Mount Kenya Batian Peak

Based on a minimum group of 2 pax and camping on the mountain. Single person supplement is £600.00 and the itinerary can be shortened if you’re already acclimatised, please contact the office for further details.

We can also offer airport transfers and transfers to and from Nairobi, accommodation in Nairobi and hut upgrades, plus there is plenty of kit to hire if you wish. Full details under ‘Mount Kenya optional extra costs’.

INCLUDES

• Full ground price for the climb from Chogoria town to Naro Moru town
• Park fees, camping fees (6 nights) and park rescue fees
• Park certified trek guide (ratio of 1:4)
• Experienced Kenyan technical climbing guide designated by the National Park*
• Porters and cook
• Group camping equipment
• All meals and hot drinks on the mountain
• Climbing ropes and group climbing protection

*The fee for the climbing guide includes four days – one day walk in, two days climbing & one day walk out. The Adventure Alternative trek guide will call the climbing guide in when the weather is looking good for the proposed summit day. If you would like an extra day then the additional cost for guide, park fees, porters and food can be paid in cash at the time.

EXCLUDES

• International airfare to Nairobi Airport
• Kenyan Visa
• Vaccinations and malaria tablets
• Personal expenses
• Travel & Climbing insurance
• Personal Climbing Gear
• Upgrade to Mountain Hut accommodation
• Tips

INSURANCE

Please note that you will need insurance in place to include technical guided climbing with ropes to 5199m including search, rescue and helicopter evacuation. Not many companies will offer coverage for technical climbing so you may have to go to more specialist providers such as the BMC or the Austrian Alpine Club.

The North Face routes on Mount Kenya are usually climbed during the northern hemisphere’s summer (June through to August although September and early October could be a possibility too). As the mountain is on the equator the sun will be slightly to the North of the mountain during these months. This means that there is less snow and ice, making climbing easier, with some sun on you and warmer rock.

The rainy seasons in Kenya are usually April, May and October/November. If you would like to climb in the December – March season then please see our page for climbs of Nelion via the South East Face where it is possible to summit Nelion on the south-east face and Batian via the Gates of Mist.

The summit climb is long, usually around 11 to 13 hours to complete with the base of the route at 4600m and topping out at 5199m. Good acclimatisation and fitness is essential, as well as the right kit for exposed conditions including mist, rain and snow and cold rock.

Trek Phase approaches the peaks from the east on the Chogoria route. Terrain is forested initially, entering moorland and high alpine desert and eventually onto rocky glaciated landscape. A visit to Point Lenana for acclimatisation involves some scrambling on snow and ice.

The rock climb is usually between 16 and 21 pitches depending on rope length and confidence, group size and local conditions. Pitches vary from sections of low grade scramble to around grade UIAA IV+ (UK V.Diff-Mild Severe, US 5.5) but with most being at around UIAA II (UKDiff, US5.3). This assumes we take the West side variation at Firmin’s Tower.

The rock is Nepheline Syenite which is similar to granite, blocky and abrasive with weathered fissures running vertically and horizontally  offering good holds and friction. However, there are loose boulders, rocks and sandy scree in the amphitheatres and easy-angled couloirs. Helmets are essential.

Almost all the standard belay points are made with slings around rock spikes and boulders. A couple have pitons in place and one or two have a drilled bolt. Protection between belays is almost exclusively trad with self-placed nuts & cams placed and a few pitons along the way too.

The first and most obvious is the length of the climb. An average rope-pair will take around 11 hours for the ascent and rappel back down. Stamina at a fairly consistent grade will take energy, efficiency and concentration. Good past experience of similar routes will definitely help.

A second consideration is the altitude. Weight of bags and ropes and racks will appear much heavier at over 4000 metres. We do have a good acclimatisation programme for the walk-in, but it will be important to keep hydrated and fit and well rested.

Further considerations are the cold and weather. Choose the right season and include a spare day for bad weather. It is common to have low visibility with thick mist, wet rock and a cold wind. This route does not get the sun until well into the day.

Route finding is an issue, not just because of low visibility. The upper section in particular is not at all obvious and the abseil descent requires concentration and care. There is a small bivi hut enroute and it’s very useful if the weather comes in and you find the climbing too slow. But you will need to take bivi kit with you, since there is nothing in the hut.

Remoteness is a consideration too; although Shipton’s Hut is close by the base of the route, once on the climb there are almost no other people to rely on. There is quite poor communications on the mountain, except in the huts, and no official rescue team. There is the possibility of a helicopter for evacs down at the camps but this is not to be counted on at all.

The itinerary is based on starting the journey from Chogoria town on the eastern side of Mt Kenya and finishing in Naro Moru town on the western side but all our Mount Kenya climbs have lots of optional extras if needed, including private transport from Nairobi, accommodation arranged in Nairobi, Naro Moru or Embu, extra nights on the mountain, tailor made safari’s or visits to our Moving Mountains projects on the lower slopes of Mount Kenya.

You are welcome to adjust the itinerary and reduce your time on the mountain and we’re more than happy to build an itinerary to suit your budget and preferences. The advertised itinerary provides a great acclimatisation program, if you’ve been at altitude recently and feel that you can reduce the number of days on the approach or descent then we can put together a tailor made option which will reduce the price if the number of days on the mountain reduce, just send an enquiry through the website and we’ll give an updated price.