Mount Kenya Technical Climb South East Ridge To Nelion & Batian(7 days)
Overview
The preferred route on Nelion is the MacKinders route. This is a 5th class rock route to a maximum difficulty of 5.6. There are easier sections where the party can move together, but typically, some 17 plus pitches are belayed. The descent is by the same route, with a few of the rappels taking more direct lines down the cleaner rock. This is a fun route, on generally good rock, sunny. Rock shoes are appropriate. Approach boots can be left at the base of the route. Though still long, this route is considered to be easier than the North Face Standard Route on Batian. With better rock and a sunnier position, it is also more fun.
The climbing season is usually November through March when the southeast face of the Nelion peak is relatively snow-free and climbing conditions are best.
To give you a clearer picture of the trip, kindly see below an itinerary for the entire climb.
TRIP DETAILS
Climbing Difficulty and Grade- USA 5.6 or a British V.S or a South African 16
Best Time of Year- December-March
Distance to the Summit– 39kms
Longest Trekking day- 6-7hours
Climbing time for the ascent of Nelion- 4-6hours, extra time to Batian – 4hours
Descent time- 5-7 hrs
Altitude at the Start of the trek- 2700m, 8,860ft
Altitude at the Summit- 5,199m, 17,057ft Summit- Batian
7 Day Mt Kenya climb Chogoria – Naro Moru Traverse.
Included/Exclude
- Guarantee price/guarantee trek on confirmation.
- Transfer to and from the base of the mountain
- Full board accommodation whilst on the trek.
- Meal plan as detailed: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
- Accommodations in camps/huts as per the itinerary
- All park entrance fees to include government taxes
- Services of a professional guide, porters and skilled cook
- Treated water on the trek.
- Start and finish Nairobi
- Training cost and purchase of mountain gear.
- Emergency evacuation cover USD. 25.00 from rescue.co
- Meals outside the mountain
- Other Items not mentioned above
- Accommodation before/after the trek
- Trekking gears
- Tips
- Items of personal nature
- Airport transfers
- Visa and International flights
Tour Amenities
Tour Plan
Depart from Nairobi at 0600hrs, driving through agricultural country up to Chogoria town for lunch. After lunch, we take 4x4 and drive up to the edge of the bamboo forest where we start our trekking through the dense bamboo forest for a distance of 10 km up to the Mt Kenya.
Dinner and overnight at the Mount Kenya Chogoria campsite
After breakfast and sorting of porter loads we set off up the mountain at a nice and easy pace A slightly longer walk via Lake Ellis gives scenic views of Mugi, Ithanguni, and the Giants Billiards Table, whilst if we follow the river near road head, upstream for about 3 km, the foreground scenery and flora is particularly beautiful.
Lunch on the banks of a stream, then it's time to cut up the left-hand hillside to our camp at about 3,600m, well away from any of the more "touristy" areas.
Similar early start. Again well off the beaten track to follow a ridge up the mountain for about 3 hours to eventually join the tourist track on the normal Chogoria route at an altitude of about 4,100m. Breath-taking views over the Gorges Valley and back over towards Ithanguni and the Northern Moorlands.
Lunch is served at a small stream crossing, before continuing for a further hour to the Mintos Hut area at 4200m and our night's rest.
The afternoon is spent relaxing at camp, though a 10-minute walk to the "Temple" is well worth the effort. This is a 150 meters vertical cliff that gets its name from the position visitors often adopt when peering over the edge - they look as if they are praying.
Today we begin our trek ascending up along the foot of huge rock walls.
From the top, we`ll have an excellent view of Mt. Kenya. After ascending for a couple of hours you reach Tooth Col. From here you traverse until you reach the Austrian Hut for dinner and overnight.
Leave at 4.00 am for predawn attempt, climbing for 1 hour across bare rock and scree slopes characteristic of the alpine region up to Pt Lenana - the hiker`s summit, arriving in time to catch the African sunrise. Descend back to Austrian camp for breakfast and a short rest.
Acclimatization day
Attempt Batian Peak & Attempt Nelion Batian Peaks
- 2.00am Depart Austrian Hut for the high Peaks
- 9.30am: Arrive Nelion
- 1.30pm: Arrive at Batian
- 2.00pm Start your descent
- 6.00 pm Descend to Mackinders Hut
(CLIMBING DAY) southeast Face of Nelion/Batian
After breakfast, you will start your way down Met Station Camp where we finish your hike. Along the trail, just turn and look back to where you came from a clear line of the Mount Kenya Batian Climb from Teleki Valley. You are expected at the Met Station at 11.00am board our transfer vehicle to Nairobi
- Mackinders camp=4300m above sea level
- Walking time:(Mackinders- Met station) 6-7h
- Distance-11km
- Lunch
Note:
- The climb is very dependent on the weather especially when climbing Nelion & Batian
- The final call on the safety of the climb is on the climbing guide. A guide may call off the climb if the weather is not conducive
Bookings;
For reservations, please pay a deposit of 30% for confirmation and clear the remaining balance 3 days before starting date.
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