Mount Kenya Treks
Introduction
Mount Kenya is Africa’s second highest mountain. It offers easy or challenging ascents with superb scenic beauty. Mount Kenya is the country’s highest mountain. Sitting astride the equator its icy summit reaches to 5199m (17,058 ft). All of the mountain above the 3200m contour forms a national park. It is no wonder that this remote majestic wonderland was considered as God’s domain by awed farmers at its foothills. Many rivers flow from the perpetual snows, among them the mighty Tana, Kenya’s largest and longest river and source of much of Kenya’s electricity supply. Most visitors are content to marvel at the mountain’s beauty but some will want to attempt to reach the peaks; a feat requiring considerable rock climbing skill. But the mountain’s lesser peaks and glaciers can be scaled and walked by the fit and the adventurous. Point Lenana, 4985m, can be easily reached. In fact the majority of visitors go to the mountain to enjoy the walking and especially the high level hut-to-hut hike round the mountain with its humbling vistas.To the ancient Kikuyu and the Kamba tribesmen the peaks of mount Kenya viewed from a distance resembled the black and white plumage of the male ostrich. These black and white patches on the mountain are actually the rocks and the glaciers that form the peak area. It was from this resemblance that the Kikuyu named the mountain “Kirinyaga”, which translated means, the area of the Ostrich, similarly it was from this same comparison that they named their god “Mwene Nyaga”, implying that their god who to them stayed at the top on Mt Kenya, was the owner of the Ostrich they imagined to be on the top. The Kikuyu believe, “Mwene Nyaga” whom they also called “Ngai” lived on top of Kirinyiga (Mt. Kenya). The Kikuyu held Mt. Kenya as a sacred place, which they faced when praying, or offering sacrifices to “Mwene Nyaga” (God). The Kamba people have a slightly different accent and pronounce “Kirinyaga “ as “Kinyaa”. Being the first people to encounter the inquisitive European explores when they sighted the majestic mountain, the European used the Kamba version to name the mountain, and Mt.Kenya.The country was later named after the mountain.
Flora & Fauna
The flora and fauna has adapted to the environmental conditions of the equatorial mountain. The high rainfall and mild temperatures characteristics of the lower slopes of the mountain sustain luxurious growth of the forest. Similarly plants of higher elevation and alpine zone are adapted to exist under the harsh climatic regime of the upper slopes. The vegetation of mount Kenya divides the mountain into distinctive zones or belts, which are similar from all directions of the mountain, but vary in extent depending with the amount of annual rainfall experienced in a particular area. The vegetation zones are as follows:
· FORESTS: Between approximately 2100 – 2400 meters
· BAMBO: Between approximately 2400- 2850 meters
· HAGENIA – HYPERICUM ZONE: Also known as the Rosewood Zone which is a high altitude rain forest between approximately
2850 – 3000 meters
· HEATH ZONE: Also known as Ericaceous zone with giant heaths or bushes and tussock grass from above 3000 – 3300 meters
· THE ALPINE ZONE: Between about 3300 – 4350 meters is the home of many unique high altitude plants such as Protea,
Helichrysum, ostrich plum lobelia the giant lobelia, Senecios, Groundsel and the very the expansive fields of tussock grass which is the
main cover of theAlpine Zone.
· THE NIVAL ZONE: Above 4350 metres to the top of the mountain, the Zone of rock and ice, vegetation is only present in the most
sheltered situations and for the most part, the slopes are of bare gravel and scree from which the glaciers have only recently retreated.
