8-Day Technical Climbing Of Mount Kenya's North Face

Admire the sunrise at the top of Mount Kenya

Batian Peak, Mount Kenya

Highlights

Hike through a tropical forest to reach Old Moses Camp

Go rock climbing from Firmin Tower to Batian Peak

Mount Kenya, Nairobi

mountaineering, nature, camping

Group Tour

8 Days

Challenging

English, French, German, Spanish, Swahili

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.

Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Old Moses Camp 3300 m
- Depart Nairobi for Nanyuki, and proceed to Mt Kenya National Park Sirimon Gate.
- Follow the track uphill for 10 km to Old Moses.
Day 2: Liki North 3993 m
- 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.
Day 3: Shipton’s Camp 4250 m
- 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.
Day 4: Kami Hut 4600 m
- Ascend to Kami Hut, normally taking 2 hrs. This is the base camp for climbers who are doing the North Face.
Day 5: Firmin Tower
- 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.
Day 6: Summit Batian 5199 m to Shipton’s Camp 4250 m
- 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.
Day 7: Meru Bandas 3000m
- 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.
Day 8: Chogoria Gate to Nairobi
- 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

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.

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.

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

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8-Day Technical Climbing Of Mount Kenya's North Face

Highlights

Languages

Description

Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Old Moses Camp 3300 m

Day 2: Liki North 3993 m

Day 3: Shipton’s Camp 4250 m

Day 4: Kami Hut 4600 m

Day 5: Firmin Tower

Day 6: Summit Batian 5199 m to Shipton’s Camp 4250 m

Day 7: Meru Bandas 3000m

Day 8: Chogoria Gate to Nairobi

What's Included

What's Excluded

Know Before You Go

What To Bring

Meeting Point

Cancellation Policy

Price

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8-Day Technical Climbing Of Mount Kenya's North Face

Highlights

Languages

Description

Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi to Old Moses Camp 3300 m

Day 2: Liki North 3993 m

Day 3: Shipton’s Camp 4250 m

Day 4: Kami Hut 4600 m

Day 5: Firmin Tower

Day 6: Summit Batian 5199 m to Shipton’s Camp 4250 m

Day 7: Meru Bandas 3000m

Day 8: Chogoria Gate to Nairobi

What's Included

What's Excluded

Know Before You Go

What To Bring

Meeting Point

Cancellation Policy

Price

Check Availability Hide

Starting from

Can't Find the Perfect Tour? Tailor Your Dream Trip!

Create your own adventure!

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