warm pullover/jersey, warm fleece or down jacket. Walking
trousers, skirt or breeches. Walking shorts. Track suit (for evenings in
camp, and as an extra layer when cold). Thick jacket (fleece,
fibre-pile, or pile and pertex mix). Waterproof and windproof
jacket/cagoule and over trousers. Walking boots - well broken in.
Thickish soled training shoes or light walking boots.
Sandals/flip-flops. Gaiters for keeping out stones, seeds, scratches
etc. Sunglasses, sun hat, (packable/collapsible), warm hat/balaclava,
warm gloves, scarf, neckerchief, swimming costume.
Other kit:
Towel, toilet kit, spare specs, personal first aid kit (e.g.sticking
plasters, lint, antiseptic cream, aspirins/paracetamol, antihistamine,
malaria pills and any special personal medication). Sun cream, insect
repellent, lip salve, wet wipes, sewing kit. Binoculars for bird/animal
spotting, plant, bird and wildlife guides. A wristwatch with an alarm
function is useful for early starts. Use strong plastic bags inside your
rucksack to keep out rain and dust.
Documents:
Passport, passport photocopy (main page only), travellers cheques,
insurance certificate, etc all in a secure money belt/pouch. Wallet for
day to day use. Diary, notebook.
If you have spare items of clothing,
boots, or kit you don’t use anymore, and some unused baggage allowance,
please bring them specifically to give to our local members of staff
(porters, guides, etc.) - they will be greatly appreciated. People often
overlook this item only to regret it when they’re out in Africa and
realise how useful their things would have been to the locals.
ABOUT
MOUNT KENYA
To the ancient Kikuyu and the Kamba
tribesmen the peaks of mount Kenya viewed from a distance resembled the
black and white plumage of the male ostrich.
These black and white patches on the
mountain are actually the rocks and the glaciers that form the peak area. It
was from this resemblance that the kikuyu named the mountain “kirinyaga”,
which translated means, the area of the Ostrich, similarly it was from this
same comparison that they named their god “Mwene Nyaga”, implying that
their god who to them stayed at the top on Mt Kenya, was the owner of the
Ostrich they imagined to be on the top.
The Kikuyu believe, “Mwene Nyaga” whom they also called “Ngai” lived
on top of Kirinyiga (Mt. Kenya). The Kikuyu held Mt. Kenya as a sacred
place, which they faced when praying, or offering sacrifices to “Mwene
Nyaga” (God).
The Kamba people have a slightly
different accent and pronounce “Kirinyaga
“ as “Kinyaa”. Being the first people to encounter the inquisitive
European explores when they sighted the majestic mountain, the European used
the Kamba version to name the mountain, and Mt.Kenya.The country was later
named after the mountain.
Mount Kenya is the highest mountain.
The twin summits Batian and Nelion require technical climbing on rock or
ice, while mountain hikers reach Point Lenana, the third highest peak
standing at 4985m, quite easily.
The valleys and ridges radiate out
from the main peaks, a pattern that has resulted from many centuries of
glacial erosion. Over the years discoverers have surveyed the most ideal and
passable areas on these ridges and valleys and came up with different routes
to connect to the summit circuit (the trail that circles all the major peaks
on the mountain).
FLORA AND FAUNA
The flora and fauna has adapted to
the environmental conditions of the equatorial mountain. The high rainfall
and mild temperatures characteristics of the lower slopes of the mountain
sustain luxurious growth of the forest. Similary plants of higher elevation
are and alpine zone adapted to exist under the harsh climatic regime of the
upper slopes.
The vegetation of mount Kenya
divides the mountain into distinctive zones or belts, which are similar from
all directions of the mountain, but vary in extent depending with the amount
of annual rainfall experienced in a particular area.
THE ZONES & BELTS OF THE
MOUNTAIN.
v
FORESTS: Between approximately 2100 –
2400 metres
v
BAMBO: Between approximately 2400- 2850
metres
v
HYGENIA – HYPERICUM ZONE: Also known as
the Rosewood Zone which is a high altitude rain forest between approximately
2850 – 3000 metres.
v
HEATH ZONE: Also known as Ericaceous zone
with giant heaths or bushes and tussock grass from above 3000 – 3300
metres.
v
THE ALPINE ZONE: Between about 3300 –
4350 metres is the home of many unique high altitude plants such as protea,
helichrysums, ostrich plum lobelia the giant lobelia, senecios, groundsel
and the very the expansive fields of tussock grass which is the main cover
of the Alpine Zone.
v
THENIVAL ZONE:
Above 4350 metres to the top of the mountain, the Zone of rock and
ice, vegetation is only present in the most sheltered situations and for the
most part, the slopes are of bare gravel and scree from which the glaciers
have only recently retreated.
