Mt Kenya Climb with Mama Tembo Tours
and Mary Kariuki of Standout Adventures, Kenya

Mt Kenya is 180 kilometers north of Nairobi, Kenya. An extinct volcano, it is located in Mount Kenya National Park , the Kikuyu people's homeland and considered the home of their god ngai. Mt Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second highest on the African continent after Tanzania's Mt. Kilimanjaro.

There are two rainy seasons which affect Mt Kenya. One occurs April to June, the other October through December. Mary tells me that her favorite months for climbing are August and September, which is timely for a post-climb safari to the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti National Park to catch the wildebeest migration.

Although Kilimanjaro is higher, climbers often find Mt Kenya more challenging. Mt Kenya actually has three peaks. The third highest at 4985 meters is known as Point Lenana. This is where climbers without technical climbing skills and equipment summit.

There are multiple routes up Mt Kenya to Lenana. The most popular is Sirimon, one of the best for overall views, forest walks, and its gradual climb to the summit. Next is Chogoria, arguably the most scenic, but the longest and toughest of the routes. There is also Naro Moru, the steepest and fastest way up the mountain and therefore the challenger to Chogoria for the level of fitness it requires. Allow five to seven days for a Mt Kenya climb.

Who is Mary of Standout Adventures?
www.standout-adventures.com

Mary is considered the first East African woman to summit both Mts. Kenya and Kilimanjaro. Growing up in a village in the shadow of Mt Kenya, and wishing to provide for her son from an early ill fated marriage, she worked as a porter on Mt Kenya which was not only backbreaking work but also highly unusual for a woman in traditional Africa. She then worked her way into guiding on the mountain and ultimately her own business.

For women climbers, Mary recommends Sirimon route up and Chogoria route down.

Day One: Depart Nairobi 8 am and drive to Central Highlands on the northern side of Mt Kenya , a four-hour drive. Lunch at Naru Moro Lodge. Organize your trekking gear here. In the afternoon, take a short walk to acclimatize to the higher altitude. Dinner and overnight at the Alliance Hotel.

Day Two: Depart 9 am for Mt Kenya National Park's Sirimon Gate (2600 meters), a one-hour drive. Your trek begins at Sirimon Gate, climbs steadily through rainforest for 10 kms and forks left at the junction for Old Moses Camp. Dinner and overnight at Judmaier Camp, elevation 3300 meters. Elevation gain is 690 meters today.

Day Three: Depart at 8 am. The track has become a path which travels south around the head of a large valley, crossing several mountain streams, to reach the crest of the ridge between the Otulili and Liki North Valleys, a walk of four to five hours. Dinner and overnight at Liki North Hut, elevation 3993 meters. Elevation gain is 693 meters today.

Day Four: Depart 8 am. It is a four to five hour walk from Liki North Hut to Shipton's Camp in the Mackinder Valley, elevation 4250 meters, for dinner and overnight. Elevation gain today is 297 meters.

Day Five: Wake up at 2 am for tea and biscuits. Depart at 3 am for Lenana summit, which typically takes three to four hours. This is a very tough climb across scree with the path difficult at times to follow. You approach Point Lenana, elevation 4985 meters, by its north face. You want to summit by sunrise at 6:30 am.

After summiting, you descend Point Lenana by its east face, which is the Chogoria route, to Hall Tarn, elevation 4250 meters, a three to four hour walk, where you breakfast. Spend the rest of the day exploring the area's scenic Gorges Valley and Lake Michaelson. Return to Hall Tarn for dinner and overnight. Elevation gain and loss is 735 meters today.

Day Six: Depart 8 am for Meru Mount Kenya Lodge, elevation 3000 meters, a five hour walk through the Gorges Valley, where you have dinner and overnight. Elevation loss is 950 meters today. The lodge consists of log cabins with hot showers and fireplaces. It is the perfect place to ease aching muscles and a treat after four nights of camping.

Day Seven: Depart 8 am. Descend the last 10 kms through rainforest to reach the vehicle waiting to ferry you the remaining distance to Chogoria town. From Chogoria you return to Nairobi by road with a stop for lunch.

• All camping gear is carried by porters (mess tent, chairs, food, water, and climbers' luggage.) Climbers are advised to travel lightly as porters have a weight allowance and carry only their daypacks themselves.
• All park entry, camping, guides and porters fees; camping equipment; three meals a day from day one; all accommodations from day one; road transfers from day one; and airport transfers are included in the cost of the climb.
• Hotels in Nairobi; tips; insurance; international air tickets; and items of a personal nature are not included.
• Cape buffalo and elephant can be encountered in forested areas.

This seven day program in 2007 cost $1150.00 US per person based on a six person group with Mary as your mountain guide.