Mount Kenya Climbing: MOUNT KENYA

Thursday, January 15, 2009

MOUNT KENYA

Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya with its own snow and ice capped rocks peaks standing high above beautiful agricultural country. There are three main peaks on Mt. Kenya. We offer an itinerary to Pt Lenana (4,985m) which, while a hard climb, can be achieved by a reasonably fit person. Other treks up the mountain include technical climbs that cover the ice and rock faces offering a suitable challenge to the professional mountain climber.

One of the most popular routes up the mountain is the Naro moru route while the most scenic include the Sirimon Route and the Chogoria Route. Combining the two routes gives us both a scenic climb and a worthy challenge with long treks and some hikes that are on the tough side. Full catering will be provided each day and a list of climbers’ equipment will be advised at the time of reservation.The scenery of forest moorland and glaciers is spectacular on this mountain. As you trek you may meet with colobus monkey, the hog and other mountain wildlife. This walk takes you up the mountain via the Sirimon route which is one of the most spectacular with unforgettable scenes of the diverse vegetation. You will also touch ice and snow on the equator!Technical climbs on Mt Kenya

Weather

Mt Kenya can and is climbed at all times of the year. If possible however, it is best to avoid the two rainy seasons that may start in mid March and last through till mid June, the long rains, and from the late October through till end of November, the short rains. The driest times on the mountain are usually January till mid March and again July through mid October. Below are some of the routes that take you upto the snow covered peaks of Mount Kenya: -

6 DAYS MOUNT KENYA CLIMBING NAROMORU OUT CHOGORIA

Day 1. Nairobi/Mt Kenya

Depart Nairobi in the morning arriving Naromoru in time for lunch. After lunch you proceed to Mt Kenya Naromoru Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 2. Met Station

After breakfast, proceed to Naromoru Park Gate and start hiking to Met Station (3300m). The hiking takes about 3 hrs. Dinner and overnight.

Day 3. Mackinders Camp

Depart Met Station after breakfast and proceed to Teleki Valley arriving Mackinders Camp (4300m) early evening. Picnic lunch enroute. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4. Austrian Camp

Depart at 10:00 am after breakfast ascending along a steep screw to Austrian Hut (4700m). Covering this distance takes about 3 hrs. Dinner and overnight.

Day 5. Point Lenana-Chogoria

Departing at 5:30 am, proceed through Lewis Glacier to Point Lenana(4985m) arriving approx. 6:30 am in the morning. After the sunrise, descend down to Mintos Hut for full breakfast. Later descend along the famous Gorges Valley to Chogoria campsite. Dinner and overnight.

Day 6. Chogoria- Nairobi

After breakfast, set on morning journey to chogoria (32km).4WD vehicles are provided but during the bad weather, climbers have to walk some distance as vehicles may not reach the bandas. From Chogoria transport is provided back to Nairobi, arriving late afternoon.

Hiking on Mount Kenya

The scenery of forest moorland and glaciers is spectacular on this mountain. As you trek you may meet with colobus monkey, the hog and other mountain wildlife. This walk takes you up the mountain via the Sirimon route which is one of the most spectacular with unforgettable scenes of the diverse vegetation. You will also touch ice and snow on the equator!Technical climbs on Mt Kenya

Day 1: Nanyuki

In the morning we leave Nairobi driving north accompanied by our mountain guide. After a drive of two and a half-hours we arrive in Nanyuki where we spend the night in one of the lodges at the foot of Mt. Kenya.

Day 2: Sirimon track

A short drive in the morning will take us to the Sirimon track. We start our trek. We walk to Old Moses Camp (5 hours walk). Overnight at old Moses Camp (3,400m).

Day 3: Mackinders Valley

Our hike takes us via Mackinder's Valley to Shipton's Camp (5 hours walk). Night at Shipton's Camp (4,200m).

Day 4: Point Lenana

Early in the morning we climb Point Lenana (4,985m) .On a very clear day we should be able to see Mt.Kilimanjaro in the South. From the top we walk down to the Meteorological Station (6-7 hours walk). Night at the bandas at the Met. Station.

