Mount Kenya Technical Climbing

Mt. Kenya technical climbing standard North face to Batian via Chogoria route

Season is from Early July through to the end of October. (Poor weather possible at start and end of seasons).

Day 1. Nairobi - Mount kenya
We pick 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

Days 1. through 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 road head / 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..