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i) GENERAL
INFORMATION
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Mt Kenya is the highest
mountain in Kenya and the second highest
in Africa after Kilimanjaro. Mt Kenya is a
broad volcanic cone whose base is around
120 km in diameter.
The mountain was formed
by volcanic eruption during the Great Rift
Valley creation and geologists believe that
it was over 1500m higher than its present
height of 5199m (17,057ft). At this stage it
would have had a summit crater, however
intensive erosion has worn away the original
upper parts of the cone leaving arętes,
pyramidal peaks, U-shaped valleys and rock
basins containing glacial lakes. The peaks
of Batian (5199m) and Nelion (5188m) are the
remains of a huge volcanic plug that has
slowly eroded to create the distinctive
silhouette.
Only 16 kms south of the
Equator, the peaks are permanently
iced with snow and glaciers. However, in
the last 20 years, the glaciers have been
retreating and it is estimated that if the
present trend continues there may be no
permanent ice left on the mountain. Since
records were established in 1893, eight of
the eighteen glaciers then recorded have
disappeared.
On the lower slopes
below 4000m, trekkers encounter a variety of
alpine vegetation ranging from rain forest,
bamboo, hagena and hypericum woodland, giant
heather, tussock, and the fascinating giant
lobelia. The forests are rich in wildlife
and elephant, buffalo, zebra, antelope and
monkeys are often seen. Bird life everywhere
is plentiful and varied.
Mt Kenya (or Kirinyaga)
was revered by the Gikuyu who settled
in the Central Highlands and believed their
god, Ngai, lived on top of the mountain. The
first European to lay eyes on the mountain
was Ludwig Krapf, a Swiss missionary in
1849, but his stories of snow on the Equator
were ridiculed by the Geographic Society in
England. It was only in 1883 when a Scottish
explorer, Joseph Thomson, confirmed its
existence that Krapf’s findings were
accepted. Other explorers followed and
several attempts to scale the mountain were
made. In 1899, Halford MacKinder and two
Alpine guides made the first successful
ascent of the mountain and named the two
highest peaks after Maasai leaders.
Mt Kenya is unexpectedly
different, attracting trekkers and
mountaineers from all over the world. The
mountains unique landscape and vegetation
have been declared as International
Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Its range of
walking and climbing routes offers something
for everyone and, unless your time is
limited, is too good to miss.
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ii) MOUNT KENYA
CLIMBING SEASON:
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The mountain can be
climbed all year round but for a more
comfortable trek it is best to avoid the
rainy seasons. The best times for
reasonable weather are January – February
and August – October. It should be noted
that the weather patterns on Mt Kenya are
notoriously unpredictable, and even during
‘dry’ seasons rain can fall and the
weather can be unpleasant for two or three
days at a time. The highest peaks, Bation
and Nelion, can only be reached by fully
equipped mountaineers with technical
skills. The goal for most trekkers is to
reach Pt. Lenana (4985m), the third
highest peak on the mountain, where superb
views of the surrounding countryside are
possible.
Special Note:
Mt Kenya is not easy
climb. People who underestimate this
mountain and set off unprepared for the
conditions usually have a miserable time due
to the cold and altitude. Trekkers who do
not spend enough time acclimatizing will
often suffer from some form of altitude
sickness, and this is one of the main
reasons why over 25% of attempts fail. By
allowing an extra day on the mountain you
stand a better chance of reaching Pt Lenana,
and have a more enjoyable climb.
iii) MOUNT KENYA
CLIMBING ROUTES:
There are three main
routes up to the peaks area – Naro Moru,
Sirimon, and Chogoria.
Naro
Moru Route:
The most popular and fastest route to Pt
Lenana. It is the least scenic of the main
routes but has easy access from the main
road and reasonable facilities in the form
of bunkhouses and camping. Being the most
direct route it is easy to follow but can be
steep and boggy in places.
Sirimon Route:
The least used of the main routes of ascent.
Because it is on the drier side of the
mountain, this route offers superb forest
walking, open scenery with wonderful alpine
vegetation, and the chance of spotting
wildlife on the lower slopes.
Chogoria Route:
This route is the longest but also the most
beautiful and spectacular way by which to
ascend the mountain. Wonderful views for
most of the climb, particularly in the upper
sections with its glacial lakes, giant
groundsel, lobelia and weird volcanic
formations inhabited by rock hyrax.
These routes can be
combined to traverse the mountain by going
up one side and down the other, the most
popular being the Sirimon – Chogoria route.
For most routes, a minimum 3-4 days should
be allowed from the road heads or 5-6 days
if departing from Nairobi. If you plan on
trekking around the peaks, allow an extra 1
or 2 days to really enjoy the mountain.
Climb rates included:
Return
transport from Nairobi, Park entry fees,
Camping/Hut fees, Meals, Guide/Porters
Not
Included:
Personal climbing gear, drinking water,
items of a personal nature, tips. |
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