Kenya - MT. Kenya

This four-day mountain trek takes you to the top of Mount Kenya's third highest peak, Point Lenana. It is the highest peak that you can reach without having to do any technical climbing, yet still stands at a lofty 16,800ft above sea level.

Basic Facts

Size: 580 sq kms
Province: Central /Eastern Kenya
District: Nyeri
Geographical Location: Mount Kenya straddles the equator, 193 kms northeast of Nairobi and 480 kms from the Kenya coast.
Altitude: 1,600m -5,199m
Vegetation: Rich alpine and sub-alpine flora with montane and bamboo forests, moorlands, and tundra. Between 3,800m and 4,500m many bizarre species flourish, notably giant rosette plants of which 13 species are endemic to Mount Kenya.
Fauna and wildlife: In the lower forest and bamboo zone there are giant forest hog, tree hyrax, white-tailed mongoose, elephant, black rhino, suni, duiker, and leopard. Moorland mammals include the Mount Kenya mouse shrew, hyrax, and duiker. At higher altitudes the endemic mole-rat is common and there have been rare sightings of the golden cat.
Special Features: Several mountain peaks with isolated glaciers. The highest peaks are Batian, 5,199m, and Nelion, 5,188m. There are about 20 glacial tarns (small lakes) and numerous glacial moraine features.
Visitor Facilities: One lodge, several climbing huts, and three campsites. Mount Kenya is the country's highest mountain. Straddling the equator, it's icy summit reaches to 5,199 m. The National Park consists of all areas above 3,200 m. The mountain actually consists of three distinct zones: the volcanic peak zone, with its endless glaciers and snowfields; the alpine zone, with its distinctive giant vegetation such as groundsels; and the lower slopes, with their thick forest and bamboo vegetation. Mount Kenya has always attracted curious hikers and adventurers, including the turn of the century British geographer/explorer Halford Mackinder. To most modern day adventurers, climbing to the peak of Mount Kenya is still a challenge requiring extensive mountain climbing skills. Nevertheless, most visitors are able to reach the more accessible Point Lenana at 4,985 m and many visitors enjoy simple high altitude walks.

Wildlife below the Park boundary includes elephant, buffalo, antelope, lion and the rare bongo, also found in the nearby Aberdares. Most wildlife can be viewed from Mountain Lodge on the south side of the mountain. The best times for visiting Mount Kenya and the National Park are January and February and late August through September.

Expedition Cost Options

1. £900 charity fundraiser for the Mad Foundation (£500 for the Mad Foundation, £300 overseas cost, £100 Trekventurer)
2. £200 if you are already on a Madventurer East Africa project.

The Trek

Day One

We ascend via the Sirimon route. The trip starts by driving up to the forest gate, approximately 13km from the main road. Here you enter Mt Kenya National Park. From the park gate the route follows a winding track through the great Mt Kenya forest that has been an international Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. In the 715 square kilometres of park there are 81 plant species endemic to Mt Kenya, as well as a wide variety of wildlife. This is a leisurely walk of approximately 3 to 4 hours and gives everyone a chance to get used to the changing altitude, their packs and their boots! The night is spent at Old Moses camp where basic accommodation in huts is provided. There is running water, pit latrines and bunk beds with mattresses.

Day Two

It is advisable to make an early start (6:30.am). It is about a 6-hour walk from Old Moses to Shipton's Camp, which is the camp for night two. The track passes from approximately 10,000ft to 14,000ft at this point and so we recommend that you walk slowly and steadily. The route largely follows Mackinder's valley from where some spectacular views of Mt Kenya's two highest peaks can be seen (Nelion and Batian). Shipton's Camp is similar to Old Moses, providing basic accommodation with the necessary facilities.

Day Three

It is tradition on the mountain to arrive on the summit of Lenana for dawn, which means leaving Shipton's camp at around 3.00am. It is approximately a 3-hour walk to the summit and is without doubt the steepest section of the trek, climbing the steep moraines, which lead to the top. A cold but spectacular and breath taking experience awaits those who make it to the summit for sunrise. We then descend down the Naro Moru route stopping for breakfast at Mackinder's Camp. Continuing on down the mountain we pass through more vegetation zones including the infamous 'vertical bog'. We spend the third night about two hours walk from the park gate at the Met Station camp.

Day Four

Today only involves a leisurely 2hr stroll out of the Park Gate to meet the transport to take you back to Nanyuki for an afternoon next to the pool.

For more information on all our treks and projects please contact team@madventurer.com or call 0845 121 1996

Useful information and Extras

Hazards do exist on the mountain. They include:

• Animals such as buffalo and elephant in the forest zone.
• Exposure - warm days can turn very cold very quickly.
• Dehydration - Very common at altitude where people don't realise how much water they are losing.
• Altitude Sickness - Very common on the mountain at high altitude and during periods of dry weather.

Equipment - Here is a brief list of things you will need for the trek:

• A sleeping bag with at least a 3 season rating. If you do not have a 3 season bag, or more, then you should bring plenty of thermal clothing to where at night.
• A good pair of comfortable walking boots which are reasonably stiff or other shoes which have plenty of ankle support.
• A waterproof jacket (waterproof trousers are advisable)
• A small/medium sized rucksack for personal effects. (porters will carry larger more bulky items up to a maximum of 18kg per porter).
• A spare set of warm clothes
• Water bottle
• Torch
• Warm headgear
• Gloves
• Items necessary to protect you from the sun.
• Plate, mug, knife, fork and spoon.
• First aid kit (including water purification tablets)