Mount Kenya

Mount Kenya is with 5199 m the second highest mountain in Africa after Kilimanjaro. Located directly on the equator, it offers a large number of ascent routes. It has 3 main peaks (Batian 5199m, Nelion 5188m, Lenana 4985m). The volcanic […]

Mount Kenya

is with 5199 m the second highest mountain in Africa after Kilimanjaro. Located directly on the equator, it offers a large number of ascent routes. It has 3 main peaks (Batian 5199m, Nelion 5188m, Lenana 4985m). The volcanic towers Batian (5199m) and Nelion (5189m) majestically tower above a mountain giant with glacier fields and lush vegetation. Lenana is the “hiking peak” while Batian and Nelion have to be climbed. Several beautiful national park routes to the peaks and especially a moderate to very low visitor flow (compared to Kilimanjaro) await the visitor. In the right seasons there is the possibility of real wildebeest walks through untouched landscapes, characterized by 5 vegetation zones. The Mount Kenya massif has been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site because of its scenic beauty and its unique flora and fauna. Mount Kenya has a base of 120 km with very beautiful climbs and great hiking routes in afro-alpine rainforest, heather forests and moorland regions with tussock grass, lobelias and senecias. If you want to avoid the challenging climb to the twin peaks, you should climb the easy Lenana Peak (4985m) and on a clear day you can look out over the fertile plains around the mountain or the vast deserts in the north.

Requirements

The ascent of Mount Kenya (Lenana viewpoint) does not make high demands on every participant in terms of mountaineering skills, but in terms of altitude tolerance and endurance. Their tolerance of altitude cannot be forced, but can only be promoted by adapting as slowly as possible. The trekking times are about 5 – 8 hours (on the summit day usually between 12 and 14 hours) in extremely different terrain formations. You will encounter mud, thicket, riverbeds, rock and scree. Due to rain the terrain is partly wet and slippery. You must be in excellent physical condition to complete this tour. Both the daily distance and the altitude difference are not exceptional. Before starting the tour, you should consult a doctor and have a thorough examination, as exertion and high altitude put great strain on your heart and circulation during this tour. You will be accompanied by a local guide, whose only task is to show you the right way. The guides are not mountain guides in the European sense, but they are extremely experienced Mount Kenya climbers. The ability to make independent decisions during the ascent is required. As usual among mountaineers, your comradely help with camp life is expected as a contribution to the success of the mountain tour.
Your luggage (max. 12kg) will be carried by porters. For your personal belongings (change of clothes, camera etc.) you will need a backpack with a volume of approx. 35 litres.
The ascent of the highest Mount Kenya peak, the Batian with 5199 meters of altitude difference, is technically very demanding. The ascent via the northern standard route includes an approx. 10 hour climb over 1100 meters of altitude difference in the degree of difficulty up to 6+ and should be undertaken in the period July to September. The same applies to an approx. 6 hour climb over 700 meters of altitude difference to the Nelion 5188m, the second highest peak.

Climate

You will find an extremely well tolerated climate; it is one of the best in the world. The chosen period should be between July and September. Nevertheless, fog, rain and, in higher regions, snowfall are to be expected in the period July to September. Depending on the altitude, temperatures can vary between 30°C and -10°C (Lenana summit area). Pleasant daytime temperatures of up to 15°C at 4000m altitude usually fall below freezing point at night! Climbing Mount Kenya means crossing from tropical to almost arctic climates within a few days. During the rainy season, rain and snow are most likely, and in any case bad weather is to be expected.