Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya information
“We passed the night without disturbance, and rose with the sun. Mount Kenya’s peaks glittered superbly in the sky.” – Halford John Mackinder in his diary, August 26, 1899.
In 1997, UNESCO declared Mount Kenya a World Heritage Site and called it “one of the most impressive landscapes in Eastern Africa with its rugged glacier-clad summits, Afro-alpine moorlands and diverse forests that illustrate outstanding ecological processes”. Since 1978, it is also an International Biosphere Reserve. Mount Kenya, an extinct volcano that last erupted between 2.8 to 3.2 million years ago, was made into a National Park in 1949 and a National Reserve in 2000. It is managed by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
In the 2800 sq km National Park and National Reserve, there are over 800 recorded plant species. There is also a wide variety of wildlife such as elephants, buffalo, elands, bushbucks, waterbucks, zebras, hyenas, colobus monkeys, white-throated guenons, etc. The animals that are more rarely seen include leopards, bongos, giant forest hogs and rhinos.
The elevation range is approximately 2200 metres to 5200 metres and there are several distinct vegetation zones: mixed broad-leaf forests, gallery forests, bamboo areas, giant heaths and hagenias, moorland tussock grasses, giant senecio and lobelia plant zones, and at the highest elevation, rock and ice.
The peak area is formed from the hard core of the volcano. The crater has been eroded for a while, and it rises steeply about 450 m above the glaciers and scree slopes. There is excellent rock and ice climbing that can be done at the twin summit peaks of Batian (5199 m) and Nelion (5188 m). The third highest peak is Pt. Lenana (4985 m), which can be reached by any fit walker that is suitably equipped.
Remember that Lenana is the same altitude as or higher than many Himalayan passes, and that altitude sickness can be a problem. Even on the shortest route to Point Lenana, you should allow 3 days at the very least to allow you to acclimatise on the way up. This will let you enjoy the trek even more, and it improves your chances of success.
Despite its size, it is possible to gain altitude rapidly on Mt. Kenya and overzealous climbers have the risk of high altitude sickness. Mt. Kenya is responsible for a large proportion of the world’s high altitude pulmonary oedema cases (a potentially fatal form of high altitude sickness). This can be prevented (and the experience can be made more enjoyable) if a sensible and slow approach is made.
Also, because Mount Kenya is so close to the equator, the night can fall surprisingly fast, only about half an hour after the sun has set.
Mount Kenya, like most other mountains, can be a very dangerous place. Many people are injured and even killed each year. Do not attempt to climb the mountain if you suffer from any health problems, or if you do not have the appropriate gear.
KWS regulations require all visitors to register upon entrance to the mountain and sign out on departure. Hiking alone is prohibited. No fires are allowed. Take all litter out with you.
Although Mount Kenya can be climbed all year round, the highest rainfall occurs between late March and the middle of May, and there is slightly less rain between late October and mid-December.
Lying on the equator, Mount Kenya is affected by the passage of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, which brings many rainy periods.
The most rainfall occurs in the forests and on the south-east side of the mountain, where it reaches 2500mm. Precipitation decreases with the altitude and it goes down to about 700mm. Rain and 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 the rainfall, if there is any, tends to come in the mid-afternoon.
Temperatures vary considerably depending on the altitude and time of day. On the plains surrounding Mount Kenya, the average daytime temperature is about 25°C. At 3000m, frost can be encountered at night, whilst the daytime temperatures range from 5 to 15°C. The 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. This time is better for rock climbing since the snow and ice gradually deteriorates. In the June to October period, the north-facing and south-facing sides are best for climbs.
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints!
Sirimon Route
This route provides the easiest and most scenic access to the northern side of the central peaks, which include Batia, Nelion, and Lenana. The trail is 15 km away from Nanyuki. This route has a lot of advantages that make it more favorable and comfortable.
