Mount Kenya straddles the equator and stands at 5199 meters high. Its beautiful snow-capped peaks and imposing height have attracted adventurous climbers and trekkers for years.
The mountain somewhat stands unjustly in the shadow of it's slightly loftier cousin Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters), as most people who conquer it after conquering Mount Kilimanjaro attest that it is more challenging.
Mount Kenya is the source of the name of the Republic of Kenya. Its highest peaks are Batian (5,199 m), Nelion (5,188 m) and Point Lenana (4,985 m). Batian and Nelion are only for technical climbers, whereas Point Lenana can be reached by trekkers.
The stratovolcano was created about 3 million years ago. Before glaciation it stood at 7,000 meters high. It was covered by an ice cap for thousands of years, resulting in its very eroded slopes and numerous valleys radiating from the centre.
Since 1900 the glaciers have been rapidly retreating and 7 out of 18 have disappeared.
Mount Kenya National Park, established in 1949, occupies an area of 2,800 sq km and protects the region surrounding the mountain. The park has an abundance of wildlife, mineral springs and unique montane and alpine vegetation with 11 species of endemic plants.
History
The first European to report seeing the mountain was Dr Johann Ludwig Krapf, a German missionary, from Kitui in 1849, a town 160 km away from the mountain. The sighting was made on 3 December 1849, a year after the discovery by Europeans of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The first European to report seeing the mountain was Dr Johann Ludwig Krapf, a German missionary, from Kitui in 1849, a town 160 km away from the mountain. The sighting was made on 3 December 1849, a year after the discovery by Europeans of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The mountain was first climbed in 1899 by Halford Mackinder, with guides César Ollier and Joseph Brocherel. They reached the summit of Batian at noon on 13 September, and descended via the same route.
On 6 January 1929, Percy Wyn-Harris and Eric Shipton made the first ascent of Nelion. They climbed the Normal Route, and then descended to the Gate of Mists before ascending Batian.
In February 1938 Miss C Carol and Mtu Muthara became the first woman and African respectively to ascend Nelion, in an expedition with Noel Symington, and on 5 March the same year Miss Una Cameron became the first woman to ascent Batian.
In 1943 three Italian prisoners of war detained at POW Camp 354 near Nanyuki escaped to climb the mountain then returned to face the music. The mountaineering classic No Picnic on Mount Kenya by Felice Benuzzi tells their story.
On Kenyan independence in 1963 Kisoi Munayo raised the Kenyan flag at the top of Mount Kenya. He died in 2007 and was given a heroic funeral attended by Kenya's third president Mwai Kibaki.
Find out about climbing Mount Kenya and further information on Mount Kenya National Park tourist attractions and accommodation.
Article Source: Paul_M_Banks
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