Climbing in Kenya
Sep 6th, 2006, 08:14 AM
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Climbing in Kenya
Has anybody done a 4-5-day climb of Mount Kenya? Interested in doing one in February 2007, but I am interested in seeing if anybody has done it before and can recommend a Guide/Operator. Also, any thoughts on the price would be greatly appreciated.
Sep 6th, 2006, 02:13 PM
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my sister in law did this trip Christmas 2005. She moved to Kenya Sept 2005. if you want to email me ([email protected]) i can get you in touch with her. she doesn't have time to read this board but i am sure would be glad to help a fellow traveler, and send you her Mt. Kenya Trek.doc, it's a great read.
I know their trip was very low budget and they really liked their guides and porters.
I know their trip was very low budget and they really liked their guides and porters.
Sep 7th, 2006, 03:10 AM
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NewYorkCity1
do you mean "climb" (alpinistic rock climbing of Nelion or Batian?) or ascending by foot (trekking) to Point Lenana (3rd peak) for example ?
I've gone up Mt. Kenya through Naro Moru Route (numerous times), & also Chogoria route & Sirimon route.
Ascending through Sirimon seems easiest, though Chogoria is beautiful with its Montane RainForest.
Naro moru is fastest though chances for altitude sickness greater...
I guess i'd recommend ascending through Chogoria and down using Naro Moru route.
Another option to consider is getting a 4X4 lift (NMRL) to Met Station. Acclimatize there - beautiful walks in the forests both Podocarpus & Hagenia zones with ascending a bit to the Giant Heather zone - and continue 1-2 days later...
if you do not organize it yourself see prices at e.g. http://www.mountkenya.org/mkbooking/main.htm
for INFO
MCK: Mountain Clubs of Kenya
they own the huts
a useful link (see useful addresses there) http://www.ewpnet.com/eaimg/Mount_Kenya_general.htm
about cost of guides or porters u can find out at Naro Moru river Lodge
http://www.alliancehotels.com/naromoru-activities.html
Of course mountain guides exist at the other routes unfortunately i don't have any longer the direct address of the Chogoria guides...
You will have to pay NP fees per day plus camping fees (even if you stay in MCK huts or other & pay also for the huts). also u'll have to pay for the guide & porter entry & camping fees
good luck
aby
do you mean "climb" (alpinistic rock climbing of Nelion or Batian?) or ascending by foot (trekking) to Point Lenana (3rd peak) for example ?
I've gone up Mt. Kenya through Naro Moru Route (numerous times), & also Chogoria route & Sirimon route.
Ascending through Sirimon seems easiest, though Chogoria is beautiful with its Montane RainForest.
Naro moru is fastest though chances for altitude sickness greater...
I guess i'd recommend ascending through Chogoria and down using Naro Moru route.
Another option to consider is getting a 4X4 lift (NMRL) to Met Station. Acclimatize there - beautiful walks in the forests both Podocarpus & Hagenia zones with ascending a bit to the Giant Heather zone - and continue 1-2 days later...
if you do not organize it yourself see prices at e.g. http://www.mountkenya.org/mkbooking/main.htm
for INFO
MCK: Mountain Clubs of Kenya
they own the huts
a useful link (see useful addresses there) http://www.ewpnet.com/eaimg/Mount_Kenya_general.htm
about cost of guides or porters u can find out at Naro Moru river Lodge
http://www.alliancehotels.com/naromoru-activities.html
Of course mountain guides exist at the other routes unfortunately i don't have any longer the direct address of the Chogoria guides...
You will have to pay NP fees per day plus camping fees (even if you stay in MCK huts or other & pay also for the huts). also u'll have to pay for the guide & porter entry & camping fees
good luck
aby
Sep 7th, 2006, 07:08 PM
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aby
You mention Naro Moru River Lodge... Do you know if it's true that they are the only ones who can guarantee you beds in the huts on the climb (although of course another operator may book them for you through them)? Is that part of the reason you recommend them for guides - or just because they are good?
You mention Naro Moru River Lodge... Do you know if it's true that they are the only ones who can guarantee you beds in the huts on the climb (although of course another operator may book them for you through them)? Is that part of the reason you recommend them for guides - or just because they are good?
Sep 8th, 2006, 11:52 PM
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Hi Kimburu
NMRL is not the only source for guides,
as mentioned in the link i provided
http://www.ewpnet.com/eaimg/Mount_Kenya_general.htm
They give other sources like Mountain Rock Hotel (formerly Bantu Lodge) & even give the contact at Chogoria.
just found MCK site:
http://www.mck.or.ke/visit.html
very good updated info !
It states that NMRL (Naro Moru River Lodge) owns huts in the NM route. Gives updates on which huts r no longer in use etc' - Chogoria route is now only for campers! (have to show your tents at the gate!!)
As for Hut reservations, guess one has to check these sites, plan route etc' than order accordingly.
(things r changing since the last time i went up a few years ago)
NMRL has been in the business for so many years & is situated at the most popular route, so naturally became a dominant factor...
Now i feel like returning to this awesome place. It is about time to take my daughter on a trek...
aby
NMRL is not the only source for guides,
as mentioned in the link i provided
http://www.ewpnet.com/eaimg/Mount_Kenya_general.htm
They give other sources like Mountain Rock Hotel (formerly Bantu Lodge) & even give the contact at Chogoria.
just found MCK site:
http://www.mck.or.ke/visit.html
very good updated info !
It states that NMRL (Naro Moru River Lodge) owns huts in the NM route. Gives updates on which huts r no longer in use etc' - Chogoria route is now only for campers! (have to show your tents at the gate!!)
