Conquer Mount Kenya – Where Adventure Meets Unforgettable Memories!
Important things to have before going mountain climbing
It is one thing to think about conquering the heights and a whole other dimension to actually get ready for a mountain climbing trip. Don’t be caught off guard, on top of world’s summits, realizing you’ve just forgot a handkerchief… Like seriously! Here’s a list of important things to bring on your next climbing trip.
For the head and face
Pile or Wool hat: Bring one that covers ears — a balaclava type is excellent.
Shade Hat: Visor hats with good brims are essential for protection from the equatorial sun.
Sunglasses: Essential for eye protection in the tropics and at altitude. Bring a good quality pair, preferably with an IREX protection rating of 100. Attachable side shields are necessary, or bring glacier glasses.
Sunscreen: Bring plenty of complete sun block with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more. Unless you have spent time in equatorial sun you will probably underestimate the amount necessary, so bring lots. Sunscreen is difficult to find in Tanzania.
Lip Balm: With SPF rating of 15 or higher.
Bandanas: Tied around the neck, they give good sun protection. Can also be used for cleaning glasses, as wash cloths, etc. They dry very quickly.
For the upper body
T- Shirts: Two T- shirts that you don¹t mind getting dirty while on the mountain. Synthetic is best — no cotton on summit day.
Upper Body Layers: For climbing the mountain we recommend you have three warm layers for the upper body. Items must be made of wool, synthetic or pile. Make sure all layers fit comfortably over each other and supply good insulation. A good combination is a long underwear top, a sweater, and a pile jacket or heavy wool shirt. Cotton items do not provide adequate insulation and are completely
useless when damp.
Rain Parka: Afternoon showers are common in East Africa, especially on the mountain. Bring a good parka of Gore- Tex or waterproof nylon that has been “seam sealed”.
Wind Shirt: (optional if you have Gore- Tex rain gear) A nylon wind shell (not waterproof), roomy enough to fit comfortably over all upper body layers. Gore- Tex is good for both this wind shirt and for the rain coat.
Poncho: (Optional) Quick and handy protection for body and rucksack. Poor protection in windy rain.
Gloves or Mittens: Wool or pile. One pair of heavy mittens and a light pair of gloves work well.
Mitten Shells: One pair to go over your mittens. These are for use against the winds sometimes encountered in the crater and on the way to the summit.
For the legs
Quick Dry Hiking Shorts: 1 pair. Good for hiking at lower elevations on the mountain.
Long Underwear Bottoms: One pair. Wool or synthetic.
Wool, Bunting or Pile Pants: One pair that fit loosely and is comfortable. These are essential to be worn over the long john bottoms.
Rain Pants: Bring a good pair of rain pants of Gore- Tex or waterproof nylon that has been “seam sealed”.
Wind Pants: (optional if you have Gore- Tex rain pants.) One pair. These are used often on the mountain for protection against wind. They should be breathable nylon and roomy enough to fit comfortably over wool or pile pants.
Tights: Lycra types are best. These are comfortable to hike in, help prevent nettle stings, provide good warmth on cool misty days, dry fast and prevent sunburn.
Undergarments: Enough for the duration of the trek.
For the feet
Thin Socks: Two pair of synthetic socks to wear under heavy wool socks. These help prevent blisters and keep feet dry.
Thick Socks: Six pair of heavy wool or synthetic socks to wear for warmth with hiking boots.
Hiking Boots: One pair medium weight hiking boots large enough to be comfortable with one liner sock and one heavy wool or synthetic sock.
Gaiters: One pair of either high or low gaiters made of breathable material to keep dirt and snow out of your boots.
Tevas, Sandles: These are to wear in camp after a day of hiking.
For sleeping
Sleeping Bag and Stuff Sac: On the mountain temperatures can get down to zero degrees Fahrenheit at night so bring a warm bag.
Sleeping pad: A closed cell foam camping mattress is OK. An inflatable Thermal Rest type is more comfortable.
FOR DRINKING:
Water Bottle: Two, one liter wide- mouthed plastic bottles.
Water Treatment: This is very important. The water in East Africa is not unhealthy although its flora content is different from what you are used to. To keep your system running normally we recommend you bring two bottles of “Potable Aqua” or “Polar Pure”, crystal iodine in a bottle, to treat drinking water. Filtration pumps are also effective, but costly and rather bulky.
Water Flavoring: Wyle’s lemonade, Tang, Gatorade, etc. These mixes are hard to come by in Tanzania and make treated water taste much better. Double bag these.
For carrying your gear
Frameless Pack: A medium size comfortable pack is adequate to carry personal gear. The pack should fit properly and have a good waist belt. Side pockets are recommended for soft packs. Personal loads with camera gear, water for the day and warm clothes are often between 18 and 25 pounds.
Pack Cover: Something waterproof to cover your pack when hiking in the rain. Otherwise bring a large plastic bag to line the inside.
Duffle Bag: Medium size with lock for mountain gear. This will go into our mountain bag that the porters will carry.
Duffle Bag: Large enough to hold your non- mountain gear. This will meet you at the hotel after the climb.
Plastic Bags: Several, to double bag your sleeping bag and clothes on the mountain. It can rain every afternoon.