It lies on the northwestern side of Mt. Kenya, and it generally escapes some rainfall, making it drier than other routes at most times of the year. There are two permanent camps, the Old Moses at 3300 m, and Shipton’s Camp at 4200 m. From the Mackinder Valley, where Shipton’s Camp is, you’ll a panoramic view of all of the main peaks, including Terere and Sendeyo. The water is plentiful and you can always refill your bottles. You’ll also have a chance to cross the equator- both at Nanyuki and while you’re on your way 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, which is about 96km from Embu and 64km from Meru. It is known for being the most beautiful route on the mountain. Ernest Carr, who made a vehicle track to the moorland, opened it in the 1920s. It is, however, a much longer route compared to the others.
Camping is possible along the way, and water is available from a stream. The Mintos Hut (4300m) is an excellent hut on the plateau that overlooks Lake Michaelson. You can see some spectacular views at the Nithi George by walking ten minutes south-east of the Mintos Hut to the edge of the “temple.” The trail takes you to the Austria Hut (4790m) by going through the square tarn and the Tooth Col, and then around the head of the Hobley Valley. Alternatively, you can go to Shipton’s Camp (4200m) via Simba Col.
Naru Moru Route
This route to the Teleki Valley is the shortest way to get to the peaks. It is the most densely populated, with most hikers liking how the shortest way up and the most obvious trail. There is a steep marshy section known as the vertical bog one hour away from the Met Station. This section is terrible but you’ll get through it in two hours. Three to four hours away from the Met Station, the path reaches the crest of the ridge that is overlooking Teleki Valley (4000m)
The path goes along the right-hand side of the Teleki Valley, staying high before gradually descending to the Naro Moru stream and to Mackinder’s Camp (4200m). Hiking from the Met Station to Mackinder’s Camp takes about 5-6 hours. The Austrian Hut can be reached in 4 hours, and it’ll take you another 45 mins if you want to see point Lenana (4985m)
Burguret Route
The route starts from the Mountain Rock Hotel and goes through the forest, past Gathiuru Forest Station, and takes you to an indistinct road head at the end of the plantation area at 2500m. The trail continues from here to the Elephant Camp 2600m. The trail takes you through tropical rainforests and then to the more open hagenia –hypericum zone at 2860m. Eventually, you’ll get to the heath zone, from where you can clearly see the peaks. Further on, there is a good campsite called ‘campi ya farasi’, where you’ll pitch up your tent for the night.
From ‘campi ya farasi’, the trail goes steeply out of the valley. The ridge goes right again, and walking over some rocky ground will bring you around the hill. The trail then goes to the left via the Hausberg Col and the Oblong Tarn to Mackinder’s Valley, and descends down to Shipton’s Camp (4200m).
Mount Kenya Summit Circuit of the Main Peaks
Starting from Shipton’s Camp, you’ll ascend directly to the Kami Hut, follow the sandy scree to Hausberg Col, and go down to Oblong and Hausberg Tarn for a short rest.
After your rest, the path takes you between the two tarns to reach the foot of a scree slope that goes up to reach a col that has Nanyuki tarn at its base.
The path then goes left and downwards from the col, passes below Arthur’s Seat, goes towards Nanyuki Tarn, passes to the left of it to get to a short rocky section, and then goees through a small col to reach the Hut Tarn, before turning right to reach the Two Tarn Hut (4490m).
From here, the path continues along the right side of the tarn, climbs a bolder to reach the scree overlooking Teleki Valley, and then drops through a steep scree slope to take you to Mackinder Camp (4200m).
From Mackinder’s Camp, you’ll go northwards and follow a clearly cairned path around the head of a valley. You’ll cross a boulder scree and a large buttress, and then go steeply upwards to reach Tooth Col. From this col, it is possible for you to see down into the Georges Valley and Hall Tarns.
The path then drops down to a square tarn, continues towards the Simba Tarn, and eventually takes you to Shipton’s Camp. The time that it takes to complete the circuit is eleven hours. It is advised that you split the trip into two by spending a night at Mackinder’s Camp on the Teleki Valley (4200m).
You’ll stay on trails where possible. This protects the surrounding vegetation and prevents soil erosion.
If you are hiking where there aren’t any trails, you’ll spread the impact (do not hike in a single file) so that you don’t create new trails. When taking breaks, you’ll choose areas that will not show as much sign that people have been there, such as rocks or bare ground. Sitting on vegetation leads to its destruction.