Tour Guide, Nairobi, Kenya
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1. Fitness, Altitude, and Safety on Climbing Mount Kenya.
Climbing Mount Kenya is very accessible and therein also lies a problem. With a decent level of fitness, it is easy to climb an altitude quickly and then on the night before summiting, you might feel a throbbing headache and all the symptoms of acute mountain sickness. Trekking with a good experienced guide, taking a sensible easy pace and keeping hydrated makes all the difference. The best approach is always to allow extra time for your ascent, an extra day at Shipton’s Camp takes all the pressure of the itinerary and gives you time to enjoy the fabulous trekking around the peak. Generally speaking, it isn’t necessary to undergo a grueling fitness regime prior to attempting Mount Kenya, anyone who is trek fit and is comfortable walking 6-8 hour per day should be fine.
2. Climbing Mount Kenya Guides, Porters, and Cooks.
The trekking crew will usually consist of a guide, cook, porter for the cooking gear plus a personal porter per trekker. It has been said before, but a good experienced guide is so important on Mount Kenya, for two reasons; (a) they will regulate your pace, be able to draw on their experience to diagnose altitude sickness symptoms and have the confidence to make critical decisions and (b) their knowledge of the wildlife and fauna on the mountain will make the environment alive. All guides and porters must be registered with Kenya Wildlife Services and hold a mountain guide park from Mt. Kenya National Park. It is fair to say that all the guides will have good knowledge of the routes, but only the good guides will have wildlife knowledge and experience of dealing with altitude sickness problems.
Climbing Mount Kenya, Mt Kenya Trekking Routes,Mount Kenya Route Options.
There are 5 main Climbing Mount Kenya Routes to the Peak.
Mount Kenya Climbing The Sirimon Route:
Sirimon route is the most popular ascent as the altitude gain is nice and steady and it offers one of the most beautiful approaches to the peaks. Allow a minimum of 2 nights to peak when ascending, although we recommend spending an extra night at the last camp (Shipton’s) on the way up.
Mount Kenya Climbing The Burguret Route:
If you want to avoid the crowds, then Burguret is the best route. You’ll be hiking through the pristine rainforest on this little-used route, overnighting at wilderness campsites. Going up this route is challenging, it is little more than a game track in places, often muddy and rough under foot. Burguret is usually combined with a Chogoria or Sirimon route descent. Allow a minimum of 3 nights before peak when ascending.
Mount Kenya Climbing The Naro Moru Route:
Naro-Moru is the most popular descent route, fast and easy (at least on the way down!). Naro Moru passes through the notorious vertical bog section which gets much waterlogged in the rainy seasons. The vegetation is at its most striking on this route. It can be descended in one very long day, usually done in two days and one night.
Climbing Mount Kenya The Chogoria Route:
If you have more time then choose dramatic Chogoria over Naro Moru for the descent. The Chogoria route passes by tarns,waterfalls, and an incredible gorge. Allow two or three days for your descent.