Climbing to 5,199 meters, Mount Kenya is the second tallest mountain in Africa. The scenery surrounding this designated World Heritage Site is breath-taking. It is pristine wilderness with lakes, tarns, glaciers, dense forest, mineral springs and a selection of rare and endangered species of animals, high altitude adapted plains game and unique montane and alpine vegetation. Visitors can enjoy mountain climbing, camping and caving with the mountain’s rugged glacier-clad peaks providing the perfect backdrop.
The mountain offers easy or challenging ascents with superb scenic beauty. Its highest peaks are Batian (5,199 m), Nelion (5,188 m) and Point Lenana (4,985 m).
The climate, flora and fauna on Mt. Kenya varies with altitude. Attractions include pristine wilderness, glaciers, lakes, tarns, and peaks of great beauty, geological variety, forest, mineral springs, falls, rare and endangered species of wild animals, high altitude adapted plains game, unique montane.
Mount Kenya Technical Climbing - Rock Climbing in Kenya
Mount Kenya, Batian summit • 5199m
Difficulty: D, Grade IV, 5.9
Africa second highest peak. Mt Kenya one of the East Africa Mountains that passes along the equator. Mt Kenya climbing Technical climb on Rock Climbing and ice climbing on Mount Kenya
climbing from base of Normal Route direct to top of Nelion and then crossing the gate of mist to Batian and back to Nelion and descend the same way. To the summit is a challenging technical climb.
For the experienced mountain climber, this peak is one of the world great challenges
Mount Kenya in Mount Kenya National park has unique position on the equator offers climbing seasons and route conditions varying with the sun's Position.
A climber doing one of the best ice routes are on the southern side of the mountain and should climb when the sun is in the North between the months of July and September.
However during the same period the east and north sides are the best condition in rock climbing. Conversely when the sun is in the south, south side offers the best rock routes and the North the better ice climbing condition.
Recommended Routes for Technical climbing at Mount Kenya
December-March
Normal Routes, Standard IV: South West Ridge, Standard v (Rock routes)
July-September/October
North Face Standard route, Standard IV (Rock Route)
North Face Sirimon route Approach.
August-December
South-East Face Route. , Standard IV, Ice Window, Standard V (ice routes)
Mid July to end of September
Ice climbing through the 'Diamond Couloir' -
This attempt to the main summit of Point Lenana (4,985 m) is included for people not wishing to attempt the much more difficult twin summits of Mt. Kenya Nelion and possibly Batian. Is technically a much difficult scramble.
The Guide
Our local guide has the knowledge and experience of the climbing routes on Nelion & Batian peaks also with verbal information and local knowledge.
Mt. Kenya technical climb:
Batian and Nelion are arguably the world’s greatest challenge peaks. It requires technical climbing gear and someone with climbing experience from 1V+ grade. The climb takes between 6 to 7 days. You have two options to reach the peaks.
Option 1:
The NORMAL ROUTE(south ridge to Nelion)
This is located on the southern side of the mountain and accessed from the Austrian Hut. It's accessible when the sun is on the south side, and offers the best rock climbing. You’ll need to have prior experience in traditional rock climbing.
SEASON:CHRISTMAS TO MID MARCH.
GRADES:
Standard IV
Time:10 – 12 hours
Option 2:
NORTH FACE STANDARD ROUTE:
This Route is the least difficult and it is direct and accessible from the north side of the mountain. It starts in a rocky couloir in about 7 pitches, then traverses left into the amphitheater. It’s accessed from Shiptons Camp or Kami Hut.
Peaks Climbing Grades
Nelion Peak rises to a height of 5,188 meters/17,021 feet and is rated Grade IV-.Batian Peak rises to a height of 5,199 meters/17,057 feet and is rated Grade IV+.
Best times for technical climbing (rock climbing and ice climbing)
December-March
Normal route:
Standard IV: Southwest ridge
Grade:Standard V
SEASONS:
JULY – OCTOBER
North face standard route
GRADES:
Standard IV,
Southeast face route
Standard IV, ice window
Standard V, ice route( Diamond couloir
Below is a 7-day Program for climbing either Nelion or Batian Peak.
Sirimon Route (descent via Naro Moru Route)
7 days, 6 nights
Day 1:
We’ll drive from Nairobi to the mountain base for acclimatization and overnight.
Destination: Nairobi to Nanyuki
Distance: 194 km/122 miles
Driving Time: 4-5 hour drive
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Naro- Moru River Lodge.
Day 2:
After breakfast, A drive to Sirimon Park Gate Via Nanyuki Town. After check in formalities , start the hike from here and set off up the mountain at a nice and easy pace.
Destination: Sirimon Gate to Old Moses Camp
Elevation: 2,650 meters/8,694 feet to 3,350 meters/10,991 feet
Distance: 9 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 3:
Destination: Old Moses to Shipton’s Camp
Elevation: 3,350 meters/10,991feet to 4,200 meters/13,779 feet
Distance: 14 km/8.7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Early in the morning, follow the trail up via Likii Valley, with Superb views of the Greater North. Follow Mackinders Valley to Shiptons Camp.
Day 4:
Destination: Shiptons Camp to Austrian Hut
Elevation: 4,200 meters/13,779 feet to 4,700 meters/15,429 feet
Distance: 7 km/4.35 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rock and ice
We’ll trek up along the foot of huge rock walls. From the top, we`ll have an excellent views of Mt. Kenya.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5:
We’ll climb the southeast face of Nelion. The trek goes across the Lewis Glacier to the base of the peaks and from the base to the summit of Nelion and Batian Peaks.Climb starts from the southeast face of Nelion and from the base to the summit of Nelion and Batian Peaks.
Destination: Austrian Hut to Nelion and Batian and descent to Austrian Hut.
Elevation: 4,700 meters/15,419 feet to 5,200 meters/17,060 feet
Distance: 12 pitches
Climbing Time: 10 – 12 hours
Habitats: Glacier and rock
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 6:
Destination: Austrian Hut to Met Station
Elevation: 4,300 meters/14,100feet to 3,048 meters/10,000 feet
Distance: 17 km/
Hiking Time: 6 hours
Habitat: Rock and ice
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Descend leisurely to Met Station Camp.
Day 7:
Destination: Met Station to Naro Moru Gate to Nairobi
We’ll descend and celebrate with champagne at the at the Park Gate. Afterwards drive to Nairobi.
Elevation: 3,048 meters/10,000 feet to 1,800 meters/5,905 feet
Distance: 9 km/ 6 miles
Hiking Time: 2 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meals: Breakfast, lunch,
Any Inquire