Facts To Know About Mount Kenya : An extinct volcano called Mount Kenya first rose approximately 3 million years ago and last erupted roughly 2.6 million years ago. Mount Kenya National Park was established in 1949, and in 1978 it was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. In 1997, Mount Kenya National Park was finally designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro, it is the second-highest mountain in Africa. The three highest peaks, Batian, Nelion, and Lenana, are named after Masai chiefs. It is the highest mountain in Kenya. Here are few interesting facts about Mount Kenya to know before visiting there;
HISTORY OF MOUNT KENYA NATIONAL PARK
The last eruption of Mount Kenya, which first rose more than 3 million years ago, occurred 2.6 million years ago. It was eroded down to its present height from a height of 19,700 ft. (6000 m) at its apex. According to research, the glaciers were formed by two protracted glacial periods, and their lowest elevation was 10,800 feet (3300 meters).
There are currently 11 tiny glaciers on Mount Kenya. They are thinning, though, and no new ice is forming because the mountain is now rarely covered in snow. In fact, unless current patterns of temperature and precipitation change, which seems unlikely given the patterns currently emerging as a result of global warming, researchers predict that the ice will completely disappear by 2050.
Mount Kenya National Park first received its designation in 1949, according to modern history. The location was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978, followed by the designation of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, decades later.
WHEN MOUNT KENYA WAS FIRST CLIMBED?
After three unsuccessful attempts in the same year, Sir Halford John Mackinder, Cesar Ollier, and Josef Brocherel reached the top of Mount Kenya’s Batian for the first time on September 13, 1899. The team had a number of issues prior to the successful expedition, including desertion by porters, food shortages, theft, and even murder.
HOW HIGH IS MOUNT KENYA?
Batian, Mount Kenya’s highest peak, is 5199 meters high; Nelion, at 5188 meters, is the second-highest peak and is also a technical climbing peak. Point Lenana, at 4985 meters, is Africa’s second-highest trekking peak and the continent’s third-highest peak overall.
CAN YOU TREK TO THE SUMMIT OF MOUNT KENYA?
With a height of 4,985 meters, Point Lenana is a trekking peak that most people can reach. If climbed via the Naro Moru route, it is also currently the highest via ferrata in the world, which heightens the difficulty and enjoyment. A climb up this mountain is the ideal African trekking experience because of the sweeping views of the surrounding savannah, wide valleys, and volcanic peaks.
There are numerous routes up Mount Kenya, including two more difficult climbs on the peaks of Nelion and Batian. Our most popular option on the Mount Kenya traverse is a Naro Moru ascent and Chogoria descent, as this offers the best opportunity to see wildlife, and the summit ridge up to Point Lenana from the Austrian Hut is just stunning and a great introduction to mountaineering. A highlight of the descent is the views, which look down toward the gorge, lakes, lesser peaks, and vast forest.
Trekking up the Naro Moru route and down the Sirimon route on the mountain’s western flank is the most affordable way to reach the summit of Mount Kenya. The Sirimon ascent is the better choice if you’re looking for a simpler route to the top because the final camp at Shiptons is located closer to the top and on easier terrain than the Naro Moru route.
VISITING MOUNT KENYA
The Mount Kenya National Park has six gates. Visitors are required to pay an entrance fee in order to enter. The three main gates, which are well-marked and easy to reach by car, are where payments can be made.
Lakes, glaciers, peaks, mineral springs, and forests are all over the park. Naturally, the most common ways to explore this varied and rocky landscape are by walking and hiking. Lenana can be reached on foot by people who aren’t climbers, whereas Batian and Nelion can only be reached by skilled climbers with equipment. Each year, about 15,000 tourists climb Point Lenana, but only 200 make it to Nelion and Batian.
A number of walking routes come to an end At Point Lenana. This lookout point offers one of Kenya’s best views, and it should not be missed. A few trails are surrounded by unusual spires, ridges, and cliffs that captivate hikers with their size and beauty.
The busiest routes, which all have staffed gates, are Chogoria, Naro Moru, and Sirimon. The Chogoria route is thought to be the most impressive. From the small town of Chogoria, it leads walkers to Point Lenana and the Peaks Circuit Path. The route offers breathtaking views of the Giant’s Billiards Table region as it travels through areas of forest and moorland.
The quickest route to get to Point Lenana is via Naro Moru. Even though it is not particularly picturesque, this quick ascent makes sure that those unable to spend much time in the park at least get to see its most well-known lookout point. The Sirimon route is well-liked among all routes Due to its constant ascent. Actually, a lot of climbers opt to ascend via the Sirimon route before descending via either the Naro Moru or Chogoria routes.
Several ice routes can be found on Mount Kenya, with the Diamond Couloir and Ice Window routes being particularly well-known. Previously accessible all year long, the Diamond Couloir is now only climbable during challenging winters. It goes without saying that ice routes should only be attempted by experienced climbers.
Trips to and through the region are made possible by a number of tour operators such as Focus East Africa Tours. There are numerous trips to choose from. Tours are made to highlight the breathtaking scenery. On guided hikes and treks through pristine wilderness, walkers frequently come across threatened species of wildlife and birds.
HOW TO GET TO MOUNT KENYA
International visitors must first fly into Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to get to Mount Kenya. From here, you can take a bus or a car to get to the mountain. Mount Kenya is reasonably well signposted About 124 miles (200 km) north of Nairobi.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT MOUNT KENYA?
You can plan a trip to Mount Kenya National Park for any month of the year because it is open all year. However, the rainy months of March through June and October through December make climbing mount Kenya unquestionably more challenging. As a result, January through February and July through September are the best months to travel to and hike Mount Kenya.
Due to its equatorial location, Kenya experiences a lot of heat. However, Mount Kenya is cold all year round because of its elevation, which results in permanent snow at its summit. In fact, nighttime lows in temperature can reach 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 degrees Celsius). On the mountain, early mornings are typically sunny and dry, with clouds frequently forming by noon.
WHERE TO STAY IN MOUNT KENYA NATIONAL PARK
Several types of lodging are offered inside Mount Kenya National Park. There are accommodations for every taste and budget, from opulent lodges to dilapidated huts. On the lower slopes of the mountain, there are more expensive hotels. Most have a selection of events and activities that can be reserved right away.
While the use of huts is encouraged to preserve the environment, camping is another option that is permitted throughout the park. At any of the park’s three main entrances, huts can be reserved. Hut amenities, like kitchens and bathrooms, are accessible to campers at no additional cost.
