Climb to the summit of Africa's second highest mountain, Mt Kenya
The latest and greatest adventure to be had. Mt Kenya is just that, there's no "tourist route" for us as you choose your adventure with us. You will either trek to the summit of Point Lenana via the Chogoria route, a lesser traveled route taking you high into the mountains to experience the wildlife and the scenery of Kenya or you can choose to daringly climb the South East ridge of Point Batian a fantastic 16 pitch rock climb taking you all the way to the top of the summit spire.
You'll spend 7 nights out on the mountain camping and in mountain huts during our adventure, being led both by experienced local guides and two qualified British mountaineering instructors. To reach the summit you'll conquer steep rocky slopes, rocky cliffs and dizzying heights. It will be hard, but its an amazing adventure, nothing this good is easy!
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What is Mt Kenya
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What to expect
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Inclusions
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Dates and prices
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Itinerary
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Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second-highest in Africa. The highest peaks of the mountain are Batian (5,199 metres (17,057 ft)), Nelion (5,188 metres (17,021 ft)) and Point Lenana (4,985 metres (16,355 ft)). Mount Kenya is located in the former Eastern and central provinces of Kenya, now Meru, Embu, Laikipia, Kirinyaga, Nyeri and Tharaka Nithi counties, about 16.5 kilometres (10.3 mi) south of the equator, around 150 kilometres (93 mi) north-northeast of the capital Nairobi.
The Normal route to Nelion is a technical climb attempted via the southern side of Mt Kenya and is best accessed from Austrian hut. After crossing an area that was once the Lewis Glacier followed by a scramble up the scree to the base of the climb, generally you have completed the first 2 pitches before first light. Once the sun does come out the climbing becomes even more enjoyable. As you work through the pitches you will pass famous features such as “1 o’clock gully”, “The Rabbit Hole” and “De Graf’s Variation” which will present some easy and some challenging climbing. “Bailey’s bivy” which is a disused hut can be considered the half-way point on this spectacular route. The summit of Nelion is generally reached in 4-6 hours, Howell Hut, on the summit of Nelion, can be used as an overnight bivy should the group be interested in crossing over to Batian. The crossing over to Batian is via the “Gates of Mist” which involves dropping some 50meters off Nelion and climbing a further 80meters to the summit. The estimated time to do this crossing and return to Nelion is 3-4 hours and is totally dependent on ice levels within the “Gates of Mist”. A night in Howell hut is recommended, descending the following morning.
It is this route on to Nelion that saw Eric Shipton complete the first ascent to the summit of Mt Kenya in 1929 with PW Harris prior to him being part of a reconnaissance team on Mt Everest. The route has many other famous stories from famous faces of the past which you will have to discuss with your guide during the unforgettable climb.
It is this route on to Nelion that saw Eric Shipton complete the first ascent to the summit of Mt Kenya in 1929 with PW Harris prior to him being part of a reconnaissance team on Mt Everest. The route has many other famous stories from famous faces of the past which you will have to discuss with your guide during the unforgettable climb.
- Professional guides for the whole of your trip
- All of your accommodation from arrival to departure
- Transfers to and from Nairobi
- Expert, local, English-speaking mountain guides
- Two fully qualified and insured British mountaineering instructors
- All transfers once in Kenya
- All meals on the hike
- Expert training in the UK over two days of your choice
- Round the clock access to myself if you have any questions
- Financial failure insured company
- Great food
- Professional photographer to take photos of you looking like a mountain guru!
- Live Tracking so your family and friends at home can track your progress
Atlas Mountaineering is a small company, Its just me (Connor) that runs the office and does most of the guiding. With that I only run one set of dates a year. Highest quality is the aim of the game!
- 9th of October (arrival date) to the 19th October (departure date) for Kenya.
- The two day skills date will be in summer 2020 on a set of dates to still be arranged.
This would be an 11 day expedition, with pre/post accommodation,9 days trek/technical and transfers included.
Here is a proposed itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival and collection from the Airport- transfer to Nanyuki and hotel accommodation
Day 2: Transfer to Chogoria - lunch at the Chogoria Bandas and trek to Special Camp
Day 3: Trek from Special Camp to Lake Ellis
Day 4: Lake Ellis to Lake Michaelson trek
Day 5: Trek from Lake Michaelson to Kami Hut.
Day 6: Kami hut to American Camp
Day 7: Navigate to Pt. John(those keen on technical climb of point John may do so,photographer will have good views of the diamond couloir as well as capture different aspects of the peaks)- subsequent hike to Austrian Hut.
