Season is from Early July through
to the end of October. (Poor weather
possible at start and end of seasons).
Day
1
We collect you from your hotel
at about 0800. It's then about
31/2 hours from Nairobi to where
we collect the porters and guides
(as required). Into the Mt. Kenya
forest for the 22 km drive to
the Park Gate at 2,850m. Dependent
on road conditions, these 22 km
have been known to take all afternoon
to do and in really wet conditions
it is possible that the top four
or five km may be impassable.
Night, dependent on clients wishes,
at the Meru Mt. Kenya Banda's
or at roadhead a further 7 km
from the Park Gate
Day
2
After breakfast and sorting of
porter loads we set off up the
mountain at a nice and easy pace
. A slightly longer walk via Lake
Ellis gives scenic views of Mugi,
Ithunguni and the Giants BilliardsTable,
whilst if we follow the river
near roadhead, upstream for about
3 km, the foreground scenery and
flora is particularly beautiful.
Lunch by the stream banks then
it's time to cut up the left hand
hillside to our camp at about
3,600m, well away from any of
the more "tourist" areas
Day
3
From our campsite, we continue
to move up through the moorland
zone. As this area of the mountain
is still off the beaten track,
there are no paths to follow,
and on each trip we vary the area
we walk across. After about an
hour, traverse left and join a
ridge (slight path to follow)
and join the normal Chogoria route
to Minto's Hut after about 4 hour
walking. Lunch at a small stream
crossing then 45 min on to a camp
near Minto's Hut and next to one
of the tarns. Very short afternoons
walk over to superb views across
to "The Temple" and down to Lake
Michaelson.
Day
4
An early morning departure for
the 2½ hour walk to the
start of the climbing route. Start
climbing about 1100hrs with about
15 pitches to the foot of the
Firmin Tower where it is usual
to spend the night in a comfortable
bivouac. For full route description
and topo - see Map and Guide to
Mt. Kenya
Day
5
Up early again, then on another
14 pitches to Batian where we
should reach before 1130. Photographs
and hopefully a superb view before
heading off down the climb to
arrive at Kami Hut by 1700,
Day
6
Off the mountain and return to
Nairobi at your leisure.
Mt.Kenya
technical climbing standard South-east
face to Batian via Chogoria route
Accomodation:
Tented Camps
Transportation:
Duration: 6 days
Departs: Alternate
Days
Price:
Days
1 to 3 are as
per the itinerary above
Day
4
An early morning departure for
the 2½ hour walk to Austrian
Hut. Starts gently up the valley
for about 2 km. It's then hard
left and steeple up for about
45 min (on scree slopes) to Upper
Simba Tarn. Another short scree
slope leads to the to ridge ,right
of "The Tooth" before dropping
down the other side for about
50m and then contouring across
to the Austrian Hut. Leave the
hut before noon and cross the
Lewis Glacier to the large boulder
and scree slope leading to the
start of the climb. Arrive Howell
Hut on the summit of Nelion before
1700hrs. For full route description
and topo - see Map and Guide to
Mt. Kenya
Day
5
Up early again, then (weather
permitting), across Batian and
back to Nelion before heading
off down the climb to arrive at
Austrian Hut by 1300, Minto's
by 1500, and roadhead before 1800.
Night at roadhead / Meru Mt. Kenya
Bandas.
Day
6 Return to Nairobi
at your leisure.
Options
available.
1. Days 2 and 3 can be combined
if one follows the usual tourist
path to Minto's Hut area. Takes
5 - 6 hours . recommended only
for the fit and acclimatised climber.
2. On day 5 we are able to continue
back to Nairobi that same day,
arriving back by about 2200 hrs..
some what beat!.
3 Should the weather be poor
in the afternoon of day 4, it
is possible to overnight at Austrian
Hut and do the whole climb on
day 5, again with or without the
option of over nighting at Howell
Hut. Return to Nairobi either
day 6 or on the 7th day. Please
note additional cost.