For Personal health and comfort
Toiletries: Bring enough for entire trip. Keep simple and light. Few toiletries are available in Tanzania, however, so bring enough for all your needs.
Ear Plugs: To block out snoring and hut noise, to insure peaceful rest.
Flashlight and/or Headlamp: Important on summit day and just plain handy in camp. Plenty of batteries.
Pocket Knife: Simple Swiss Army type with scissors.
Personal First Aid and drug Kit: Please see recommended list below.
Trail Munchies: Although plenty of snack food is provided, trekkers like that taste of home in their pack. Touted as an important accessory by those who have brought them in the past!
Hot Drink Mixes: We will provide plenty of coffee, cocoa and tea, but non- caffeinated drinks are not readily available here. Bring a supply of your favorite herbal teas.
Towel: For washing up in camp, a small one is fine, or you can use a bandana.
Towelettes: Such as “Wash’n’Dries” for general hygiene.
Spare Glasses: For contact wearers in dusty conditions and any eyeglass wearer while on vacation.
Umbrella: Very useful against rain and sun. Most guides use one
Download CLIMBER’S CHECK LIST here
Mount Suswa Day Hike
ALT 2356M/7730FT
Mt. Suswa is only 50kms from Nairobi and is described by many as the best day hike from Kenya Capital,this little known yet Massive cratered Volcano is located very close to its well known Sister Mt. Longonot.
Mt.Suswa is one of the most spectacular mountains of the Rift Valley as it comprises a 12kms across double crater system,a vast network of obsidian caves and a variety of wild animals and plants.
Mt. Suswa is a magnificent extinct Volcano in the Rift Valley.It is famous for its many caves on its E slopes.The inner crater is a home for a variety of snakes species.Other wildlife of interest found on or near Mt. Suswa includes Zebra,Giraffes,Mongoose,Turtles,Hyenas and Leopards.
All these caves are easy to access,none are too long or complex and no special skills to explore this system
Trip Itinerary:
We usually depart Nairobi for Mt. Suswa at 6:00am,expected time of arrival is 08:30am,here we start hiking, Bird watching and sites seeing.At 1;00am we take our picnic lunch at one of the caves enroute to the Summit/Mt. Suswa camp.relax at the peak as we photograph and we start descending as we enjoy Game watching.
We usually leave this place around 4;00pm and back to Nairobi.
Rates:(Depends with the number of participants) and includes:
• This includes,
• Packed lunch
• Transport
• Conservancy fee
• Guide fee
• N/B.
It is important to carry water,picnic lunch and high energy snacks and also good hiking equipments for a successful hike.
Mt. Longonot Day Hike
Hiking to the top of the Great Rift Valley will give you the chance to experience the freedom and awesome wilderness of East Africa, and still be home in time for dinner. Mt Longonot is just less than 2780m (9100ft) above sea level with a tree-filled interior and a lonesome steam vent to the northeast. A climb up Mount Longonot is an ideal day trip from either Nairobi or Naivasha.
The trip departs Nairobi at 8am and the journey takes approximately 1 and a half hours. Your start the ascent at 2150m and, like all good uphill hikes, it will lull you into a false sense of security with a slow gentle rise to the first hill. This gives you a chance to get your lungs and limbs freed up for the second section which, in our opinion, is most awesome. At the end of each section there is a rest point where you can prepare yourself for the next part of your journey.
Despite setting off early to avoid the heat of the sun, by the time you reach the end of the second section you will have surely generated your own heat.This hike is not an easy hike but is achievable by people of reasonably good fitness. Once you have finished the second section, you are on the rim of the crater. There is another respite of slightly less demanding terrain, before making the final climb on the fourth section. This again is a demanding section, though not as demanding as the second. As you heave yourself over the rim of the crater you are rewarded with the awesome sight of Naivasha and the Great Rift Valley and a feeling that it was all worthwhile.
NB: Before making this climb you will need to acclimatise at 6000 feet. A ranger accompanies you on the hike as your guide. As there are wild animals in the area, he is armed. The whole trek is only about 8–9 km long but very steep, so much so that the round trip from park gate to the Longonot Peak and back again takes around 5 hours of hiking.
Mount Kinangop Day Hike
Mount Kinangop (or Ilkinangop) is a mountain in the southern Aberdare Range about 100 miles (160 km) north of Nairobi, Kenya. It is within the Aberdare National Park.
A dormant volcano, Kinangop overlooks the Kinangop Plateau to the west and the Great Rift Valley beyond.Kinangop is the second-highest mountain in the Aberdares after Mount Satima.The lower levels of the mountain have extensive bamboo forests. Higher up it is covered by tussock grasses.
The main peak is a rocky outcrop surrounded by open moorlands. Due to the height, temperatures are cool and may drop below freezing at night.The breathtaking beauty of the Aberdares southern moorlands awaits those who go trekking from Njabini to Kinangop peak past the Elephant Hill.
This is probably the steepest trail on the Aberdares range, with an elevation gain of over 1,700m.The trail for this hike starts from Njabini Forest Station at an altitude of about 2,500m above sea level. It traces the Elephant Hill hiking trail all the way to its summit (3,600m asl), before descending sharply for about 200m onto the moorlands that characterize most of the Aberdares mountain range above the tree line.