Day 8: Attempt Pt. Nelion/Batian
Day 9: Attempt Pt. Nelion/Batian- descend to Makinder's camp
Day 10: Mackinder's camp to Met Station for collection and on to the hotel
Day 11: Transfer to Nairobi(Airport)
Here is a proposed itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival and collection from the Airport- transfer to Nanyuki and hotel accommodation
Day 2: Transfer to Chogoria - lunch at the Chogoria Bandas and trek to Special Camp
Day 3: Trek from Special Camp to Lake Ellis
Day 4: Lake Ellis to Lake Michaelson trek
Day 5: Trek from Lake Michaelson to Kami Hut.
Day 6: Kami hut to American Camp
Day 7: Navigate to Pt. John(those keen on technical climb of point John may do so,photographer will have good views of the diamond couloir as well as capture different aspects of the peaks)- subsequent hike to Austrian Hut.
Day 8: Attempt Pt. Nelion/Batian
Day 9: Attempt Pt. Nelion/Batian- descend to Makinder's camp
Day 10: Mackinder's camp to Met Station for collection and on to the hotel
Day 11: Transfer to Nairobi(Airport)
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What do I need to know
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What to bring
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What's not included
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How fit do I need to be?
- You need to be able to manage a 10 hour day out in the mountains so a good level of fitness is require. The altitude adds an extra level of difficulty and we will cover difficult pathless mountain terrain on snow and ice.
- If you are attempting Nelion or Bation you need to attend your free training weekend in either Scotland or the Lake District to do some rock climbing in preparation for our trip
Can I leave a suitcase somewhere?
- Absolutely, the accommodation at the base has a locked facility for leaving luggage secure.
What food will I eat?
- It is important to eat well and stay hydrated whilst trekking at high altitude. The high altitude can often cause nausea which causes a reluctance to eat. It is however important that you do eat for strength and to keep away any high altitude related illnesses. Good quality hearty meals are important, we provide 3 course evening meals, freshly made pack lunches and full breakfasts.
The evening meals are starter, main and desert. Generally we provide a soup to start, a large main meal and light desert or chocolate. Packed lunches are made up of a freshly made roll and some snacks. Breakfast are either a full breakfast or porridge. On some mornings an early start is required so a quick breakfast is best. Tea and coffees are always available in camp.
Whats the weather like?
- It's beautiful and warm in October when we are going, 24C or so. Its much cooler in the mountains, getting down to -sub zero outside at night although through the day in the sun it definitely feels like Africa! It makes it a very unique trip to pack for, a blend of hot sunny weather and wild mountain conditions.
How safe is Kenya to visit?
-Around 100,000 UK residents visit Kenya every year. Most visits are trouble-free. We are traveling in a large group and staying in locked accommodation every night when not in the mountains, along with our local guides so we have taken every precaution to make our trip as travel friendly as possible.
- You need to be able to manage a 10 hour day out in the mountains so a good level of fitness is require. The altitude adds an extra level of difficulty and we will cover difficult pathless mountain terrain on snow and ice.
- If you are attempting Nelion or Bation you need to attend your free training weekend in either Scotland or the Lake District to do some rock climbing in preparation for our trip
Can I leave a suitcase somewhere?
- Absolutely, the accommodation at the base has a locked facility for leaving luggage secure.
What food will I eat?
- It is important to eat well and stay hydrated whilst trekking at high altitude. The high altitude can often cause nausea which causes a reluctance to eat. It is however important that you do eat for strength and to keep away any high altitude related illnesses. Good quality hearty meals are important, we provide 3 course evening meals, freshly made pack lunches and full breakfasts.
The evening meals are starter, main and desert. Generally we provide a soup to start, a large main meal and light desert or chocolate. Packed lunches are made up of a freshly made roll and some snacks. Breakfast are either a full breakfast or porridge. On some mornings an early start is required so a quick breakfast is best. Tea and coffees are always available in camp.
Whats the weather like?
- It's beautiful and warm in October when we are going, 24C or so. Its much cooler in the mountains, getting down to -sub zero outside at night although through the day in the sun it definitely feels like Africa! It makes it a very unique trip to pack for, a blend of hot sunny weather and wild mountain conditions.
How safe is Kenya to visit?
-Around 100,000 UK residents visit Kenya every year. Most visits are trouble-free. We are traveling in a large group and staying in locked accommodation every night when not in the mountains, along with our local guides so we have taken every precaution to make our trip as travel friendly as possible.
- Flights to Nairobi
- Personal travel insurance
- Lunch and evening meals in Nairobi
- Meals in town
- Personal equipment
- Brodie's photo's are available to purchase at the end of the trip
- Tips for local guides and porters
- Extra drinks or alcoholic beverages
