Mount Kenya Hiking,Climbing Mt Kenya,Africa Mountains ,Mt Kenya Trekking,Mt Kenya Excavation

Mount Kenya Climbing Hiking Trekking

About Mount Kenya

Mount Kenyai is the second tallest mountain in Africa after Kilimanjaro...Its one of the most sort after Mountain climbing mountain because of its proximity to the Central Highland with many diverse wild animals and tourist attractions.-

To the ancient Kikuyu and Kamba tribe members viewing Mount Kenya from a distance, the ricks and glaciers that form the peaks, resembled the black and white plumage of a male ostrich. The kikuyu named the mountain Kirinyaga that means the area of the ostrich. The Kamba people have a slightly different accent and pronounce Kirinyaga as Kiinyaa. As the Kamba were the first people the European explorers encountered, their version became the one used by and so became Mount Kenya. The country was later named after the mountain. Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second highest in Africa after Kilimanjaro. The twin summits Batian and Nelion requires technical climbing on rock or ice, while point Lenana, the third highest peak is easily ascended by any physically fit person

Facts About Mount Kenya

Mount Kenya, Africas second highest mountain at 5,199m (17,058 feet) and the highest of all Kenya Mountains, 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.

It is the second highest peak in Africa and stands some what 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. Kilimanjaro may see much more traffic - due to the possibility of summiting 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 Mt. Kenya is an ancient volcanic mountain much older than Mt. Kilimanjaro. Its 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.

What to see

While trekking the Mt. Kenya, you will pass through the cultivated farmlands on the lower slopes as 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. Sunbirds, hyrax and soaring eagles make the walk around the peaks one of the most beautiful expeditions in the East African mountains.

Mount Kenya from Nairobi
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. 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.

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. The other routes which are dormant are the Timau Route, Burguret Route, Meru Route and Kamweti Route

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.

Climbing Mount Kenya Naro Moru 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.

Detailed Mount Kenya Climbing

5 DAYS POPULAR NARO MORU HIKE

DAY 1: Leave Nairobi to Naro Moru arriving at Lunchtime. After lunch proceed to Naro Moru Park Gate and start hiking from this point to the Met. Station a distance of 9 km, which takes 3 hours. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 2: After breakfast continue ascent to Mackinders Camp for dinner and overnight.

DAY 3: Wake up at around 2.30 am and attempt Point Lenana via Austrian Hut. After Point Lenana at 4985m escend down to Mintos Hut for breakfast then continue further down to Mountain Bandas with picnic lunch en-route. Dinner and overnight at the Bandas.

DAY 4: After an early breakfast leave the mountain via the Bamboo forest to Chogoria village. After lunch take your transport back to Nairobi where the tour ends.

Mount Kenya Hiking - Timau Route - 7 Days

Day 1 Nairobi Timau North Mt. Kenya Morning departure from Nairobi and transported to the Timau road head where you will begin your trek up Mt. Kenya from the north. (Overnight in high altitude mountains tents - Timau road head).

Day 2 North Mt. Kenya - Western Marania River
Hiking across beautiful northern moorland of Mt. Kenya with its unique flora and possibly seeing some of the wildlife, which wander up those northern slopes - zebra, eland, etc. Camp near the Western Marania River.

Day 3 Marania River Camp Kathita East drainage
Continue your trek over rolling moorland country to camp at the headwaters of the Kathita East drainage.

Day 4 Kathita East drainage Hall Tarns Hike up to the spectacular Hall Tarns where the beautiful rock formation known as the Temple stands guard over Lake Michaelson 1000 vertical feet below.

Day 5 Hall Tarns Lake Michaelson Penetrate the defences of the Temple and descend to Lake Michaelson. Truly a trekkers paradise.

Day 6 Lake Michaelson Mackinders Camp An early start to ensure a successful summit bid for our main objective Pt. Lenana (16,355 ft.) Descend to Mackinders Camp on the Naro Moru Track.

Day 7 Mackinders Camp - Nairobi Descend the mountain via the Naro Moru Route completing a fine circuit. Connect transport back to Nairobi.

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