Mount Kenya briefing
Sirimon route is the most gentle ascend route to Mount Kenya and has a lot of Wildlife. The route also offers spectacular view of the Batian and Nelion the highest peaks of Mount Kenya. The route has a steep ascend from Shipton camp to lenana which is abit strenuous. Descend from Point Lenana is the on the edge of the Lewis glacier. The descend from Mackinder camp to met station is along the famous vertical bog.
Porters, Guides, and Cooks
We will provide one porter per person to carry all the mountain gears. 3 cooks, 3 guides: ratio of three clients 01 guides. Clients are expected to carry a day pack with a warm layer, water, and camera, waterproof. Please make sure your daypack is light as much as possible. Porters always walk either behind or ahead, in that case make sure you have all your requirement.
Water
We expect you to drink 3-4 litre of water per day. We have stream and piped water on all camps. Carry water purification kit with you though the water up the mountain is safe for drinking.
Food
We provide three meals per day. We have picnic lunch of sandwich. Food is rich in carbohydrates proteins, and vitamins. We ensure a balanced diet always.
The food is composed of vegetables, fruits, cereals and hot drinks; chocolate, coffee and tea are served. Kindly let us know the vegetarians and vegans in advance.
Hut/accommodations
Old Moses, Shipton camp, Mackinders and Met station bunk house. These houses have are bunk houses with bunk beds thus you need to bring warm sleeping bag. Inside, they have a shared dinning hall and fire is provided at an extra fee to the care taker.
Tips/gratuities
This is not mandatory, but at the end of the trip, the porters, cook and the guide expect an appreciation gesture from you in form of Tips/gratuities. If you are satisfied with their service tip them. We only recommend but again it’s not a must.
1500 – 200 per porter
2500 – 3000 for the cooks
3500- 4000 for the guides
Medical Kit
We expect that all of you are medically fit. We recommend however that you have a small medical kit with you. The guide will carry your medical kits for you.
Safety and emergencies
Though the Kenya Wildlife Service has Trained Rescue Team at Mackinders and Austrian Hut with radio Communication at the KWS Mount Kenya headquarters, we recommend that every hazard measure should be taken into account to avert any harm or emergency. The Guide and a lead porter have communication radio and mobile phones which they will use to get in touch with the manned station.. A 4×4 vehicle is always on a standby at Narumoru park headquarter base in case of any emergencies.
Porters are also trained on basic first aid basic and all visitors should follow and adhere to the guide guidance on evacuation of an emergency case. Please carry your insurance cover contact. So that they can be contacted by us in case of anything.
Hazards do exist on the mountain. They include:
Animals such as buffalo and elephant in the forest zone.
Exposure – warm days can turn very cold very quickly
Dehydration – Very common at altitude where people don’t realize how Much water they are losing.
Altitude Sickness – Very common on the mountain at high altitude and during periods of dry weather.
Equipment –
Here is a brief list of things you will need for the trek
Climbing Gears and equipment
Pants, for hiking and for lounging in the evenings
Short-sleeved or t-shirts
Long-sleeved shirts, for hiking and for lounging in the evenings
Long underwear
Fleece jacket or wool sweater
Fleece pants
Down jacket or ski parka (for temperatures well below freezing plus wind)
Rain jacket, needed in hot rainforest and cold snow
Rain pants, needed in hot rainforest and cold snow
Underwear
Sport bras, for women
Cold Heights Accessories
Mittens and/or gloves (waterproof, one thin pair, one thick pair that can be layered)
Wool or pile hat
Balaclava or neck gaiters
Hand and foot warmers (chemical activated)
Foot wear
Trekking shoes for hiking during the day, preferably warm, waterproof, and with ankle-support — not too light and not too heavy
Tennis shoes or sandals for lounging in the evening
Gaiters- to keep off the gravel and mud.
Hiking socks for warmer conditions
Wool socks for colder conditions
Sock liners to wick away moisture
Climbing: Sleep Gear
– Sleeping bag (Rated -10 degrees F/-25 degrees C or colder is recommended)
– Sleeping pad and repair kit
