My bag just got its final approval by the guy who’s leading us up Mt. Kenya. I can’t believe the time here in Kenya is rushing on in such speed; soon I’ll be home again. First I just have to walk up a huge mountain on thursday, thank god we have people carrying our stuff because I would not make it otherwise.
Mom I know my room is a mess but that’s just because I’m packing, so no comments on that please.
Here are some things from the company that is organizing the trip up Mt. Kenya about the trip:
Mt. Kenya is a broad, largely symmetrical volcanic cone with a diameter of about 120km. It was formed between 2.6 and 3.1 million years ago. It is possible that the original volcano was over 7000m in height, more than 2000 meters higher than today. Of the main peaks to the mountain, Batian 5,199m and Nelion 5,188m are only accessible to technical mountaineers, whilst Lenana, 4,985m, is accessible to trekkers.
Day 1, 10th of March 2011
You will be met by the Safari Wilderness Safaris guides and porters at Sirimon Park gate (time will be confirmed closer to the trip ). Once all park fees are paid, porter’s bags are arranged we start the climb. We enter the National Park at 2,440m. From the park gate, we continue by foot to Judmier Camp where the first night can be spent at 3,150m. The vehicles continue from Park gate to camp with all equipment and supplies.
Day 2, 11th of March
Breakfast is served at 0700, after which bags are packed and you leave the campsite on foot, up through the moorland, and the tussock grass. The heather and proteas are quite beautiful, particularly when some of the other flowers are in bloom - gladiolus, kniphofra and senecio. Lunch will be at around 1230. After lunch, you continue the walk towards Liki North 4,000m, arriving early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is spent relaxing in camp and taking optional short walks up the valley towards Tereri and Sendeyo. After an early hot dinner and when you are tired, you retire to your tent for the night.
Day 3, 12th of March
After another hearty breakfast, you will climb up to 4,150m crossing over a large ridge on the way. Then it is back onto the main tourist track for the rest of the walk. Lunch is served an hour and half from Shiptons (the next night’s camp) at a river crossing. After a relaxing lunch, we continue the climb to Shiptons, passing by some caves, to an altitude of 4,200m for the night. The camp is situated below the scree slops leading to the main peaks. In the late afternoon when all the cloud has hopefully cleared, there are great views of the main peaks, along with the route to the summit for the next days walk. An early dinner followed by an early night in preparation for the early start, as you are attempting the summit next day.
Day 4, 13th of March
You are woken at 3 am in the morning with a cup of tea or coffee and a good breakfast. The walk is started during twilight. This allows the group the chance to reach the summit at sunrise. The walk should take about 3 to 4 hrs. Hopefully the final push to the top will be done before the clouds start to move in allowing for celebratory photos of the group victorious on the summit. We depart the peak via the same route, getting back to Shiptons mid afternoon for some food and a rest. From here, we pack up and depart for Judmier Camp. A 4 to 5 hour walk should have you back at Judmier for 3/4pm. After dinner, an early night is on the cards. (The guide might decide to spend tonight higher up on the mountain depending on the groups speed).
Day 5, 14th of March
After a good night’s sleep and breakfast we depart where we spent the previous night (Judmier/ or higher depending) to get off the mountain and back to School. The walk from Judmier to the park gate takes about 2 hours. From the park gate, you say goodbye to the guides and porters, then jump into the bus and head back to school arriving back to for 5pm.
hej
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