FAUNA
FOREST, BAMBOO AND HAGENEA –
HYPERICUM ZONES BETWEEN 2100 – 3000 METRES.
This zone hosts a rich fauna. Among
the larger animals to be found are the cape buffaloes, bushbucks and the
elephants. The black rhinoceros is very rare and it is very restricted to
the North – Western sections of the mountain. Smaller animals include the
attractive sykes monkeys, the black and white Columbus Monkey, the
black-faced vervet, the black tipped or slender mongoose and few diurnal
mongooses can be seen during the day. Other animals include defassa
waterbuck and the Burch ells zebras seen in the lower part of the forest of
the Sirimon track. Leopards are sometimes spotted on the Sirimon and Naro
moru tracks. Birds are also plentiful. Among the larger birds of prey, the
following can be seen: the white-backed vultures, the crowned hawk, eagle,
the crested eagle, the mountain buzzard and augur buzzard with its beautiful
red tail. Some of the great birds of prey include: the great sparrow hawk
and the African goshawk.
The sunbird can be seen hovering
around the flowers.
HEATH AND ALPINE ZONES between
3000 – 4350 metres
The most notable animals seen on
this zone are: the spotted hyena, large spotted genet, black tipped mongoose
and porcupine. In the upper forest zone into the moorland is the black
backed jackals and hunting
dogs. Elephants, buffaloes, rhino and eland seem to migrate up the mountain
into the Alpine zone where leopards are permanent residents in the Alpine
valleys.
THE VARIOUS ROUTES TO CLIMB
MT.KENYA
All the routes to Mtkenya are aimed
at connecting the SUMMIT CIRCUIT ROUTE. There are three mainly commonly used
routes namely: The Sirimon, Naro moru, and The Chogoria route.
SIRIMON ROUTE
This route provides the easiest and
most scenic access to the Northern side of the central peaks, which include
BATIAN, NELION and LENANA. The track is 15 km from Nanyuki town heading
towards Meru. This routes has a lot of advantages that makes it more
favorable and comfortable.
v
It lies on the northwestern side of Mt.
Kenya, and generally escapes some rainfall, making it drier than other
routes most time of the year.
v
There are two permanent camps, the Old
Moses at 3300 m and Shipton’s camp 4200 m (overlooking the main peaks)
v
From the Mackinder valley, where the
Shipton camp stands, you have the panoramic view of all the main peaks
including Terere and Sendeyo two ancient parasitic vents of the main peaks.
v
Water is plentiful and you can always
refill your bottles
v
You also have a chance to cross the Equator
both at Nanyuki and on your to Old Moses Camp.
CHOGORIA ROUTE.
This route provides access to the
peaks, from the eastern side of the mountain. The route begins from chogoria
town; about 96km from Embu and64km from Meru.It is regarded as being the
most beautiful route to the mountain. Ernest Carr, who made a vehicle track
to the moorland, opened it in 1920s. It is however, a much longer route,
compared to the others.
Camping is possible at the road head
and water is available from a stream that passes by. Mintos Hut (4300m) is
an excellently sited hut on the plateau overlooking Lake Michaelson 300m
below. Spectacular views can be sighted at the Nithi George, by walking ten
minutes south-east of the Mintos hut to the edge
of the “Temple.” From Hall Tarn the trail continues to the
Austria Hut (4790m) via square Tarn and the Tooth Col, then round the head
of the Hobley Valley. Alternatively Shipton’s Camp (4200m) may be reached
(3 hours), via Simba Col. Drop down towards lower Simba Tarn and turn left
to Shipton’s Camp.
BURGURET ROUTE
The route starts from Mountain Rock
Hotel, and goes through the forest past Gathiuru Forest Station to an
indistinct road head at the end of the plantation area – 2500m. The trail
continues from here to elephant camp 2600m. The trail cuts through tropical
rainforest till it gets to the more open Hagenia –Hypericum Zone 2860m and
eventually to the Heath Zone from where you can now clearly see the peaks.
Further on after the castle there is a good campsite ‘kampi ya farasi’
on which we pitch up our tents for the night.
