Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya Climbing,Trekking & Hiking Adventures
Mount Kenya Legend Story.
The Story behind Mount Kenya with the Kikuyu people (Tribe) who surround and live within the parameters of the Mountain
Gĩkũyũ (also called Kikuyu) or Agikuyu ~ Kikuyu people
Batian and Nelion in the background cropped. Several ethnic groups that live around Mount Kenya believe the mountain is sacred. They used to build their houses facing the mountain, with the doors on the side nearest to it.
The Gĩkũyũ people live on the southern and western sides of the mountain. They are agriculturalists and make use of the highly fertile volcanic soil on the lower slopes. The Gĩkũyũ people believe that God, ''Ngai'' or ''Mwene Nyaga'', lived on Mount Kenya when he came down from the sky.
They believe that the mountain is Ngai's throne on earth. It is the place where Gĩkũyũ, the father of the tribe, used to meet with God. Thus according to the Kikuyu records, Gĩkũyũ is the first person on Earth to ascend the mountain. 'Mwene Nyaga' in Gikuyu language can also translate as the "Owner of Snow" where 'Mwene' translates to 'owner', and 'Nyaga' to snow.'Nyaga' can also translate to 'Ostrich'.
Kikuyus used to build their houses with the doors facing the mountain. The Gĩkũyũ name for Mount Kenya is ''Kĩrĩ Nyaga'' (Kirinyaga), which literally translates to 'God's Resting Place' or 'Where God Lives' in this case referring to Mwene Nyaga.
Mountain Kenya It may not be the highest Mountain but it’s one of the best in Adventure trekking, hiking and climbing Mountains in Africa with Biodiversity, Beauty and best breathtaking scenic views of the sunrise and its magical effect ever to be found on another Mountain in Africa. It offers the most spectacular site to view awesome sunrise and views of the Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the Kenya coast and Mt Elgon at Point Lenana!
Why Climb Mount Kenya?
Mount Kenya is the second highest Mountain in Africa where you touch ice and snow on the equator offering you splendid high elevation to a great scenery of natural wonders with a perfect backdrop for great herds of plains game bringing you Africa at its most primal and pure nature of this sacred mountain that straddles through the equator but above all the challenge to fulfil a commitment.
Mount Kenya Climb
Mt. Kenya is a dome-shaped central volcano. It is the largest mountain in Kenya. Ten glaciers cover the volcano’s peaks. The original crater on Mt. Kenya was over 20,000 ft. (6100 m) high but has been heavily eroded. Most of this erosion occurred during two periods when glaciers carved much of the top of the volcano. These periods wore down the ring-like plug forming the top of Mt Kenya. In fact, almost 35% of the volcano has been worn away.
Climbing Mt Kenya is a spectacular walk up the beautifulSirimon valley away from the main tourist route on Mount Kenya. The trek passes through a diverse range of vegetation and climate zones, from dense forest to tropical cactus plants to snow covered peaks within a relatively short distance. No technical climbing is necessary to reach Point Lenana, the "walking summit" at 16,400 ft. Descending to the base we will relax in a lodge before returning to Nairobi.
Mount Kenya Overview
Mount Kenya is Africa’s second highest mountain after Kilimanjaro. This extinct volcano is estimated to be 2.5 million years old. Time has taken its toll on the former, reducing the peak from 6500m to 5199 m today, while nature’s untiring eroding agents long ago eroded the crater.
Mount Kenya is located about 200km north of Nairobi within the Mount Kenya National park. The park protected
area of 3200m above sea level was established in 1949 and covers an area of 715 sq. km. The mountain comprises three main zones: - the rocky peak zone, the afro-alpine moorland with its scattering of giant vegetation and the extensive tower slope covered with mountain forest and a bamboo there are over 81plant species. Any fit and the prepared person can reach point Lenana, the so-called trekker’s peak; the summit has the twin peaks of 5199m Batian and Nelion and is considered more technically challenging than the higher Mt Kilimanjaro at 5894m.
Climb Mount Kenya by Choosing between Sirimon-Chogoria and Naro Moru Routes.
The mountain consists of three peaks
The National park comprises the mountain above the 320m [10,500ft] contour plus two salient astride the Naro Moru and the Sirimon routes.
Mount Kenya, at an altitude of 5199 [17058ft] is the country's highest mountain, has its higher slope permanently covered in snow and ice, even though it sits astride the equator.
Mount Kenya National Park.the Batian [the highest] Nelion and Lenana. Of these peaks, the original hard center core is all that remains; the bulk of the volcano has been eroded away with time.