The forest, bamboo and Hagenia - Hypericum zones between 2100 and 3000 m host a rich fauna. Among the larger animals to be found are the cape buffaloes, bushbucks and the elephants. The black rhinoceros is very rare and it is very restricted to the North – Western sections of the mountain. Smaller animals include the attractive sykes monkeys, the black and white Columbus Monkey, the black-faced vervet, the black tipped or slender mongoose and few diurnal mongooses can be seen during the day. Other animals include defassa waterbuck and the Burch ells zebras seen in the lower part of the forest of the Sirimon track. Leopards are sometimes spotted on the Sirimon and Naro moru tracks. Birds are also plentiful. Among the larger birds of prey, the following can be seen: the white-backed vultures, the crowned hawk, eagle, the crested eagle, the mountain buzzard and augur buzzard with its beautiful red tail. Some of the great birds of prey include: the great sparrow hawk and the African goshawk. In the heath and alpine zones between 3000 and 4350 m the most notable animals seen are: the spotted hyena, large spotted genet, black tipped mongoose and porcupine. In the upper forest zone into the moorland is the black backed jackals and hunting dogs. Elephants, buffaloes, rhino and eland seem to migrate up the mountain into the Alpine zone where leopards are permanent residents in the Alpine valleys.
Routes
All the routes to Mt Kenya are aimed at connecting to the SUMMIT CIRCUIT ROUTE. There are three mainly commonly used routes namely: The Sirimon, Naro Moru, and the Chogoria route.
SIRIMON ROUTE
This route provides the easiest and most scenic access to the Northern side of the central peaks, which include BATIAN, NELION and LENANA. The track is 15 km from Nanyuki town heading towards Meru. This routes has a lot of advantages that makes it more favorable and comfortable. It lies on the northwestern side of Mt. Kenya, and generally escapes some rainfall, making it drier than other routes most time of the year. There are two permanent camps, the Old Moses at 3300 m and Shipton’s camp 4200 m (overlooking the main peaks). From the Mackinder valley, where the Shipton camp stands, you have the panoramic view of all the main peaks including Terere and Sendeyo two ancient parasitic vents of the main peaks. Water is plentiful and you can always refill your bottles. You also have a chance to cross the Equator both at Nanyuki and on your to Old Moses Camp.
CHOGORIA ROUTE.
This route provides access to the peaks, from the eastern side of the mountain. The route begins from chogoria town; about 96km from Embu and64km from Meru.It is regarded as being the most beautiful route to the mountain. Ernest Carr, who made a vehicle track to the moorland, opened it in 1920s. It is however, a much longer route, compared to the others. Camping is possible at the road head and water is available from a stream that passes by. Mintos Hut (4300m) is an excellently sited hut on the plateau overlooking Lake Michaelson 300m below. Spectacular views can be sighted at the Nithi George, by walking ten minutes south-east of the Mintos hut to the edge of the “Temple.” From Hall Tarn the trail continues to the Austria Hut (4790m) via square Tarn and the Tooth Col, then round the head of the Hobley Valley. Alternatively Shipton’s Camp (4200m) may be reached (3 hours), via Simba Col. Drop down towards lower Simba Tarn and turn left to Shipton’s Camp.
BURGURET ROUTE
The route starts from Mountain Rock Hotel, and goes through the forest past Gathiuru Forest Station to an indistinct road head at the end of the plantation area – 2500m. The trail continues from here to elephant camp 2600m. The trail cuts through tropical rainforest till it gets to the more open Hagenia –Hypericum Zone 2860m and eventually to the Heath Zone from where you can now clearly see the peaks. Further on after the castle there is a good campsite ‘kampi ya farasi’ on which we pitch up our tents for the night. From ‘kampi ya farasi’, the trail swings left and climbs steeply out of the valley. The ridge bears right again, and a walk over rocky ground brings you round the hill. The trail then swings to the left via the Hausberg Col and Oblong Tarn to Mackinder’s valley and descends down to Shipton’s Camp (4200m).
