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Home8-Day Technical Climbing Of Mount Kenya's North Face
Description
Get to the second-highest African peak with ease through the scenic trekking and climbing trails of North Face. It is a technical climber option for those with a bit more experience beyond just trekking and those who would like to try a more challenging adventure beyond the common point of Lenana that's easily reached by most trekkers.
Highlights
- Hike through a tropical forest to reach Old Moses Camp
- Go rock climbing from Firmin Tower to Batian Peak
Itinerary Expand All Collapse All
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Day 1: Nairobi to Old Moses Camp 3300 m expand_more
Depart Nairobi for Nanyuki, and proceed to Mt Kenya National Park Sirimon Gate.
Follow the track uphill for 10 km to Old Moses.
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Day 2: Liki North 3993 m expand_more
Follow the trail around the head of a large valley, crossing several small streams to reach the crest of the ridge between the Otulili and Liki North Valleys.
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Day 3: Shipton’s Camp 4250 m expand_more
Ascend the west side of the valley, over a ridge, then down into the Mackinder Valley to meet the direct route.
Follow from here to Mackinder Valley.
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Day 4: Kami Hut 4600 m expand_more
Ascend to Kami Hut, normally taking 2 hrs. This is the base camp for climbers who are doing the North Face.
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Day 5: Firmin Tower expand_more
Embark the ascent of Batian by the North Face Standard Route. Starting in the early morning dark, usually between 4 and 5 am, we may climb the first couple of pitches by headlamp. This section is rocky and frozen scree.
Start climbing 10 ropes, spending the night at Firmin Tower.
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Day 6: Summit Batian 5199 m to Shipton’s Camp 4250 m expand_more
Continue rock climbing from Firmin Tower until you reach Batian Peak at 5,199m, at around midday
Abseil down to the bottom and walk to Shipton’s Camp for dinner and overnight.
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Day 7: Meru Bandas 3000m expand_more
Ascend Simba col, then down to Meru Mount Kenya Bandas above Chogoria, following the Gorges Valley. It will take 7 hours to reach the bandas.
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Day 8: Chogoria Gate to Nairobi expand_more
Continue walking down through the bamboo and indigenous forest to Bairunyi to meet up with your transport back to Nairobi.
What's Included
Return transfer Nairobi -Nanyuki/Chogoria-Nairobi
3 meals per day while trekking
8 days Mt. Kenya trek
7 nights accommodation while trekking
2 transfer from Nanyuki/Chogoria- park gate- return
All government park fees
English-speaking Mt Kenya mountain guides and porters & experienced chefs
Accommodation at Nanyuki Simbas Lodge D/B/B
Mt Kenya certificate for successful climbers.
Two man camping tent, although mountain banda/hut available at an extra for those who want to upgrade.
What's Excluded
First and last night accommodation in Nairobi
Travel & medical insurance, but can be arranged at guest request and expenses
Tips and gratuities for the guide, porter's and other service staff (optional but recommended)
All optional tours, excursions and activities diverting from the main itinerary
Soft drinks but tea, coffee and drinking water is provided
All flights, cabs and shuttle services not featured in the itinerary
What to bring
- Lists of Climbing Gears/Kits
- Technical Climbing Gear (Recommended minimum items)
- The weather can vary hugely, but commonly you would climb in quite a few layers.
- For example, a base layer, insulated Gillet, softshell jacket, hardshell jacket, thin softshell trousers, hat under your helmet, liner socks inside your climbing shoes and possibly close-fitting fingerless gloves. You may also need to throw on a warm belay jacket at stances.
- Mount Kenya Technical Climbing Kits Checklist. This kit list is specifically for those planning to climb the technical peaks of Batian and Nelion.
- Climbing Hardware
- Pair of 50m half or twin ropes
- Climbing harness
- Helmet (& warm hat/balaclava to fit under it)
- Rock shoes (recommended not to have too tight a fit and consider wearing thin socks inside)
- Belay/rappel plate to suit double rope above
- 3 HMS Karabiners
- 2 locking Karabinas
- 4+ short slings
- 2x Prussic loops
- Nuts/wires size 1-9
- Cams size approx 0.5, 1.5, 2.5 (more if you have them) to suit cracks approx 20-50mm wide
- 5 long quickdraws/extenders with snap gates
- Small (- 25L) climbing pack; Large enough for a spare warm belay jacket, gloves/mitts, emergency bivvy/blizzard bag,
- 1 Litre of water, sweets, chocolate, camera.
