Mount Kenya - Day 1

January 25, 2016 - Meru Mount Kenya Lodge (3000m)

I write this on the slopes of Mt. Kenya, enjoying the view of the summit (about 16 km away) as it is in out of the clouds. We just were served tea, popcorn, and cookies by our cook, Daniel, and our four porters; John, John, David, and Cyrius. The day started out a little worrysome as something I ate did not agree with my system as of last night around midnight. Fortunately by the time our guide and logistics man Sammy arrived at 08:30, the rumbling in my guts had settled itself. We drove through Nairobi to a bank to resolve payment for our ten day trip and then a three hour drive to Chogoria followed. Most of the route was on fairly good highway, but still was a little nerve racking as 100 km/h freeways in Africa also are filled with speed bumps and pedestrians darting across three lanes of traffic. At Chogoria we took lunch in a small restaurant and met up with the rest of the crew, including a Land Rover with driver and loader. All the supplies were mustered and loaded precariously on the roof for the next 25 km of crawling and bumping along the forest road, all ten of us packed into this World War II era vehicle. We had to stop once to let the engine cool down and then a little further we came to the place where we were to start walking. A large animated discussion in Swahili ensued between the porters and driver. Finally they seemed to come to some sort of agreement, money changed hands, the porters boarded back into the vehicle, and they lurched off up the forest road leaving Sammy, Katharina, and I behind. We started walking up the road and after about three kilometers we met John who was waiting with several backpacks and a duffel bag. Kat already had her day pack, but I was grateful to get mine, as it was threatening to rain. Sammy took a pack and John managed both the final backpack and the duffel. About 500m further we found the rest of the porters sitting amongst a pile of packs, boxes, grocery bags, and jugs of kerosene. We helped load them up and despite their protests, Kat and I picked up a few jugs to help out. The porters took a short-cut trail, while us and Sammy continued up the roadway past a friendly armed guard to the gatehouse. After a couple photos by the gate we continued a little further to get our first view of the mountain as we came suddenly out of the forest, just before arriving at the lodge. The lodge is quaint, and a little dirty, but we have a private room with a bathroom. There is a cooking area for Daniel and a small seating area by the fireplace. We chose to sit on the lawn and leave the crew to their business. After all the preparation involved putting this trip together, it feels great to finally start this adventure.

Chogoria town. A typical village scene in Kenya.

Our landrover which took us into the park. Here we stop to let the overheating engine cool down.

Begin the walk.

There is no room for weight weinies on this expedition.

Chogoria gatepost.

Our home for the first night.

Mugi Hill, our objective for day 3.

Some visitors to the local watering hole.

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