NARO MORU ROUTE
This route to the Teleki Valley and is the shortest way to the peaks. It is the most densely populated with hikers owing to the fact that is the shortest way up, and most obvious trail. A steep marshy section known as the Vertical bog, is reached one hour from Met Station, this section is terrible and is covered in two hours. After three to four hours from Met Station the path reaches the crest of the ridge overlooking Teleki Valley (4000m). The path contours along the right hand side of the Teleki Valley, keeping high and then gradually descending to pass Naro Moru stream to Mackinder’s Camp (4200m). From Met Station to Mackinder’s camp is app 5-6 hours of hiking. The Austrian hut can be reached in a further 4 hours walk and another 45 min you see point Lenana (4985m)
SUMMIT CIRCUIT OF THE MAN PEAKS – ANTI-CLOCKWISE
Beginning from Shipton’s Camp you ascend directly to Kami Hut, follow the sandy scree to Hausberg Col and drop steeply to Oblong and Hausberg Tarn for a short rest. After your rest the path leads straight on between the two tarn’s to reach the foot of a scree slope that climbs steeply up a to reach a col with Nanyuki tarn as its base. The path trends left and downwards from the col passing below Arthurs seat, trends to reach Nanyuki Tarn, passes to the left of the tarn, to climb a short rocky section, then cross a small col to reach Hut Tarn, turning right to reach Two Tarn Hut (4490m). From here the path continues along the right side of the tarn, climbs a bolder to reach a scree overlooking Teleki Valley then drops through a steep scree slope to reach Mackinder camp (4200m). From Mackinder’s trend northwards to meet a path coming from American Camp, the path to Austrian Hut can be seen snaking up the large scree slope on the opposite side of the valley, follow this clearly cairned path around the head of a valley. Cross a boulder scree and a large buttress, trend steeply upwards to reach Tooth Col, from this col it is possible to see down into Georges Valley and Hall Tarns. The path then drops down to square Tarn, continues to follow cairns trending left and down towards Simba Tarn, drop steeply down towards the lower Simba Tarn the cut across the to the shiptons camp. Hiking time to complete the circuit is eleven hours. It is advisable to split the trip into two by spending a night a t the Mackinder’s camp on the Teleki Valley (4200m).
SUMMIT CIRCUIT OF THE PEAKS - CLOCKWISE
From Shipton’s camp 4200m-aim cast, around the left side of a rocky bluff 100m, to meet the path to lower Simba Tarn. From the south-eastern end of the Tarn ain south0east and trend leftwards to skirt around a rocky buttress on its left side then aim straight up towards Simba col. From Simba col, drop a short scree slope, which is passed on its side, and continue to trend right and gradually upwards across boulders to cross another ridge and drop to square tarn. A zig-zag path can be seen climbing the scree-slope directly towards the summit of point Lenana. Follow this path to reach Harris Tarn pass to the right across steep rocky ground, maintain height where possible to reach point Lenana on the right. From point lenana drop down, trending left via Lewis Glaciers to Austrian hut. Trend down towards the head of Teleki Valley. The path is clear as it drops down the scree, to reach level vegetation ground at the head of the valley. Keep trending right to reach the American camp, from this camp the path climbs steeply up the right side of a scree slope. At the top of this ridge is Hut Tarn and Two Tarn, aim now northwards out from the shoulder of point pigott. Follow the path on the left down to Nanyuki tarn then below and to the left of the cliffs of the Eastern terminal. Drop slightly, across wide rock ledges, then trend up and left round the base of the cliffs of Arthurs seat to reach the col between Arthurs seat and the Western terminal. From the col, Hausberg tarn and Oblong Tarn are visible at the head of Hausberg Valley. Drop down the scree to the valley and across easy ground to pass the tarns. The path is zigzag up a sandy scree to reach Hausberg Col. From this point the head of the Mackinder valley can be seen, descend directly down the steep scree to Shipton’s camp. Hiking time to complete this circuit in a day is 11 hours. Spending a night at the Mackider’s Camp on the Teleki Valley can split the trip.
Further information
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING
- Sleeping bag
- Money for personal spending and tipping
- Only a small kit bag or rucksack, as space is limited
- A pair of long trousers and jersey for the cool mornings and evenings in addition to plenty
of light clothes for hot days (don't forget a hat), a pillow, good walking shoes
- Torch, sunglasses, suntan lotion, insect repellent
- Mineral water for drinking (available in office)
- Camera, films, binoculars, maps, perhaps guide books on fauna / flora
- Toilet paper, towel, soap, toothbrush/paste