MT KENYA ASCENT

Our Clients’ Reviews

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  Phil Brookes

  MT KENYA ASCENT

  

  Written February 2012

  Superb trek, well led by great local guides Francis and John. Very warm welcome from Patrick, MD of local company 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The celebratory Tusker beer at Old Moses Camp the evening of the successful ascent day!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Francis, what a guy! Knows the mountain like the back of his hand, flexible with arrangements when asked by clients, led a gr8 teams of cooks, porters and support staff

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  DON'T bother with antimalarials if you are only doing the basic trip - obvioulsy needed if you are off to the bush for safari after, or heading to Mombasa beach.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Just do it!

   
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  Matthew Handford

  MT KENYA ASCENT

  

  Written September 2011

  For an 8 day trip, this was a real adventure.  Although primarily about reaching the summit of Mount Kenya, I thought travelling about 150 miles across the centre of Kenya, and back into the centre of Nairobi, was a really interesting experience - a panorama of people, animals, the Kenyan landscape and East Africa. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  It is difficult to get away from reaching the summit of Mount Kenya, after the amount of effort involved.  Getting up at 2.00am, heading up scree slopes in the dark using head torches, reaching the Austrian hut before the final push to the summit, being on the top as the sun comes up.

  I also really liked seeing some of the animals on this trip.  There were groups of Colubus monkeys and baboons moving along the dusty drive way, on our return to Montain Rock lodge.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  We had two leaders; Francis and Caesar, who I thought co-ordinated activities pretty well.  They knew how to control both us and the cooks and porters too.  They had a lot of local knowledge about flora and fauna.  Most importantly, they handled the most dangerous bits of the ascent with skill and a responsible attitude.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  For me, a key thing would be to consider an extra day on the end of this trip.  It builds to a 14 hour ascent day, followed by half a day back across Kenya in a Landcruiser, before the overnight flight home.  I found this combination tiring.

   Generally, one has to be prepared for a lot of exertion and to be disciplined in combating altitude sickness i.e. make sure to drink 4 litres of water per day and rest up as appropriate.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  A great trip, which could be seen as an introduction to a longer adventure at high altitude, such as Kilimanjaro ascent.

   
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  colin harrow

  MT KENYA ASCENT

  

  Written July 2011

  A great experience but harder than the impression given from the daily height gains shown in the trip notes. There's a lot of additional ups and downs involved.  This isn't just trekking straight up a mountain. Several people in the party who've done Kilimanjaro said Mount Kenya was more beautiful, varied and difficult and required a wider variety of mountaineering skills. The trip notes for the final two days need to be revised as they don't reflect the situation on the ground.    

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  This is a really beautiful mountain and the final scramble to the summit is exhilarating if a bit unexpected and hairy! The surrounding scenery through which the acclimatisation treks are completed is also beautiful with valleys and tarns reminscent of the Lake District enhanced by several thousand meters. Although it may sound a little exaggerated, in comparing Mount Kenya to Kilimanjaro one of the guides commented that if the latter was Africa's Everest the former was its K2.  I understand what he means.    

  What did you think of your group leader?

  The group leader Francis and his sidekick Ceasar, who was particularly good on local flora and fauna, made sure we were well and steadily prepared for any problems with altitude sickness which was vital on this sort of trip which after all is only five days from arrival to summit.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  I went in July and although you actually cross the equator on the trip up from Nairobi to the first mountain hut do remember it is really cold on the summit. Gloves, fleeces, down jackets or the equivalent windproof outer gear are essential.  And do be prepared for some long and arduous treks up and down the sides of some pretty steep valleys before you get to the final ascent. Over the course of five day's trekking you are probably looking at covering a total ground distance of around 70 kms, and although gaining a straight up, top to bottom equivalent of 3,000 metres from start point to summit there is considerably more total height gained if you add in all the ups and downs of getting to Mackinder's camp which is the final set off point for the summit.

  Many summiteers start their ascent from Shipton's camp but for good reasons of acclimatisation this trip takes you on a grueling trek round the mountain to Mackinder's. The scenery is spectacular but although the total start to finish height gain for the day is less than 100 metres your legs tell a different story as you have also ascended the Hausberg Col at 4,600 meters and then come down again in order to reach your destination.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Okay, so maybe it was harder than I expected. But the sense of achievement at having done it more than compensated for any additional effort expended. However I would have appreciated an extra day of R&R in Nairobi at the end of it in order to enjoy a proper celebration dinner with the really great group who helped me achieve it. 

