Our Mt. Kenya adventure began at the Sirimon Gate, elevation 2650 m (8,692 ft), with two guides (one owned the company), 1 cook, 3 porters, and a very nice gentleman from Paris. John, the owner, drove all the gear up to Moses Camp while the rest of us walked 9km (~6 miles). Along the route we saw Colubus monkeys playing in the treetops and watching us.
Notice the footwear Chris has. This is all he wore on the mountain.
We arrived just before dark to a cluster of green buildings, one with tables, one with bunk beds and a bathroom, and one for the cooks and porters. We were now at 3300m (10,824 ft).
The camp space is reserved and shared by multiple groups. At the Sirimon gate, we met a group of 5 Israelis, a couple from northern Italy, and 2 Chinese women, all of them looked to be in their 20's or early 30's. In the "dining building," there were a few other groups who had arrived earlier. The Israelis proceeded to set up a stove, chop, cook, and then spill their stew all over the floor. Not a happy time for that group.
Day 2: Our early morning start was delayed by rain. Once it stopped, we began the 17-18 km (almost 12 miles) hike to Shipton's Camp.
We'd left the trees and colobus monkeys behind on the first day of walking. Some of the vegetation above the trees felt like walking through a Dr. Seuss story.
Our guide, Jack, pointing up the gorge toward the higher peaks with visible snow and Shipton Camp, our destination. We'd be climbing about 900m (~3000 feet).
Heading up the gorge
A rock hyrax enjoying a meal along the trail. These marmot-like mammals are more closely related to elephants than to rodents or rabbits.
Shipton's Camp, elevation 4200m (13,776 feet)
No snow here but we'd spent the last hour or so walking through pouring rain. Everyone was soaked.
Clouds obscured the higher peaks but snow was clearly visible and not far above the camp.
The main camp building where we ate and slept; the bunk rooms were on the other side of the wall where there are jackets drying.
Two women from China sat at the table next to ours.
The morning brought more rains and groups were deciding what to do. The Italian couple had left with their guide at 2am to try to climb to Point Lenana, the highest point that doesn't require ropes and crazy rock climbing skills. Lenana was our goal and that of all the groups we met except for one ninja climber from Australia. The guides keep in contact with each other so we learned that the trail to Lenana had too much snow to safely make it to the top. With this news, many of the groups decided to return to Old Moses Camp and then hike out. Permits in the National Park are very specific for the days you are there and when you attempt to climb to Lenana. There isn't flexibility.
Yvonnique, our newfound French friend, convinced our guide, John, to take us up over the ridge and then continue our trek across the mountain to Chogoria Gate, allowing us to see more of the mountain. This is the route we had planned to follow after our summit push.
Leaving Shipton Camp on Day 3
Up the trail to cross the ridge
Chris spreading the good word for Tree People, James and Sarah's tree care business in Seattle.
Making our way through the snow
The snow was 8-10" in places! in Kenya!! on the equator!!!
Our highest point was the top of the ridge, Simba Col, 4620m (15,153 ft). That is higher than anywhere in the Lower 48 states.
Heading down, still covered in clouds
Notice the bluff with the right angle on the left of the photo. Our next camp, Mintos Camp, is on the top.
Looking back at Lenana Point, beckoning us to try again.
Mintos Camp at 4200m, the coldest night we spent on the mountain!
The next morning, Day 4, was beautiful. With binoculars, we could see people on the top of Lenana. Our breakfast was served on the rock table with a red tablecloth. Batian, the summit of Mt. Kenya at 5199m (17,057ft), is visible in the top center of the photo, the darker-appearing rock.
Batian is the high point on the right.
Lenana is the slightly lower point, a bit flatter on top, left of Batian.
Views as we descended on Day 4
Stopping for a snack on our way to Chogoria Gate. This picnic shelter marks the end of the 4-wheel drive road from the gate to the trail. We walked about 2 hours down the road in rain, sometimes very heavy rain. Lots of elephant dung along this road!
Our final night was another tent night, but there were rooms available. Two of the 3 sleeping pads leaked, so we opted for rooms.
This building had a restaurant, bar, and wifi!
We met some other guides including one who had trained with NOLS in Lander, Wyoming.
Day 5, leaving Mt. Kenya National Park at the Chogoria gate
Leopard prints, we were told, on the road down to Chogoria Town
The 4-wheel drive that would take all of us to Chogoria Town.
Our group, minus one guide, John, who turned around after we made it over snowy Simba Col. He left his car at Old Moses Camp and would drive it around and meet us in Chogoria Town.
A last meal with John and Yvonnique
Back at our apartment at Mt. Kenya Academy
A wonderful adventure, great people, amazing guides, porters, and cooks - we can't wait to try again!
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