Mount Kenya

Two days ago saw the completion the most challenging adventure of my relatively-short life – climbing Mount Kenya. While Mt. Kenya’s main peak is the second highest in Africa (next to Mount Kilimanjaro), our group reached the third-highest peak of Mt. Kenya, Point Lenana which does not require technical gear or experience. Our six day trek took us up the Sirimon Route and down Chogoria, reaching the 16,335 foot (4,985 meter) summit of Point Lenana just in time for the sunrise on January 5th. Below are my transcribed notes, taken on a piece of scrap paper I was using as a bookmark…

Day 1: Miserable would be an understatement. Soaked to the skin on the bottom half. Serious considerations of saying fuck this and turning back. To Old Moses camp.

Day 2: Could not have had better luck. Perfect hiking weather. Afternoon showers started immediately after we had arrived at camp and all tents were pitched. Hope all other days are like this. To Likii Valley camp.



Day 3: To Shipton’s camp at 13,800 feet. Long day, 9 km – but great hiking. Finally got water proof pants – made a world of a difference. Extremely enjoyable day and beautiful valley hike.

Day 4: Summit day; 4,985 meters. Woke at 1:45am, reached Lenana Point by 6:30am for an icy sunrise over the clouds. Arguably the most physically challenging experience of my life. Great day at Mintos camp – power nap, hike to the Temple cliff, rock skipping at the tarn. “Everything is going to be so boring and ugly after this week.” (fellow PCV and climber Nik)



Day 5: 17 km downhill. Stayed in bandas at Chogoria gate. Dreading going back to reality. Relieved to find there was no service when I turned on my cell phone – immediately turned it off again.

Day 6: These words, spoken by another PCV and climber Dan, sum up my emotions about the experience perfectly… “I feel like more of a person than I did last week.”