7
days Mount Kenya rock Climbing Batian:
Africa Natural Safari
AFRICA
NATURAL SAFARI (The best tour company in Tanzania)
Specialized
in: Wildlife safaris, Cultural tourism ,
Beach holidays and
Mountain
climbing
Contact
+255 653 679 958
Go To Mount Kenya has qualified
professional guides who are trained to lead on rock climbing expeditions to
Batian and Nelion on Mount Kenya. The Guides have undergone training .Anybody
intending to Summit Mt Kenya (Batian and Nelion) need to be 5.9 American Standard
climber or hard server European standard. You need at least two days plus
normal hiking time for Batian or Nelion.Climbing Mount Kenya is serious and it
is important to acclimatize well before tackling the main summit.
7 Day Mt Kenya Rock climbing via the North
Face Standard Route.
The
North Face itinerary is suitable for the summer to fall (June – Sept) climbing
season when the North Face of the peak is relatively snow-free and climbing
conditions are best.
Day 1: Nairobi- Mt Kenya Bandas (2,900m)
Depart
from Nairobi at 0800hrs, driving through agricultural country up to Chogoria
town for lunch. After lunch, we take 4×4 and drive up to the edge of the bamboo
forest where we start our trekking through the dense bamboo forest for distance
of 10 km up to the Mt Kenya Bandas.Dinner and overnight at the Mount Kenya
Bandas.
Day 2: Mt Kenya Bandas – Lake Ellis Campsite
( 3,600m) .
After
breakfast and sorting of porter loads we set off up the mountain at a nice and
easy pace A slightly longer walk via Lake Ellis gives scenic views of Mugi,
Ithanguni and the Giants Billiards Table, whilst if we follow the river near
road head, upstream for about 3 km, the foreground scenery and flora is
particularly beautiful.Lunch on the banks of a stream, then it`s time to cut up
the left hand hillside to our camp at about 3,600m, well away from any of the
more touristy areas.
Day 3: Lake Ellis- Minto`s Camp. ( 4,200m) .
Similar
early start. Again well off the beaten track to follow a ridge up the mountain
for about 3 hours to eventually join the tourist track on the normal Chogoria
route at an altitude of about 4,100m. Breath taking views over the Gorges
Valley and back over towards Ithanguni and the Northern Moorland
Lunch
is served at a small stream crossing, before continuing for a further hour to
the Mintos Hut area at 4200m and our night rest.Afternoon is spent relaxing at
camp, though a 10 minute walk to the Temple is well worth the effort. This is a
150 meters vertical cliff that gets its name from the position visitors often
adopt when peering over the edge they look as if they are praying.
Day 4: Minto`s -Shipton Camp (4,200m)
You
rise early and continue your trek up to Top Hut (Austrian Hut) 4800m. From this
Hut you make a final short ascent of Point Lenana, 4985m,. Point Lenana is the
common trekkers Mount Kenya Summit. From this summit you then go straight down
the Northwest side to Shipton`s Camp, passing Harris Tarn.
Day 5: Shipton – Batian (5199m) – Shipton
(Climbing Day)
Ascent
of Batian by the North Face Standard Route. Starting in the early morning dark,
usually between 4 and 5 am, you may climb the first couple of pitches by
headlamp.
The route initially follows a wide couloir which you ascend for some 7 pitches, never harder than 5.7. A bit of easy scrambling brings us to the Amphitheater, a small basin of easy rock part way up the route. Ideally we arrive here by about 7:30 or so, enjoying a short break. Above this is the crux of the route, Firmin’s Tower. There are about 3 difficult pitches, all fairly short, but all in the V grade. Above this, easier terrain leads to a few more pitches and, finally, the west ridge. From this point, we continue on easy, but still exposed, rock to Shipton’s Notch, a prominent gash in the summit ridge. Another pitch, then mixed 4th and easy 5th class rock leads to the airy summit of Batian.You’ll then descend via the same route hopefully hitting Shipton’s Camp before evening dusk for dinner and overnight.
The route initially follows a wide couloir which you ascend for some 7 pitches, never harder than 5.7. A bit of easy scrambling brings us to the Amphitheater, a small basin of easy rock part way up the route. Ideally we arrive here by about 7:30 or so, enjoying a short break. Above this is the crux of the route, Firmin’s Tower. There are about 3 difficult pitches, all fairly short, but all in the V grade. Above this, easier terrain leads to a few more pitches and, finally, the west ridge. From this point, we continue on easy, but still exposed, rock to Shipton’s Notch, a prominent gash in the summit ridge. Another pitch, then mixed 4th and easy 5th class rock leads to the airy summit of Batian.You’ll then descend via the same route hopefully hitting Shipton’s Camp before evening dusk for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Shipton camp- Old Moses Camp (3,300m)
After
breakfast descend to Shiptons camp via Simba col after which you begin a 5 hour
descent via Mackinder`s valley to the Old Moses camp. The descent is gentle and
it offers ample time to enjoy fascinating scenery which includes the moorlands
before reaching the camp.
Dinner
and overnight at the Old Moses camp
Day 7: Old Moses – Nairobi.
After
early morning breakfast, descend for 3 hours to the Sirimon Park gate to catch
a vehicle and transfer back to Nairobi arriving by 16:00 Hrs.
The following items are included in the above prices:
- All transportation to/from the mountain(private)
- All Park fees.
- All food while on the Mountain.
- Accommodation in mountaineering tents
- All guiding services
- Porter support for the climb.
Not included are:
- Personal clothing and equipment
- Tips and gratuities for guides and porters (recommended to be 10 – 15% of climb costs)
- Beverages while not on the mountain
For more information visit www.africanaturaltours.com
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