Mount Kenya Technical Climb, Nelion and Batian Peak

Pick up from Nairobi airport or Nairobi hotel for transfer to Nanyuki for lunch.

Day at Nanyuki for acclimatization. Overnight at sportmans hotel HB

Leave the hotel by 10:00am together with your guide and porters and drive for approx. two hours to Sirimon Park gate (2,600m). After completing the park entry formalities and enjoying a picnic lunch, begin a 3-4-hour hike through the forested foothills of the mountain.

Today’s walk will see you climb 700m through the bamboo, rosewood and heather zones to Old Moses camp. The forest and bamboo are home to buffalo, elephant, bushbuck and a plethora of bird species.

Dinner and overnight at Old Moses Camp
(3,300m).

A long day leading to the base of the high peaks, as you trek through the moorlands and the Mackinder Valley, with good views of the main peaks and a brief stop for picnic lunch. Total walking time is approx. 7 hours, gaining 900m in altitude.

Dinner and overnight at Shipton’s Hut (4,200m).

Today is an acclimatization day. There will be the option to trek to Hausberg Col for fabulous views and acclimatization, or to Point John, one of Mount Kenya’s lesser peaks, where you can practice rope work and abseiling in preparation for the start of your technical climb to Nelion on the morrow.

Nelion Peak Preparation: Early morning trek (3-4 hours) to reach Point Lenana (4,985m), the trekkers’ summit, in time to watch the sunrise. On a clear day, you can see the snow-capped summit of Mount Kilimanjaro miles away to the south.

Then, continue round and down to Austrian Hut (4,790m) where we
spend the rest of the day preparing for the technical climb of Nelion peak.

Wake up at 4 am and have some tea and biscuits. Take the 2-hour trek to cross the Lewis Glacier and up to the Base of Nelion. Embark on the 6-hour rock-climbing expedition to Nelion Peak (5188 meters).

Traverse the gate of mist to Batian Peak (5199 meters); the highest peak on Mount Kenya. Climb back to the Nelion Peak. Dinner and overnight at Ian Howell Hut (5,100 meters).

Full board

On this day, if the weather was not conducive on the previous day, we proceed to undertake the climbing activities that we might have missed. This day is crucial because of the unpredictable weather in October.

Dinner and overnight either at Howell Hut or Meru Bandas depending on the activities of the day.

Abseil down to the bottom about 9 ropes, 50 meters and then walk to the Austrian Hut (4,790 meters) for Breakfast. Take the descent through the Chogoria route to the Meru Bandas (2,950 meters) for lunch before being picked at the park gate for your transfer to Nairobi.

Arrival Nairobi in the late afternoon and you are dropped off either at your Nairobi Hotel or at Jomo Kenyatta Airport

**For this trip you will need:** * Climbing skins * Poles, Helmet * Goggles * Sunglasses * Avalanche equipment (beacon, probe and shovel) * Crampons * Ice Axe * Rope * Harness * Pulley * Backpack * Water bottle

Rock Climbing Equipment List

Must Have

1. 2 Ropes, each 60 meters in length (size 9 preferably). The ropes have to be in good condition
2. 12 stoppers, (preferably medium sized ones, no. 3 to 6).
3. At least 6 Chamalots or friends, (nos. 3 to 6).
4. 6 Locking binners and 12 regular binners,
5. Minimum 6 runners, Jumas and a cleaning tool,
6. Enough strings or webbing. Bring 6 short and 6 long sewn ones and a several long unsown ones.

Equipment Check List

1. Headlamp
2. Walking pole(s)
3. Sleeping Bag,
4. Gaiters: To keep mud, rocks, and snow out of your boots.
5. Water purification: This is essential as water for drinking is taken directly from mountain streams.
6. Hiking Boots: This is the most important item on the list. You’ll need a comfortable/waterproof pair of hiking boots which offer plenty of support.

Other Check List (Limit Yourself)

1. 1 set of thermal underwear (top & bottom e.g poly plopeline thermos)
2. 1 sleeping bag (rating -0 degree or four seasons goose down sleeping bags)
3. 1 warm jersey puff jacket e.g the North Face Types of Jackets
4. 1 sleeping pad/mat
5. 1 pair of track suit top & bottom
6. 1 light towel
7. 1 polar fleece/down vest
8. 1 pair of light loose fitting cotton trousers
9. 1 waterproof jacket (with a hood) & pants
10. 1 to 2 T-shirts (cotton/wool)
11. 4 pairs of thermal hiking socks
12. 2 pairs of thermal socks liner
13. 2 to 3 pairs of shorts (with pockets)
14. 1 pair of hiking boots
15. 1 wide brimmed hat / baseball cap
16. 1 pair of sneakers/trainers/takkies
17. 1 pair of warm heavy weight gloves/mittens
18. 1 pair of gaiters
19. 1 pair of light weight gloves (inner gloves)
20. 1 bandana
21. 1 pair of sunglasses/mountaineering glasses
22. 1 balaclava
23. 1 wool hat
24. 1 warm scarf

NB: Make sure that your boots are waterproof

Useful Equipment:

1. 2 x 2 litres water bottles (camel bags preferably)
2. 1 head lamp (plus spare batteries & bulb)
3. 1 pair of walking/ski poles
4. 1 pocket swiss army knife
5. 2 – 3 packets of moist towelettes.
6. 1 travel pillow (optional)
7. Personal Items & Toiletries: Toothpaste & tooth brush, body lotion, toilet paper and other personal hygiene items. (Ladies, please carry some sanitary toiletries as being at high altitude may alter your cycle).
8. Photographic (optional): 1 camera (plus spare batteries),film & tripod stand, different lenses, 1 pair of binoculars, video camera, video tapes, battery packs

Cost 2200$ per person Book Now