by sales@heritagehotels.co.ke
28 March 2011
Peter Wandiriani, an Heritage Hotels' eCommerce Executive is taking part in a gruelling 5-day trek of Mount Kenya from Naru Moru, a sleepy town along the main Tumu Tumu - Meru road through the mountain.The group of 16, accompanied by two guides shall be climbing from the east to Point Lenana 4,985 metres (16,366ft) above sea level and out westwards at Chogoria.
Over the 5-day period, we shall be updating this blog with their progress, and after the trek we shall post pictures of this great adventure. The planned itinerary is: Day 1,March 02 You drive to the north of Nairobi through pineapple and coffee plantations to the slopes of Mt Kenya which normally take 4 hrs.You will have your picnic lunch at Naru-Moru gate and then start walking through rain forest for 3 hrs to Met Station 3,048m,dinner/overnight. Day 2, March 03 After breakfast,the whole group will climb higher than Met Station to gain the altitude and acclimatisation then return to the camp,dinner/overnight. Day 3, March 04 After breakfast your climb continue to Mackinders camp which is approximately 5-6 hrs,14km.You will walk through the vertical bog and tussock grass.At this point the main peaks provide a spectacular view of Batian and Nelion, continue walking through Teleki Valley,dinner/overnight at Mackinder's camp 4,300m. Day 4, March 05 The ascension of the summit of Point Lenana begin before dawn at 3.00 oclock to ensure time to view the sunrise from the peaks.The walk takes 3 hrs to Point Lenana 4,985m ,third highest peak.,then descend to Mintos hut for breakfast,dinner/overnight. Day 5 March 06 After breakfast continue descending down to Meru Mount Kenya Bandas above Chogoria, following the Gorges Valley. It will take 5 hours to reach the chogoria bandas,where you will lunch and then you drive down through the bamboo and indigenous forest passing Embu to Nairobi. Day 1:
Peter Wandiriani] and the Kobo Safaris crew of 16 strong plus their 2 guides have just come from acclimatisation near Mackinder's Camp some 3,800 metres above sea level on Mt Kenya.
They are now back at camp at the Met station. The group sets off tomorrow morning at 0630 hrs for an overnight at Mackinder's Camp, which is 4,200m above sea level. The temperature at Mackinder's camp is around -1ºC.
Day 2:
08.00am
The group left the Met Station (-0.174193,37.147093) at dawn for a six hour uphill ascent of 1,200 metres above sea level through heath and moorland belt to Mackinder's Camp. The group has just completed the rain forest. Weather conditions are favourable -it's hot and the group is in great cheer.
They are using the Naru Moru route, favorite for many climbers because it's less steep and takes only 3 days to reach point Lenana.
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Point Lenana.
Picture courtesy of Chris 73 / Wikimedia Commons
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Mount Kenya has several peaks; Point Lenana, which is 4,985 metres (16,355 ft), Point Nelion at 5,188 metres (17,021 ft) and the highest Point Batian at 5,199 metres (17,057 ft). See more of Mount Kenya map here http://bit.ly/hv97W0
They are currently at 3,590 metres above sea level. From their locale, they command a 180 km radius vista, from the Aberdares Ranges, the Laikipia plains covering all the way from Mweiga in Nyeri to Lewa Downs, and all the way to the Isiolo hills. 13.04pm
Our trekkers have made good ground. They are just over the Teleki Valley (named after the European explorer, Count Samel Teleki, who was the first white to attempt a climb of this mountain) at an altitude of 4,028 metres above sea level facing the Batian Peak. Their a storm brewing and the afternoon climb looks like it will be wet.
The pictures of the successful trek.
We promised pictures of the trek. Here they are. They are chosen form the different people who took part in the expedition. Hope you enjoy them.
Carla enjoys her ipod in the mountain
Aberdare Ranges, top of the picture. Nyeri is on the farthest left and Nanyuki farthest right. Naru Moru, the group's starting point is in the middle of the picture on the floor of the Rift Valley.
The group poses in the historic Mau Mau caves high up in the mountain. This is where Kenya's freedom fighters would hide during the liberation struggle in the early 1950s.
Having lunch mid-way up the Teleki Valley
Eric poses infront of Lake Mintos high up the mountain.
Stunning! Gabriel Gonzalez, Chairman of Kobos Safaris at Mackinder's camp
Trekking through the moorrland
Within touching distance -well, almost.
Meet the natives; rock hyrax
Sunrise just below Point Lenana
Peter Wandiriani, psyching for the last bit.
Peter Wandiriani hoists the Heritage Hotels flag. Well done mate!
On top of the world
We've conquered! Gabriel Gonzalez, Chairman of Kobo Safaris sits atop Point Lenana. Well done - you are now a Certified Explorer! Kudos from all of us at Heritage Hotels for leading the team in and out safely.
Kenya, our 'Heritage'. Peter Wandiriani and Steve Mwasio of Kobo Safaris hoist the Heritage Flag.
Point Batian from Point Lenana
At the Chogoria Gate..the tired team is happy to finish the trek.
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