06 DAYS SIRIMON - CHOGORIA TRAVERSE

Having reached the road head, the Chogoria route is the fastest, and without a doubt the most spectacular way by which to ascend the mountain. Three kilometres before Chogoria village, a sign reading “Meru Mt. Kenya Banda’s” marks the start of the dirt road. At 1.8km you pass the Chogoria Transit Motel on your right. Here porters and guides may be reliably obtained. At 2.6km made a hard left. Continue through the village of Mutindwa, across two streams, then at 5.5km made a hard right turn, through a timber yard and continue for another ½ km to the Forest Commission Gate. Sign in. from here the road leads straight into the beautiful rain forest and on up through the bamboo to reach, after 22km, the Park Gate (2,950m) and the Meru Mount Kenya Banda’s. the last 3km of this track can be tricky, and land rover hire is available at Chogoria Transit Motel. To reach the road head which is 7km further on, pass through the Park gate, cross a small stream, and on up a steep track leading to a superb campsite near to “the gates” at 3,200m. From the road head across the stream to gain the ridge overlooking the Nithi valley. The path is well defined and never boggy, and follows the ridge top all the way to mintos hut and the halls tarns. Walking time is between 4 and 6 hours. No water is available until mintos. A nice view is at “the Temple”, some 5 minutes walk south of mintos. The next day continue up easily for 45 minutes to the head of the valley, and then climb short scree to an obvious levelling of the slope. At this point go left towards Austrian Hut by way of Square Tarn and a col just right of “The Tooth”. Descend the other side for about 40m, then turning right, contour gently up and across the southern flank of Lenana to the slope mentioned above, the track leads up to Simba Tarn. Avoid Simba col by way of a square-cut tower at a ridge to the left. From this point one can contour around left and then drop down to kami hut and Shipton’s camp (visible from the ridge) OR one can continue up the ridge, past Gallery Tarn, and ascend Pt. Lenana at its north side. The path joins the usual Shipton’s – Lenana route just above the tarn. Keeping above the tarn, leave the ridge and cross the slope to the left. Now cross a small gully, and then steeply ascend to the right to rejoin the ridge 50m below Lenana. Note this point for the return, and follow the ridge to the top. Be cautious on several sections here.

6 DAYS SIRIMON - CHOGORIA TRAVERSE

DAY 01 - Transfer from Nairobi to Sirimon Park Gate 2600m and hike to Old Moses camp 3300m for overnight [3 hours]

DAY 02 - Hike gradually to Shipton's Camp 4200m for overnight [5-6 hours]

DAY 03 - Attempt Pt. Lenana 4985m and descend to Mintos/Hall tarn area for overnight in tents 4300m [5 hours]

DAY 04 - Descend to Chogoria Park Gate for overnight in Meru Mount Kenya Bandas [5 hours]

DAY 05 - Descend leisurely through the Chogoria forest to connect with your transfer vehicle to Nairobi.