Climbing Techniques on Mount Kenya's Batian Peak All 21 pitches are completed in one day, making this Mt. Kenya summit not only magnificent but also demanding. This peak is best tackled between June and August. A rest stop on the way to Batian Peak, a big rock climbing task.
The first recorded ascent of Mount Kenya was by David Livingstone in 1866. Since then, many people have tried to climb the mountain, but only about 50 percent of attempts are successful.
There are three main approaches to climbing Mount Kenya: from Nairobi, from the Kipengere Ridge, and via the Malaise Trap. The mountain can be climbed from either direction, but climbers tend to choose either the Nairobi or the Kipengere Ridge routes because they are less difficult than the other options.
Mount Kenya is located in Kenya, east Africa. It is usually referred to as just "Kenya". The mountain is actually two peaks that share the same base area but can be separately identified as North Kenya and South Kenya. North Kenya is the higher of the two, with an elevation of 4,917 meters (16,378 feet). South Kenya is lower at 4,842 meters (15,994 feet). Both peaks are made of volcanic rock that has been eroded over time into fantastic shapes.
Mount Kenya's highest peaks, Batian and Nelion, are among the greatest difficult climbing alpine peaks in the world. Mount Kenya has roughly 35 reported technical climbing routes; this guide will concentrate on some of the more regularly used, guided technical climbing routes. South Ridge to Nelion is the usual route. It is a seven-hour round-trip walk up from the Rongai Valley floor to the summit and back again.
The first thing you need to know about climbing Mount Kenya is that it is not for the faint-hearted. The altitude is high (4,917 m), the temperature can drop below -30°C at night without warning, there are no shelters on the mountain, and only a few people each year attempt the ascent. Because of this, all climbers must register with the police station in Rongai before they go any further than that town's gate. The fee is $50 per person.
There are two main approaches to climb Mount Kenya. One is from the Southern side through Rongai village and onto the Guiding Center where you will meet up with the other climbers who have arrived before you. The other is from the Northern side through Kibo and then across the mountain to reach Rongai. This second approach is usually done as a day hike from Kibo and requires a permit from the National Park office in Nairobi.
Mount Kenya contains three major summits, the two largest of which are Batian (5199m) and Nelion (5188m). The third peak, Point Lenana (4,985m), is a trekking peak, and while it is obviously a challenge, and if you're new to trekking, camping, and altitude, you may suffer, Mount Kenya is not recommended for inexperienced climbers.
The climate on Mount Kenya is generally consistent with other parts of Kenya, although the region experiences several changes in temperature throughout the year. The highest temperatures occur near the top of the mountain, where it can get very cold at night. By day, however, it is usually quite warm, with temperatures often rising above 40°C during the afternoon thunderstorms. It is important to be prepared for all conditions when climbing Mount Kenya, as there are no facilities or supplies at any point along the way. There is also no route-finding equipment available for use by hikers; instead, they must rely on their own sense of direction to find their way around obstacles such as dead ends and drop-offs.
The main trail up Mount Kenya starts from the Rongai area, about 120 kilometers north of Nairobi. This is a fairly easy journey of about five to six days, depending on how fast you walk. There are various ways to split up this trip into more manageable segments, but for the most part, the trail follows the Rongai River, which provides water for hundreds of farmers each season.
15,000 guests The bulk of the national park's 15,000 tourists each year ascend its mountain. In comparison, only about 200 people climb Nelion and 50 climb Batian, the two highest summits. Because Mount Kenya is barely 10 miles from the equator, its climbing seasons are unusual. The weather is usually good, but it can be hot and dry in summer and cold and snowy in winter.
Why do people climb Mount Kenya? It is because it is there. This world-class hiking mountain is the highest point in Africa and offers some of the most stunning views in all of East Africa. The variety of ecosystems, from tropical rainforest to alpine tundra, are a major draw for wildlife watchers. Climbers gain access to remote areas of the mountain that are rarely visited by others.
What routes have been done on Mount Kenya? There are actually several different ways to scale this mountain, but the three most popular methods are the Southern Route, which starts at Malindi on the Indian Ocean; the Western Route, which begins in Embu County near Nairobi; and the Northern Route, which starts in Garissa County on the coast.
Routes are ranked as easy, moderate, or difficult. The easiest route is the Maasai Trail, which is mostly downhill along old migration paths used by the Maasai people when they moved their livestock.
Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano, with glaciers crashing over old lava and snow-capped summits. The two highest summits, Batian (17,057ft/5,199m) and Nelion (17,021ft/5,188m), are almost vertical in places and are considered tough climbs. All in all, it is one of the most challenging mountains to climb in Africa.
Its name comes from the Kikuyu word miji wa nyumba yake, which means "mother of clouds".
Mount Kenya is located in western Kenya, near the border with Tanzania. Part of the Virunga Range, it forms a barrier between Lake Victoria and the Indian Ocean. Two thirds of the mountain is covered by forest, with the rest being used for pasture.
The climate of Mount Kenya is generally consistent with that of other high-altitude regions of Africa and the world at large: cold during the day but relatively warm at night. The altitude affects the weather: as you rise above the tree line, there is less moisture in the air, so it can be dry even in the rainy season. It usually rains only at certain times of year, and not every day. During these periods, storms can hit the mountain without warning or cease suddenly.
Summit views are breathtaking: on a clear day, you can see all the way to the Indian Ocean.
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