Mount Kenya · Chogoria

THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL

The finest line on Africa’s second peak.

Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano sitting on the equator; its main summits, Batian and Nelion, demand rock climbing, while the third, Point Lenana at 4,985 m, is open to trekkers. The Chogoria route is widely held to be the most beautiful: Lake Michaelson in its amphitheatre, the Gorges Valley and a camp at Simba Tarn just below the ridge. We descend by Sirimon to see the mountain from every side.

• Point Lenana, 4,985 m, at dawn
• Lake Michaelson and the Gorges Valley
• Giant lobelias and groundsels of the afro-alpine belt
• The walls of Batian and Nelion at close range

1. 01
   DAY 1 · A 200 km transfer

   Nairobi and the drive to the mountain

   We meet in Nairobi at 1,795 m and drive five hours to the eastern side of the massif and the town of Chogoria at 1,600 m. In the evening we weigh the loads: a porter carries no more than fifteen kilos.

   Overnight: Lodge in Chogoria, 1,600 m
2. 02
   DAY 2 · 10 km, 700 m of climbing

   Through the bamboo forest to the park gate

   We climb through bamboo and podocarpus forest, home to elephant and buffalo, up to the Chogoria gate at 2,950 m. The last hours are on foot, to start letting the body adjust.

   Overnight: Camp at Chogoria gate, 2,950 m
3. 03
   DAY 3 · 9 km, 400 m of climbing

   Meru camp and the heather zone

   We leave the forest for giant heather and climb to camp at 3,300 m. This is where the Gorges Valley opens up and the first giant lobelias appear.

   Overnight: Meru camp, 3,300 m
4. 04
   DAY 4 · 12 km, 900 m of ascent

   Lake Michaelson and Minto’s Hut

   The path runs along the rim of the Gorges Valley, then drops to Lake Michaelson at 3,900 m in its rock amphitheatre. After lunch we climb to Minto’s Hut at 4,200 m.

   Overnight: Minto’s Hut camp, 4,200 m
5. 05
   DAY 5 · 6 km, 450 m of ascent

   Acclimatisation and Simba Tarn

   A short stage to Simba Tarn at 4,620 m, with an easy afternoon walk to 4,700 m. A night at this height is the key to the summit, and we deliberately take our time.

   Overnight: Simba Tarn camp, 4,620 m
6. 06
   DAY 6 · 10 km, 400 m of climbing

   Point Lenana, 4,985 m, at dawn

   Up at three, a little over an hour to the top over rock and the remnants of the Lewis glacier. At dawn the mountain casts its shadow across the plain, with the sheer walls of Batian, 5,199 m, and Nelion alongside. Then down the west side to Shipton’s Camp.

   Overnight: Shipton’s Camp, 4,200 m
7. 07
   DAY 7 · 14 km, 900 m of descent

   Down the Mackinder valley by Sirimon

   We descend the broad Mackinder valley among head-high groundsels to Old Moses camp at 3,300 m. Nearly a kilometre of height goes in a day, and breathing becomes noticeably easier.

   Overnight: Old Moses camp, 3,300 m
8. 08
   DAY 8 · 9 km and a 200 km transfer

   Sirimon gate and the road to Nairobi

   A final nine kilometres of forest to the Sirimon gate at 2,650 m, where the vehicles wait. Lunch in Nanyuki on the equator line, then about four hours to Nairobi.

   Overnight: —