Day 5: Nairobi

After a morning walk we drive back to Nairobi where we arrive late afternoon

5 DAYS MOUNT KENYA CLIMBING SIRIMON OUT CHOGORIA

Sirimon route out Chogoria(5 Days/4 nights)

Day 1. Nairobi/Nanyuki

Depart Nairobi mid morning for Nanyuki arriving in time for lunch. The afternoon is spent in this area for acclimatization. Dinner and overnight in a budget hotel.

Day 2. Old Moses Camp

After breakfast, drive to Sirimon Park Gate. After chek-in start hiking through the Rain Forest for 9 km to Old Moses camp (3300m). Dinner and overnight.

Day 3. Shipton Camp

Depart Old Moses Camp at 7:30 am via Mackinders Valley to Shipton Camp (4200m). The distance takes 6 to 7 hrs. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4.Point Lenana- Chogoria

Early morning departure (3:00 am) to the summit, a walk that takes 3 hrs to point Lenana (4985m) arriving at 6:30 in the morning. After sunrise, descend to Mintos Hut for full breakfast and later proceed down through the Gorges valley to Chogoria Bandas and campsite. Dinner and overnight.

Day 5. Chogoria/Nairobi

After breakfast, set on morning journey to Chogoria (32km). 4WD vehicles are provided but during bad weather, climbers may have to walk some disance as vehicles may not reach the Bandas. From Chogoria transport is provided back to Nairobi, arriving late afternoon.

For more information kindly contact us at: info@beaverlinesafaris.comor visit our website at:http://www.beaverlinesafaris.com/kenya/hikingonmtkenya.htm#siri http://www.beaverlinesafaris.com/kenya/mtkenyahiking.htm#sicho

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MOUNT KILIMANJARO CLIMB

Any physically fit person can climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.. No climbing experience is necessary to get you to the top of Africa's highest mountain 5,895M (19,340FT) with its magnificent gleaming glaciers, Flora and Fauna.

Weather
Mt. Kilimanjaro can be climbed any time of the year but there are two rainy seasons - late March to mid June and November. The best months are December, January to March and July to October usually dry and minimum clouds.

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8 DAYS MT. KILIMANJARO- MARANGU ROUTE
Day 1: Arrival - Arusha
Travel from Nairobi to Arusha on board a Shuttle bus or pickup from Kilimanjaro Airport – transfer to a hotel for an overnight stay

Day 2: Marangu Gate (1980m) - Mandara hut (2700m)
Hiking time: 5 hours Distance: About 12 km's Habitat: Montane forest
The drive from Moshi to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park office and make their final preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen arranging and loading their packs, containing the food, water, cooking gas as well as most of your equipment. Make sure that you have all your daypack items (containing at least drinking water, your lunch pack and extra clothing) with you as the porters ascend a lot quicker than the hikers. Our guides will be available to assist with any additional information or needs you might have. You now leave the Park gate and ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest. The forest, suffused with mist and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro's animals are found. (An alternative and more scenic parallel forest trail, branches off to the left a few minutes after the gate. This trail follows the edge of a stream through the undergrowth and offers you the option to rejoin the main trail either, after 1½ hours hiking, or 1 hour before Mandara hut.)
Your first night stop, Mandara hut, is a group of wooden A-framed huts in a forest clearing. Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks with solar generated lighting. The total capacity of the camp is 60 climbers. Water is piped into the camp from springs above and there are flush toilets behind the main hut.

Day 3: Mandara hut (2700m) - Horombo hut (3720m)
Hiking time: 6 hours Distance: About 15 km's Habitat: Moorland
From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition from rain forest to moorland. It is well worth a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun. Once you are in the open moorland you will get the chance to see some of Kilimanjaro's most spectacular plants - the endemic giant lobelia which grows up to 3 m in height and the giant groundsel (Senecia Kilimanjari), which can reach heights of 5m! After about 6 hours from here you reach the Horombo hut, where you will have hot washing water, rest; an evening meal and overnight.

Day 4: Horombo hut (3720m) - Acclimatisation day
Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers! Normally bustling with hikers, guides, porters and with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. You will meet both ascending and descending hikers here. This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatisation. A hike towards the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1.5 hours down), is strongly recommended. This hike will further assist with the process of acclimatisation. Remember to drink enough water and move slowly! All meals for the day are provided at the hut. Retire to bed early and get a last good night's rest.