  Exodus Response

  The trip notes have been revised for 2012 as we now ascent via a different route to that used in 2011. The path for the final ascent to the summit had  become unpredictable underfoot especially when it has snowed a day or two before any ascent. The park authorities had promised to put up a cable for trekkers to support themselves with, but this has not happened at the time of writing, so we now ascent via an alternative route.

   Nick Nikolsky - Trip Manager

  
  

  - Exodus Staff

   
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  Neil Munro

  MT KENYA ASCENT

  

  Written February 2010

  An ideal trip, especially if you fancy a challenge and something different but can only get away for a week. Group members who had done Kili recently felt that overall this was a more demanding trek but also a more rewarding one because of the splendour and variety of the scenery. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Not difficult - reaching the top! I hadnt appreciated that it would be a bit of a clamber over the final stages but that only enhanced the feeling of having climbed a mountain. We had clear skies and perfect conditions for the sunrise and the annular eclipse and it really felt like a little bit of magic.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Actually we didnt really have a single group leader so much as a number of guides pretty much on equal terms. They managed to get all of us up to the top at our own pace - no mean feat! -  but it would have been better to have a single person who clearly had overall responsibility.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The mountain huts were quite basic and cramped and above all very cold. So do take plenty of warm clothing - I was perfectly kitted out for the hiking but could have done with some extra layers for the huts. Perhaps I had been spoiled by the tea houses on Himalayas treks but I did feel these huts could have been made more welcoming.

  Also I suggest taking dollars in small denominations for tipping the support staff. The tradition is to give each person an individual tip so if everyone pitches up with $50 bills that makes life very complicated!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I guess the lack of comfort and cramped conditions could be an issue but these were made up for a hundred times over by the magnificence of the scenery and the real sense of acheivement in getting up to the top. All in all a magnificent experience

   
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  Jacqueline Fowler

  MT KENYA ASCENT

  

  Written September 2009

  This was the first time that I had travelled with Exodus. lThe organisation for the trip was thorough and despite it being a group holiday it felt personnally tailored, i.e being picked up and dropped off in Nairobi at a friend's house. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Reaching the top of Mt kenya as there had been times when I thought I wouldn't get there!

  The standard and quality of food that the team turned out each and every day.

  Elephant and eland spotting from Old Moses camp!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  The guides were attentive and keen to ensure that all group members were feeling okay, particularly important in light of the altitude. They were knowledgeable about the wildlife, fauna and Mt kenya and I felt safe in their care. 

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  As described in the trip notes the accomodation is basic. If you are not used to sleeping in  a dormitory you might find this affects your sleep. Most people in our group did not sleep brilliantly although this would have been in part due to the altitude.

  The Thursday is a very long day. You have the ascent to the top of Mt Kenya - a four and a half hour walk, followed by the descent - not as long but steep. After breakfast you retrace your steps back to Old Moses hut so a further 4-6 hours depending on your speed.

  This is not for the faint-hearted. you do need to have the fitness and stamina to complete this walk. 

  Take binoculars if you have them!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  We were due to stay at Old Moses hut on the Thusrday night, walking down to the gate on the Friday morning. However, because someone in our group had been suffering with the altitude and generally feeling unwell we transferred down to Mountain Rock lodge for the Thursday night. A much better plan - able to have a shower and a celebratory beer!!

   Also on the way out of the park we saw elephant, zebras, baboons - so a mini game drive! 

   
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  brendan O'Neill

  MT KENYA ASCENT

  

  Written March 2009

  with 2 overnight flights this really packs a lot into a short time - great if you can only get away for a few days and want to achieve something worthwhile. i travelled with others who had already walked up kilimanjiro and the concensus was that mount kenya was more spectacular and possibly moredemanding. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  has to be the views around point lenena!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  great, full of knowledge - managed the group well. kept us well informed

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  you DONT need a sleeping mat for this trip - all accomodation was in lodges in bunks with adequate matresses. on the last day you reach mountain lodge and get lunch, but more importantly a good shower before you get to the airport (you will have had little chance to wash much the past 4 days - part of the experience). the food is very reasonable considering someone has to carry it all up for you, and there is plenty of it.