- Note, for a crossing of the gate of the mists between Batian and Nelion, B1 boots, crampons, and an ice axe may be required, subject to snow/ice conditions.
- Bags
- 80-100 litre duffle bag (optional but useful before climb & to leave gear at the hotel)
- 65-75 litre rucksack (for a porter to carry your main gear)
- Waterproof rucksack cover
- Small waterproof stuff sacks
- Outer Shell
- Large, lightweight umbrella (can usually buy in Kenya)
- Waterproof shell jacket
- Waterproof shell trousers
- Waterproof gaiters
- Outer - Warm
- Warm Insulated Jacket (fleece/insulated)
- Mid-Layers
- Microfleece/woollen top(s)
- Softshell jacket (optional but useful)
- Insulated Gillet (optional but useful)
- Trekking trousers (synthetic) zip-off ones are good x2-3
- Shorts (to cover thighs)
- Base-Layers
- Long sleeve base layer top(s) (synthetic)
- Leggings/Running tights (optional)
- Underwear (synthetic dries quicker!)
- Head-Wear
- Warm hat (to cover ears)
- Buff (optional but very useful)
- Wide-brim sun hat or cap with neck veil
- Sunglasses
- Hands
- Thick insulated gloves or mitts
- Thin liner gloves (optional but useful)
- Footwear
- Liner socks (optional)
- Good trekking socks
- Waterproof trekking boots (NOT trekking shoes)
- Trainers/ general shoes/ flip-flops/ sandals
- General Travel/City Clothing (left at the hotel)
- General sweatshirt/tops
- General T-shirts/shirts etc x2-3
- General socks x4-5
- Underwear x4-5
- Sleeping
- 3-4 season sleeping bag (comfort -5deg C or lower)
- Sleeping bag liner cotton/fleece/silk (optional)
- Waterproof stuff sack for a sleeping bag
- Thick foam mat or self-inflating mat
- Electrical
- LED headtorch & spare batteries
- Watch with light and alarm
- Camera, memory card & batteries (optional)
- Solar charger (optional)
- Old unlocked phone handset (optional)
- Paperwork Etc
- Passport
- Photocopies of passport
- Flight details
- Student card (if relevant)
- Insurance policy details
- Yellow Fever cert. (if relevant)
- Waterproof wallet for papers
- Cash/bank cards
- Notebook/Diary Pencil + Biro (optional)
- Books, Maps & Information (optional)
- Cards / Games (optional)
- Repair Kit (optional but useful)
- Gaffer / Duck tape
- Superglue
- Cable ties
- Needle + extra strong thread
- Multitool/penknife
- Eating/Drinking
- 2x 1-litre drinks bottles
- Favourite high-energy snacks/ energy drink powder
- Others:
- Toilet roll in plastic bag + spare bag
- Earplugs (optional but recommended!)
- Trekking Hardware
- Walking poles (optional but useful)
- Personal Wash Kit
- Antibacterial hand gel
- Wet wipes (optional)
- Toothbrush with cover
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo and or shower gel
- Deodorant
- Shave Kit + mirror (optional)
- Clothes wash liquid (optional)
- Personal Medical Kit (suggested contents)
- Paracetamol tablets
- Ibuprofen (tablets/gel)
- Antiseptic wipes
- Latex gloves
- Adhesive plasters
- Blister plasters
- Zinc tape
- Crepe bandage
- Sterile dressing
- Antihistamines (optional)
- Rehydration sachets
- Antiseptic cream
- Sunblock cream
- Lip salve (with SPF)
- Knee/Ankle support
- Personal medications, e.g. Anti-Malaria Tablets, Inhalers, Epipen etc.
Know before you go
- You can hire some of the equipment available at a reasonable cost.
- You can extend the climb with a safari either camping or lodge or beach holiday.
- We ensure clients get enough and plenty of well-cooked food.
Meeting Point
Nairobi, Kenya| Nanyuki Mount Kenya| Nakuru
Cancellation Policy
For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.Price Details
| Persons | |
| 1 To 2 | USD 1880 Per Person |
| 3 To 4 | USD 1840 Per Person |
| 5 To 6 | USD 1800 Per Person |
| 7 To 9 | USD 1750 Per Person |
This is a group tour | |
| Private Tour Price | USD 2274 |
| Maximum no. of people | 10 |