The itinerary described below is that which many of our clients use, however weather conditions, client fitness, and other factors, may require that we alter timings and route, indeed many clients request slightly different routings etc or to stay longer in particular area.
We are also able to offer clients the choice of different guides to suit different requirements or budgets.  These range from our own locally trained guides, to a European guide holding the UK MLTB Mountain Leader (ML) Award, through to the company’s founder  - a climber of international experience.

What is it like climbing the mountain
Do not underestimate this mountain. Mt kenya is big and the whole excersise is HARD WORK. Probably harder excercise than anything you’ve done since you left school. You will certainly be cold at times. Worse, you may get soaking wet in rain or sleet. At higher altitudes (+400m) 50% of the group are likely to suffer from a headache. Some may feel sick/vomit. You will discover muscles you didn’t know you even had and at times you will consider yourself a prime candidate for the luntic asylum. But don’t worry this is quite normal on such a mountain. Console yourself with the thought that most others with you are feeling the same way, and often worse and that it can’t go on forever.

Stage by Stage

2000m to 3000m.
The walk is like the beginning of a novel to start with, with very interesting scenary and if you leave early it is quiet and adds a tranquil atmosphere to the walk. By 11am it has started to warm up so you are likely to be sweating. Your legs will start to feel the strain of non stop up-hill walking and your calf muscles ache. A sit down every 30 -40 minutes will be welcome. On reaching the first night camp just by the start of the moorland , a warm cup of tea or coffee revives you rapidly and within an hour you feel almost normal.
Pulse rate between 100 and 120bpm to be expected.

3000m to 4000m
You should have slept very well. Breakfast tasted great, your somewhat stiff but this is likely to soon wear off once you get walking.  The first couple of hours are again very pleasant, the vegetation and scenery changes are spectacular. After that section the walk becomes a bit of a drag.. and you may have a couple of blisters forming so make sure you take care of them. Your walking pace will be slower than yesterday. Once at the hut if you have not worn sunglasses during the walk you might have a mild headache.  You are likely to have lost your appetite  but it is important to eat. You may suffer from cramp at night or at rest so eating some salt will help with this. Sleeping can also be difficult.
Pulse rate between 100 to 130bpm with heavier breathing.

4000m to summit
Getting up at 3am to summit isn’t bad; afterall you probably havn’t slept much. You put on the clothes that you have but you are still half frozen with the cold. The tea and biscuits you force down don’t seem to taste very nice and don’t be surprised if you bring it up again (vomit) after which you will probably feel 100% better. Unlike the previous day it’s now scree slopes to Lenana, with one foot after the other if the scree is still frozen if not its 2 up and 1 down. The question 'why am I doing this' is frequently asked at this point. You continue up the scree. Lenana is just a stones throw away but yet it doesn’t seam to get any closer. One foot after the other you make the summit and the question of 'why you are doing this' is answered. You will be greeted with breath taking views (if you are not in cloud cover) and feel an overwelming sense of achievement.

The Descent
Having left Lenana, the walk / run / slide back down the scree is either exhilarating or plain exhausting. The further you go down the thicker you can feel the air becoming.  Now that it is daylight you can see the full horror of the scree slopes, and you wonder how anybody, let alone yourself ever made it up.  On reaching the camp, food is either the last thing on your mind or a welcome site. It is important to eat as you will need your energy for the long walk ahead of you. Some find the walk off the mountain a lot harder as you cover a lot of distance, you are already tired, you have been up since 3am, you have already summited and now you just want to be off the mountain and in a warm shower. The further down you go the better you will feel especially when you pass several groups now struggling upwards. That night you sleep well although it is a struggle to get up in the morning with 101 muscles hurting.

Please note the faster you go up the less time you have to acclimatise. You are more likely to feel unwell and not summit the mountain. If you walk too fast you will only have yourself to blame! So walk slowly; there is no rush to get into camp early.

