Sirimon Route of Mount Kenya : Mount Kenya National Park is one of the most visited places in Kenya especially by mountain climbers and hike lovers. The park was established in 1949 to protect Mount Kenya, surrounding environment, which forms a habitat for wild animals, as well as acting as Kenya’s water catchment area. The mountain has a height of 5,199 m, Mount Kenya is the second tallest mountain in Africa after Mount kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The mountain peak is now the intersection of Embu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi,Kirinyaga and Nyeri counties. It is 16.5 kilometres from Equator and about 150 kilometres from Nairobi, the scenery surrounding this designated World Heritage Site is breath-taking one of the highest peaks in Africa and wonderful wildlife. It has pristine wilderness with lakes, tarns, glaciers, dense forest, mineral springs and a selection of rare and endangered species of animals, high altitude adapted plains game and unique montane and alpine vegetation. It was initially a forest reserve, before being announced as a national park. Today the national park is encircled by the forest. The national park has an area of 715 square kilometres most of which is above the 3,000-metre contour line. The forest reserve has an area of 705 square kilometres Combined.
The Government of Kenya had four reasons for creating a national park on and around Mount Kenya. These were the importance of tourism for the local and national economies, to preserve an area of great scenic beauty, to conserve the biodiversity within the park, and to preserve the water-catchment for the surrounding area. It is one of the mountain’s in kenya that anyone can climb even biggies with a bit of preparation climbing to point Lenana is possible, however for one to climb to point Batian and Nelion one has some mountain climbing experience. The cost of climbing and exploring Mount kenya depends on the accommodation, Camping rather than using huts is cheaper especially when using the Western ascend.
The mountain was formed through a volcanic activity a bout 3 million years ago .The mountain is an example of Stratovolcano mountain. The mountain highest peak is Batian 5199 metres Nelion.
It is recorded that the first European to see Mount Kenya is the German Missionary Johann Ludwig krapf in 1849. Mount kenya is considered by the communities living around it to be a sacred place and they used to climb and pray or just pray while facing it. On 13th September 1899 ,Mackinder, Ollier and Brocherel were the first to ascend Mount Kenya.
4 Days Mount Kenya Climb using the Sirimon Route
This route takes a total distance of 53 km, it is rated as moderately difficult with its Start and Finish point being Nairobi. Mount Kenya is Africa’s second highest mountain after Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Sirimon Route of climbing Mount Kenya is much more scenic than Naro Moru route. 4-day Sirimon route is located on the drier side of the mountain which offers some of the finest walking. Climbing up through forest into a wide ridge approach to the summit area. The route starts on the northwest side of the mountain near Nanyuki Town. It is easily accessible by road and there are adequate available accommodation facilities available on this side of the mountain.
The hiking safari to the summit point of Lenana can be done in 4 days hiking, it is also possible to add extra night at Liki North Camp in between Old Moses Camp and Shipton Camp. The summit at Lenana Peak can be reached in 4 days hiking this is to help in proper acclimatisation to enable the body to adopt to the changes in altitudes to avoid the altitude sickness. It is recommended that an overnight acclimatization at the base of the mountain at Nanyuki town
Day 1: Nairobi/Sirimon/Judmier Camp (Old Moses Camp), 3-4 hrs, 9km, 860m ascent
The journey starts at Nairobi early morning at 8 am to Nanyuki town arriving past noon for lunch, the journey by road takes about 4 hours. Then proceed to Mount Kenya National Park Sirimon Gate, 1 hr, 2440m. From the Sirimon Park Gate follow the track as it winds uphill through the forest which becomes heathland after about 3 hrs. After trekking for about 3½ hours from the gate the track veers right to Judmier Camp, 3300m for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Judmier Camp/Shipton Camp, 6-7hrs, 14km, 900m ascent
The day starts after breakfast, then follow the track uphill, splitting left at the junction. After one hour from Old Moses Camp, the track crosses Ontulili River. Go right contouring through the Moorland and crossing Liki North and continue uphill to Mackinders Valley. From the valley, there are panoramic views up the valley towards the main peaks. Dinner and overnight at Shipton Camp, 4200m.
Day 3: Shipton Camp/Point Lenana/Judmaier Camp (Old Moses Camp), 9-10hrs, 21km
This is the day to attempt the summit at Lenana Peak. The journey starts early morning at 3am up a steep stony quarry that cuts through a cliff clearing visible part towards lower Hall Tarns. Arrival at Point Lenana (Lenana Peak) is at 6:30am, taking about 3hrs. After the sunrise, descend down to Shipton Camp, 2hrs, for breakfast. Then hike further 4hrs down to Old Moses Camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Judmaier Camp/Sirimon/Nairobi, 2-3hrs, 9km
The day starts after breakfast, walk down through the rainforest for 2 to 3 hours to reach Sirimon Gate to sign out of Mount Kenya National Park. From Sirimon park gate, you will now connect with your transport to Nanyuki Town for lunch. This will be followed by vehicle transfer back to Nairobi arriving at approximately 3pm ending the 4 days climbing the second tallest mountain in Africa.
Some of the items you need while hiking mount Kenya.
polyester t-shirt per day
It is recommended to have a good hiking t-shirt made of quick-dry, breathable material, and polyester is the best.
A pairs of quick-dry pants or shorts
Just like with t-shirts, your hiking pants should be made of quick to dry, breathable material. This is simply because they dry faster in case of unexpected showers and allow sweat and moisture to escape the skin.
fleece jackets
A fleece jacket is good because it is both light and warm. You use it on top of the thermal base or quick-dry t-shirt while hiking. Use it to keep warm when the weather changes while hiking or at night when going to sleep.
waterproof jacket
A waterproof jacket keeps you warm and dry when a sudden shower hits. You may get a raincoat, rain poncho, or rain jacket.
A pair of fleece pants
A fleece jacket and fleece pants are equally light and warm. Wear them over the thermal base layer to keep warm especially at night. If you don’t have a fleece pant improvise with sweatpants or other warm pants.
puffer jackets
A puffer jacket is both warm and light, it is used as an additional layer to keep warm at night, and when needed during the climb. The jacket can be improvise with a hoodie .
A pair of summit pants
A good pair of summit pants are waterproof, water-resistant and warm. Use these as the outermost layer especially on the summit day.
A pairs of waterproof gloves
Waterproof gloves are used to keep warm and dry while hiking, very useful in case sudden showers strike.
Balaclavas and/or hiking buff
It is used to protect the face from wind, sunburn, and frostbite. A windproof, breathable material such as polyester that quickly wicks moisture away from your skin is recommendable.
