Yes, we slogged our way up Mt Kenya through prehistoric forests and misty mountain tops, although the magical experience was definitely magnified by the fact we had porters lugging our backpacks up the hill.
The adventure began when Rusha and Guy Lev, friends from medical school who have been living in Uganda, flew into Nairobi a few days after I arrived. We rustled up a mountain guide on the recommendation of a Swiss guy and visited the only outdoor store in all of East Africa run by a French guy before hopping on a matatu (read: squished public transport minivan) for the four hour journey to Nanyuki, ie. base camp.
After we convinced our guide, Dickson, that we normally carry our own backpacks, cook our own food, and read our own maps, he reluctantly agreed to our terms--we did not want the big caravan of support people that normally accompany these treks, often 4 Kenyans to one paying customer! We only wanted one porter for each of the three of us to carry our bags, which were relatively light at less than 30 lbs each, and we would do all the rest.
The first day was mostly travel from Nairobi, park entrance logistics, and an easy 6 mile hike to the first hut. The accommodations are basic, but give protection from the torrential rains in the afternoon and evening and definitely beat a wet Bivy sack. The next day we made significant elevation gain to where we staged our summit attempt at 3am. With headlights and rain coats, we hiked to Point Lenana, the top elevation for non-technical assents. We made it for a chilly sunrise before hiking down 6000 feet and 20 miles to our next hut. Here we had a hot shower after the water was heated with firewood in a 50 gallon drum! The last morning, we did a 20 mile hike out to the small village of Chogoria through rain forests and lush tea plantations. We saw monkeys and African buffalo and lots of elephant poop, but no sightings of the mammoth beasts themselves.
If the internet connection was better, I would post some of the stunning photos, but no luck. Will share when I get home :)
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