Some helpful tips on climbing the mountain

Walking
              - Slow and continuous (not stop start)
              - Don't lose and gain altitude un necessarily
              - Lock a knee to rest.
              - Don't bend over;  stand upright (get max level of oxygen in)

                 Walking on scree
                   • Side ways (max surface area)
                   • Small steps
                   • Continuous

Altitude
             - Keep going slowly
             - Drink lots
             - Eat Correctly
             - Be Honest. (head ache, dizzy, etc)

If you get lost
             - Head up hill not down (more chances of finding a path)
             - Keep to ridges
             - Keep out of forest
             - Wait for cloud / weather to lift

Sun
             - Use sun cream (back of legs, neck , face and arms)
             - Wear a hat at all times
             - Wear sunglasses at all times

Heat
             - Try keep your temperature regulated (don’t get too hot then too cold: keep it                constant)
             - Keep warm when walking and when resting. (don’t keep stopping to put on then                take off clothing.)
             - Always have clothes avaliable to put on. If cold don’t put all your clothes on in one                go;psychologically not the best thing to do because if you are still cold you have no               more clothes to put on
             - Keep dry

Energy
             - Save your energy, don’t do silly things like run around or race after people.
             - Conserving your energy this will increase your chances of reaching the summit

Water
             - Mountain water is clean, but you are advised to treat your water.
             - Drink minimum of 1 litre before lunch and 1 litre after lunch (along with tea,                coffee and soup in the evenings)
             - Do not go to the toilet near or in the water: go as far away from the water as                possible.

Animals
             - There are wild animals (esp. forest)
             - Keep a look out
             - Don’t startle or scare them make a little noise so they know your around (in the                forest)
             - Don’t run away move away slowly unless you are being charged
             - Keep out of their way
Camps
             - Know where the leaders or guides tent is, in case of any problems
             - Keep quiet, be considerate to others
             - No fires

Other points
             - Keep mountain clean (litter)
             - Keep noise down and enjoy yourself!

Equipment required to climb the mountain
Please have a look at the kit list you are given. It is important to note that you should have tried on all your equipment before you come to make sure it fits and you can walk in it. For example; your waterproof clothing should fit over several layers as you are likely to be wearing it when its cold and raining.
Make sure you wear your boots in, wear them for at least 2 to 3 weeks before the trip. This will reduce your chances of getting blisters. If you are buying boots for the trip make sure you speak to someone about the boots and the fit before you buy them.
Make sure you cut your toenails short before you climb the mountain, as constant banging of toenails on the front of your boots is painfull and you may lose your nails.
The better your equipment the more enjoyable your trip will be, however if you are only going to climb a mountain once there is no point spending a lot of money on kit you will not use again.

Mountain Kit List
 - Sleeping bag (warmest one possible) (3 or 4 season) (can be hired)
 - Roll mat. (can be hired)
 - Walking shoes / boots. Preferably water proof but not essential
 - 5 pairs of warm socks (nice to have a clean pair for every day)
 - T shirt (1 or 2 to walk in)
 - Pair of lightweight trousers or shorts to walk in during the day (NOT JEANS)
 - 2 Jumpers (fleeces)
 - 1 Down jacket if you have one
 - 2 Pairs of tracksuit bottoms, or 1 ski bottoms
 - Thermal underwear (tops and bottoms)
 - Gloves
 - Warm hat
 - Rain jacket (essential, must have) (trousers would be very nice)
 - Sun hat
 - Sun glasses (must have)
 - Sun cream
 - Water bottle
 - Wash kit
 - Torch (essential)
 - Day sack
 - Camera
 - Walking Poles
 - A small day pack to carry water, waterproofs, camera and other small pieces (note you    will be carrying this)
 - Umbrella (very useful in rain and to keep sun off. (I always carry one)
 - Personal medication, Small blister pack, Nurofen, Paracetamol
 - Pack your kit in plastic bags or dry bags, so if it rains your belongings do not get wet.
 - Water purifying tablets

Mental and Physical Health
Climbing a mountain is between 40% and 60% phycological. If you prepare yourself mentally you will have a far better chance of reaching the summit. It is however a good idea to prepare your self physically. You are advised to take a few long walks lasting a couple of hours each before your trip if you can. Wear your boots and carry a small day pack containing what you are likely to be carrying with you on the mountain.

Do not let any of this scare you as it is a beautiful trip and well worth the time and effort.

I hope you enjoy your trip!

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