Highlights of Mount Kenya
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Guide to climbing Mount Kenya
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Fitness, Altitude and Safety on Mount Kenya
Climbing Mount Kenya is very accessible and therein lies the problem. With a decent level of fitness, it is easy to gain altitude quickly and find yourself the on the night before summiting with a throbbing headache and all the symptoms of acute mountain sickness. Trekking with a good experienced guide, taking a sensible easy pace and keeping hydrated makes all the difference. The best approach is always to allow extra time for your ascent, an extra day at Shipton’s Camp takes all the pressure of the itinerary and gives you time to enjoy the fabulous trekking around the peak. Generally speaking, it isn’t necessary to undergo a grueling fitness regime prior to attempting Mount Kenya, anyone who is trek fit, and is comfortable walking 6-8 hour days should be fine
Guides, Porters, and Cooks
The trekking crew will usually consist of a guide, cook, porter for the cooking gear plus a personal porter per trekker. It has been said before, but a good experienced guide is so important on Mount Kenya, for two reasons; (1) they will regulate your pace, be able to draw on their experience to diagnose altitude sickness symptoms and have the confidence to make critical decisions and (2) their knowledge of the wildlife and fauna on the mountain will bring the environment alive. All guides and porters must be registered with Kenya Wildlife Services and hold a mountain guide park from Mt Kenya National Park. It is fair to say that all the guides will have a good knowledge of the routes, but only the good guides will have wildlife knowledge and experience of dealing with altitude sickness problems
Weather and When to Go Hiking?
Mount Kenya is a snow-capped Mountain temperature do vary.
Well first things first, although Mount Kenya is on the equator, at an altitude of 4,000m it gets freezing at night! You need to be prepared for overnight temperatures well below freezing (a good three/four season sleeping bag is a must). Minus 10 or even minus 20 degrees C are not unheard of at Point Lenana. Otherwise expect plenty of hot overhead sun and rain if you are trekking during the short or long rains.
Kenya has two rainy seasons, the long rains from mid-March to mid-June and the short rains from September to October. Mount Kenya remains trekkable throughout the year, but during the long rains especially, you will need to be prepared for some heavy rainfalls and muddy tracks. The good news is that even in the depth of the long rains, there is usually reliable sunshine for a good portion of the day in the mid-morning and afternoon (10am – 3pm). Outside the rainy season, you can expect plenty of sunshine
How to get to Mount Kenya
From Nairobi to Mount Kenya is around a 3 and half hours drive. There are well-tarmacked roads all the way to the towns of Naromoru and Nanyuki or Chogoria to the east all at the foot of the mountain, but the last stretch of the road up to the park gates is a rough dirt road that can get almost impassable in the rainy season when a 4wd is essential.
How to organize a trekking trip to Mount Kenya
It is best to make your trekking expedition a great experience through YHA Kenya travel with a team of expert experienced guides with extensive high altitude experience. Each year trekkers die on Mount Kenya attempting to get to Point Lenana, it is easy to get lost in the cloud cover! If you do want to attempt the trek independently you’ll need to get yourself to the park gates by Mutatu and taxis. The park authorities do not allow trekkers to enter the park alone, so there will need to be two or more. You’ll need to be prepared to bring all your own gear and provisions. Also climbing gear is available for hire.
The biggest challenge you will find is navigation on the mountain. Paths are not clearly marked and cloud cover is common. If you don’t want to hire camping equipment, then there are huts all the way on the Sirimon route. Organize your trek with a reputable safari organization.
Book a trekking package; if you are short on time, this is the best option. YHA-Kenya Travel pre-arranges trekking trips for Mount Kenya and this includes transport to and from Nairobi. At the cheaper end, this will involve your guide meeting you in Nairobi and traveling with you on a public minibus (matatu) to the mountain. This saves a lot of money but be prepared for delays and extra costs once you get to the mountain if it is raining as you’ll be forced to sort out a 4wd to get to the park gates. If you pay a little more than your trek will include a transfer in a private vehicle from Nairobi. Your trek crew and equipment will be ready and waiting for you and you at the mountain and you can head straight up.
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Mount Kenya climbing routes.
and it is also the most popular route preferred by many onto the mountain, it is commonly used by many hikers and fastest Naro Moru Route
The Naro Moru route is the easiest, schools, scout groups, tour companies and private guides and potters leading clients up to Point Lenana.
It is not particularly scenic and the rapid ascent profile makes it unsuitable for climbers wishing to acclimatize more gradually and sensibly.
The Naro Moru route also features the steep quagmire of wet moorland that is extremely taxing and unpleasant after rains.
The final climb up to the Austrian Hut tackles a long, loose and uncompromising scree slope up to the side of the Teleki Valley.
Basically, you don't want to do this route unless you're in a hurry to bag Point Lenana on a quick 3-day program.
Descending via the Naro Moru route is fine, though.
The Sirimon Route.
The Sirimon route is the least used by mountain climbers of the three main routes, but it features the most gradual ascent profile and best for acclimatization options.
The route passes through very impressive Yellowwood forests in the lower reaches and features abundant wildlife and beautiful alpine scenery higher up.
The Austrian Hut and Point Lenana are reached from the head of Mackinder's Valley via Simba Col.
The Chogoria Route
Climbing from the Chogoria route is said to be the most scenic and interesting of the three main routes on the mountain.
The route passes the enchanting Hall Tarns and looks down sheer cliffs into the spectacular Gorges Valley and onto the beautiful Lake Michaelson.
The Austrian Hut is reached via Tooth Col at the head of the valley.
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Mountain Adventures, Mount Kenya Climbing /Trekking Itineraries
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Climbing Mount Kenya, YHA Kenya Travel Mountain Adventures.
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