From ‘kampi ya farasi’, the
trail swings left and climbs steeply out of the valley. The ridge bears
right again, and a walk over rocky ground brings you round the hill. The
trail then swings to the left via the Hausberg Col and Oblong Tarn to
Mackinder’s valley and descends down to Shipton’s Camp (4200m).
NARO MORU ROUTE
This route to the Teleki Valley and
is the shortest way to the peaks. It is the most densely populated with
hikers owing to the fact that is the shortest way up, and most obvious
trail. A steep marshy section known as the Vertical bog, is reached one hour
from Met Station, this section is terrible and is covered in two hours.
After three to four hours from Met Station the path reaches the crest of the
ridge overlooking Teleki Valley (4000m)
The path contours along the right
hand side of the Teleki Valley, keeping high and then gradually descending
to pass Naro Moru stream to Mackinder’s Camp (4200m). From Met Station to
Mackinder’s camp is app 5-6 hours of hiking. The Austrian hut can be
reached in a further 4 hours walk and another 45 min you see point Lenana
(4985m)
SUMMIT CIRCUIT OF THE MAN PEAKS
– ANTI-CLOCKWISE
Beginning from Shipton’s Camp you
ascend directly to Kami Hut, follow the sandy scree to Hausberg Col and drop
steeply to Oblong and Hausberg Tarn for a short rest.
After your rest the path leads
straight on between the two tarn’s to reach the foot of a scree slope that
climbs steeply up a to reach a col with Nanyuki tarn as its base.
The path trends left and downwards
from the col passing below Arthurs seat, trends to reach Nanyuki Tarn,
passes to the left of the tarn, to climb a short rocky section, then cross a
small col to reach Hut Tarn, turning right to reach Two Tarn Hut (4490m)
From here the path continues along
the right side of the tarn, climbs a bolder to reach a scree overlooking
Teleki Valley then drops through a steep scree slope to reach Mackinder camp
(4200m).
From Mackinder’s trend northwards
to meet a path coming from American Camp, the path to Austrian Hut can be
seen snaking up the large scree slope on the opposite side of the valley,
follow this clearly cairned path around the head of a valley. Cross a
boulder scree and a large buttress, trend steeply upwards to reach Tooth
Col, from this col it is possible to see down into Georges Valley and Hall
Tarns.
The path then drops down
to square Tarn, continues to
follow cairns trending left and down towards Simba Tarn, drop steeply down
towards the lower Simba Tarn
the cut across the to the shiptons camp. Hiking time to complete the circuit
is eleven hours. It is advisable to split the trip into two by spending a
night a t the Mackinder’s camp on the Teleki Valley (4200m).
SUMMIT CIRCUIT OF THE PEAKS
CLOCKWISE.
From Shipton’s camp 4200m-aim
cast, around the left side of a rocky bluff 100m, to meet the path to lower
Simba Tarn. From the south-eastern end of the Tarn ain south0east and trend
leftwards to skirt around a rocky buttress on its left side then aim
straight up towards Simba col.
From Simba col, drop a short scree
slope, which is passed on its side, and continue to trend right and
gradually upwards across boulders to cross another ridge and drop to square
tarn.
A zig-zag path can be seen climbing
the scree-slope directly towards the summit of point Lenana. Follow this
path to reach Harris Tarn pass to the right across steep rocky ground,
maintain height where possible to reach point Lenana on the right.
From point lenana drop down,
trending left via Lewis Glaciers to Austrian hut. Trend down towards the
head of Teleki Valley. The path is clear as it drops down the scree, to
reach level vegetation ground at the head of the valley. Keep trending right
to reach the American camp, from this camp the path climbs steeply up the
right side of a scree slope. At the top of this ridge is Hut Tarn and Two
Tarn, aim now northwards out from the shoulder of point pigott. Follow the
path on the left down to Nanyuki tarn then below and to the left of the
cliffs of the Eastern terminal.
Drop slightly, across wide rock
ledges, then trend up and left round the base of the cliffs of Arthurs seat
to reach the col between Arthurs seat and the Western terminal.
From the col, Hausberg tarn and
Oblong Tarn are visible at the head of Hausberg Valley. Drop down the scree
to the valley and across easy ground to pass the tarns.
The path is zigzag up a sandy scree
to reach Hausberg Col. From this point the head of the Mackinder valley can
be seen, descend directly down the steep scree to Shipton’s camp. Hiking
time to complete this circuit in a day is 11 hours. Spending a night at the
Mackider’s Camp on the Teleki Valley can split the trip.
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