As for Hut reservations, guess one has to check these sites, plan route etc' than order accordingly.
(things r changing since the last time i went up a few years ago)
NMRL has been in the business for so many years & is situated at the most popular route, so naturally became a dominant factor...
Now i feel like returning to this awesome place. It is about time to take my daughter on a trek...
aby
Sep 10th, 2006, 12:03 AM
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Thanks aby! I'll make it up there one day. It's so beautiful and crisp and clear even in the foothills, I can only imagine how wonderful it is to get up there ....am still trying to get my wife to promise she won't take off with a handsome safari guide if I disappear for 4 or 5 days to climb Mount Kenya - or even better to persuade her to come too! However, there is certainly hope.... (at least for the former).
Sep 10th, 2006, 04:35 AM
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kimburu:
While you are climbing Mt. Kenya your wife could be spending the days at Samburu and then meet you on the day you return to basecamp. A friend is doing this in November while her 28 year old nephew mountain climbs.
Jan
While you are climbing Mt. Kenya your wife could be spending the days at Samburu and then meet you on the day you return to basecamp. A friend is doing this in November while her 28 year old nephew mountain climbs.
Jan
Sep 10th, 2006, 05:34 AM
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It's an excellent idea Jan...handsome safari guides aside though, Kenya's still a romantic kind of a trip and I hate to "dump" her - even though she claims she'll be perfectly happy, after 13 years I have learned what "No, you go darling, I'll be fine." really means. I'm aiming for 2010, with her at least part of the way - long-term strategies ;-)
Sep 13th, 2006, 04:44 PM
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Kimburu
It doesn't have to be an 'all-or-nothing'
Here r a few suggestions how to enjoy Mt. kenya {together!} even on a day trip...
(Check the 2 nights on the mt. with separating for only 1 N. )
A. Day Trip: catch the 4X4 "mountain shuttle" from NMRL either to the Gate (alt ~2500m) or Met. Station (alt ~3000m). Walk Gate-->Met or Met--> Gate beautiful forests of both Hagenia and Podocarpus plus stands of Bamboo.
must see flowering Impatiens, endemic Gladiolus & Kniphofia...Touracos, forest Hornbills, parrots maybe (rare) black-fronted duikers; Buffaloes - handle with care...
B. 2N on Mt. 1N separate
first night Met Station with acclimatization walks.
2nd Night: You go up to MacKinder's (alt ~ 4200m) at around 02:00 u ascend for sunrise at Pt. Lenana (or even only to the glacier or "2 tarn Lake"
& then down all the way to meet DW. 4X4 back to NMRL.
DW stays the 2nd N in Met. Station & doing day walks around & in the forest (with DR - the ranger - remember ?)
Many people do the NM route 3 day 2 N...
C. Intermediate option: 1N on Mt.
sleep together in Met. then early morning u go up as far as u can. Past the Heather to the afro-alpine belt see Teleki Valley with the Giant Groundsels & the peaks, then decend, join DW & hitch to NMRL...
D. DW prefers to stay down:
# NMRL fishing, easy stroll near river, birdwatching
# MKSC (Mountain Kenya Safari Club)
# Cheap hotels Nanyuki / Nyeri
# Sweet Waters / Ol Pejeto
# Mt. Lodge / Ark / TreeTops
# Aberdare Country Club - golfing !!
# etc' up to Laikipia all closer than Samburu...
think about it - it is more beautiful than most scenery on safaris !
i wonder few consider such a day trip in the middle of game viewing...
just promise me if u do the short one that u won't give up the peaks sometime in the future.
aby
It doesn't have to be an 'all-or-nothing'
Here r a few suggestions how to enjoy Mt. kenya {together!} even on a day trip...
(Check the 2 nights on the mt. with separating for only 1 N. )
A. Day Trip: catch the 4X4 "mountain shuttle" from NMRL either to the Gate (alt ~2500m) or Met. Station (alt ~3000m). Walk Gate-->Met or Met--> Gate beautiful forests of both Hagenia and Podocarpus plus stands of Bamboo.
must see flowering Impatiens, endemic Gladiolus & Kniphofia...Touracos, forest Hornbills, parrots maybe (rare) black-fronted duikers; Buffaloes - handle with care...
B. 2N on Mt. 1N separate
first night Met Station with acclimatization walks.
2nd Night: You go up to MacKinder's (alt ~ 4200m) at around 02:00 u ascend for sunrise at Pt. Lenana (or even only to the glacier or "2 tarn Lake"
& then down all the way to meet DW. 4X4 back to NMRL.DW stays the 2nd N in Met. Station & doing day walks around & in the forest (with DR - the ranger - remember ?)
Many people do the NM route 3 day 2 N...
C. Intermediate option: 1N on Mt.
sleep together in Met. then early morning u go up as far as u can. Past the Heather to the afro-alpine belt see Teleki Valley with the Giant Groundsels & the peaks, then decend, join DW & hitch to NMRL...
D. DW prefers to stay down:
# NMRL fishing, easy stroll near river, birdwatching
# MKSC (Mountain Kenya Safari Club)
# Cheap hotels Nanyuki / Nyeri
# Sweet Waters / Ol Pejeto
# Mt. Lodge / Ark / TreeTops
# Aberdare Country Club - golfing !!
# etc' up to Laikipia all closer than Samburu...
think about it - it is more beautiful than most scenery on safaris !
i wonder few consider such a day trip in the middle of game viewing...
just promise me if u do the short one that u won't give up the peaks sometime in the future.
aby
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