Day 5: Horombo hut (3720m) - Kibo hut (4700m)
Hiking time: 6 hours Distance: About 15 km's Habitat: Alpine desert
After breakfast you now continue your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. From Horombo there are two trails to the "Saddle" (which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo). There is an upper route (right hand fork) and lower route (left hand fork) to choose from. The upper route (right hand fork) will be very familiar, as you will have climbed most of it the previous day towards Mawenzi hut. It is very stony and eroded.
The recommended lower route (left hand fork) is much easier and nearly an hour and it also passes the last watering point at 4130m. You will have to fill your water bottles with all the water you will need until your return to Horombo hut in two night's time (unless you are willing to buy Mineral water at Kibo hut). Once again remember to slow down and drink enough water!! Situated in the barren Alpine desert is Horombo hut, a stone build block house which has bunk beds for 60 climbers, but no streams with water nearby. It is however possible to buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office.
There are platform toilets behind the hut. The summit is now a further 1195m up and you will make your final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski-stick and thermal clothing for your summit bid. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get as much rest and sleep as possible.

Day 6: SUMMIT ATTEMPT, Kibo hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo hut (3720m)
Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru - 6 hours to descend to Horombo Distance: 6 km's ascent - 21 km's descent Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman's point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. Probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.
From Gillman’s Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction - you made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest you gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day.

Day 7: Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 6 hours Distance: About 27 km's
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman's Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Arusha for a long over due hot shower, dinner and celebrations!! Overnight at a budget hotel.

Day 8: Departure
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back home or continue with your safari schedule/travel back to Nairobi on board a shuttle bus.

MACHAME ROUTE 8 DAYS MT. KILIMAJARO
Trekking duration: 6 Days ; Total hiking distance: About 100 km on the most scenic Mount Kilimanjaro trek

Day 1: Arrival - Arusha
Travel from Nairobi to Arusha on board a Shuttle bus or pickup from Kilimanjaro Airport – transfer to a hotel for an overnight stay

Day 2: Machame Gate (1490m) - Machame camp (2980m
Hiking time: 7 hours Distance: About 18 km's Habitat: Montane forest
Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and a 45-minute drive from Moshi (910m) to the Machame village (1490m). The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment in the village. You will receive a lunch pack and you can also buy mineral water in the village. Depending on the condition of the road, it is possible to drive from the village to the Machame gate, but if not, the muddy 3 km walk will take about 1 hour to complete. After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent and enter the rain forest almost immediately. There is a strong possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy and slippery experience. You will have a welcome lunch stop about half way and will reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon.
Your porters (arriving at the camp site long before you) will have erected your tent on your arrival. In the evening the porters will boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner, before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at this campsite

Day 3: Machame camp (2980m) - Shira camp (3840m)
Hiking time: 6 hours Distance: About 9 km's Habitat: Moorland
You rise early at Machame camp and after breakfast you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. By now you will be able to see in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike you will reach the Shira campsite at 3 840m. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing,
Day 4: Shira (3840m) - Lava Tower (4630m)-Barranco camp (3950m)
Hiking time: 7 hours Distance: About 15 km's Habitat: Semi desert
The route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4630m). Definitely, the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After lunch you descent again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatisation benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner,

Day 5: Barranco camp (3950m) - Barafu camp (4550m)
Hiking time: 7 hours Distance: About 13 km's Habitat: Alpine desert
After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out easier than what you anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so, you reach Barafu Hut.
The last water stop on the route is the Karranga Valley, as there is no water at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for "ice" and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep,

Day 6: SUMMIT ATTEMPT, Barafu camp (4550m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3100m)
Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak 7/8 hours to descend to Mweka Distance: About 7 km's ascent - 23 km's descent Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life. The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut (3100m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared
Day 7: Mweka camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 3 hours Distance: About 15 km's Habitat: Forest
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3-hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate. At Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village you will be served a delicious hot lunch!! You now drive back to Arusha for a long over due hot shower, dinner and celebrations!! Overnight at a hotel
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back home or continue with your safari schedule/travel back to Nairobi,

For more Details kindly visit :http://www.beaverlinesafaris.com/tanzania/climbingmtkilimanjaro.htm
or contact us at : info@beaverlinesafaris.com

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Thursday, January 15, 2009

MOUNT KENYA

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MOUNT KILIMANJARO CLIMB