7 Days: Popular South East Face Technical Mt. Kenya Climbing (December-March)
Overview
The normal route to climb Mount Kenya’s Batian Peak, the highest peak on the mountain, is known as the South East Face route. This route is considered one of the most challenging and technical routes on Mount Kenya and requires a high level of mountaineering experience and skill. The South East Face route typically takes around 7 days to complete, including both the ascent and descent. However, the duration can vary depending on the fitness level and experience of the climbers, as well as weather conditions.
DAY TO DAY ACTIVITIES
DAY 1: NAIROBI TO NARO MORU GATE (2,600 METERS)
Start your journey from Nairobi and drive to the Naro Moru Gate, which is one of the main entry points to Mount Kenya National Park. From there, hike to the Met Station (3,050 meters) where you’ll spend the night.
DAY 2: MET STATION TO MACKINDER’S CAMP (4,200 METERS)
Continue your ascent through the Teleki Valley and across the moorland to reach Mackinder’s Camp, situated near the base of the peaks. This is a long day of hiking, and you’ll need to acclimatize to the higher altitude.
DAY 3: ACCLIMATIZATION DAY AT MACKINDER’S CAMP
Spend the day at Mackinder’s Camp to acclimatize further. You can take a short hike to explore the area or rest and relax.
DAY 4: MACKINDER’S CAMP TO AUSTRIAN HUT (4,790 METERS)
Begin your ascent towards the Batian Peak. The route involves steep sections, scrambling, and technical climbing. Reach the Austrian Hut, which is a high-altitude base camp, and spend the night there.
DAY 5: SUMMIT DAY – AUSTRIAN HUT TO BATIAN PEAK (5,199 METERS) AND BACK TO AUSTRIAN HUT
Start early in the morning for the summit push. The final ascent involves technical rock climbing and roped sections. Reach the Batian Peak, enjoy the breathtaking views, and then descend back to the Austrian Hut to spend the night.
DAY 6: AUSTRIAN HUT TO MET STATION
Descend from the Austrian Hut back to Mackinder’s Camp and continue further down to the Met Station where you’ll spend the night.
DAY 7: MET STATION TO NARO MORU GATE AND RETURN TO NAIROBI
Descend from the Met Station to the Naro Moru Gate, and then drive back to Nairobi to conclude your Mount Kenya expedition.