About 200 Kilometers North of Nairobi; towers Kenya’s tallest and Africa’s Second Largest Mountain, which for hundreds of years had been revered by the local communities that live around the mountain as the Holy seat of their God. It is presently recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Mount Kenya has three major peaks with the highest peaks in order:
I. Batian (5,199 metres (17,057 ft)),
II. Nelion (5,188 metres (17,021 ft))
III. Point Lenana (4,985 metres (16,355 ft)).
The mountain also has other subsidiary peaks giving it diverse climbing possibilities on rock, snow and ice.
MOUNT KENYA PEAKS OVERVIEW
Peak Altitude
[m] [ft]
Batian 5199 17057
Nelion 5188 17021
Point Lenana
4985 16355
Point Pigott 4957 16263
Point Thomson and Thomson Flake 4955 16257
Point Dutton 4885 16027
Point Melhuish 4880 16010
Point John 4863 15955
Point Peter 4757 15607
Midget Peak 4700 15420
VEGETATION
The mountains elevates from 1400 metres above the sea level to 5199 metres. In between these there lie distinct vegetation zones beginning from the Savanna to the Glaciers. The vegetation is however dependent on rainfall, moisture, altitude and the aspect of the slope. Past the savanna, at the base of the mountain are found fertile farmlands, rain forest whose vegetation mainly depends on rainfall. Above the rainforest is a belt of bamboo forest, hagenia zone, heath
and moorland with field lobelias
and giant lobelias
and bare rocks and glaciers found at the topmost.WILDLIFE
A variety of animals can be seen on the trek to Mount Kenya. Herds of buffaloes,
waterbucks, baboon and colobus monkeys and occasionally, elephants. Sunbirds, hyrax and soaring eagles make a trek on this volcano one of the most unique mountaineering experiences in the world !!`
Inset: the rock hyrax ‘Mt. Kenya polar bear’ is well adapted to survive in the extremely cold temperatures. With little presence of life on the rocks, the Rock Hyrax could easily become your closest friend>GLACIERS:
Permanently snow capped, the glaciated cliffs and glaciers are a strikingly awe inspiring the remnants of a massive extinct volcano. It’s ironical that a mountain with such proximity to the Equator is snow-capped. However; with glaciers not dependent on altitude, with an average adiabatic rate of 6® C per 1000 m, Mt. Kenya is cold enough that the snow pack doesn’t melt away. This accumulation of snow pack has formed several glaciers at Mount Kenya namely: Nor they, Krapf, Gregory, Lewis, Diamond, Darwin,Forel,Heim,Tyndall,Ceser and Josef.
The glaciers at Mount Kenya offer spectacular views and scenery of the magnificent complex.
The largest LEWIS GLACIER:
LAKES
If you crave for the worlds most stunning views, the lakes at Mt. Kenya will satisfy your crave with their evocative appeal and the mountain lurking in the background. The combination of catching a glimpse of a Kingfisher catching a mountain trout at Lake Michaelson is a winning combination.
You can also take a gentle stroll alongside lake Alice, (the famous proposal site for England’s Prince William.
The scenes around Mt. Kenya lakes are stunning, and from anywhere they are a photographer’s delight.
Shores of Lake Alice. (famous proposal site for England’s Prince William)Lake Hornell:
HEIGHTS
You will get a chance to set foot on incredible heights here at Mt. Kenya, get a chance to see vast African plains and plateaus below. On a clear morning you get a chance to see the summit of Kilimanjaro hundreds of miles away.
Incredible heights with clouds below as seen from Point Lenana:
SUNRISE
Sun-up is the instant at which the upper edge of the sun appears on the horizon in the morning. Mt. Kenya one of the most breathtaking sunrise views on the planet. The eastern sunrise marvels locals and travelers everyday. As the sunrise tints the sky with shots of orange, yellow and gold,it is indeed spectacular in more ways than words can describe. Be sure to bring your pain brush so you can replicate the magnificent vibrant color scheme. If you can’t paint, be sure to bring your camera for one heavenly start to your day!
Hikers, Tourists and early explorers describe a similar emotion as they watch the sun emerge from the Eastern horizon and call the experience magical!
Moments before sunrise:
Sunrise as observed from the Osterrian hut:
It’s all about up-close encounters with beauty, wildness & the seldom-seen.
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