Mount Kenya - Day 2

January 26, 2016 - Roadhead Campsite (3300m)

I got up around 07:00 and wantered over to the waterhole lookout and saw a herd of water bucks that we had also observed last night. A little further out, I also spied a small group of buffalo. The crew got up around 07:30 and prepared breakfast of eggs, pancakes, bread, and fresh fruit. After we had eaten our fill, Sammy, Kat, and I saddled up and started hiking. The nightime had been fairly cool, but now at 09:00 it was quite warm and I was stripped down to a t-shirt in short order. The trail was basically a road so travel was easy. The altitude was beginning to be noticeable though and my pace was slower than normal. Lots of views of the peaks and our objective of Mugi Hill tomorrow were seen as we hiked the two hours to the campsite, where we set up a couple tents. We relaxed for an hour as another group of porters arrived on their way down from Hall Tarns, and finally our porters began to arrive. Kat and I took a short hike along the Nithi River and up a small hill. We stopped at a small waterfall and a little beach. On our return, Daniel had lunch ready which was ramen noodles and beans, with fresh mangoes on the side. A couple Austrian guys showed up who had climbed both Nellion and Batian, and now were on the descent to the lodge. We spent a while chatting with them in both English and German. In the afternoon we hiked with Sammy down to Nithi Falls, which were very impressive, after which we followed into the gorge where there was some lava caves to explore. After returning to camp we spent the rest of the day lazing in the tent to keep out of the sun. As a few other groups of porters have showed up, this campsite is beginning to get crowded, although it appears that they all are heading down further today.

The summit makes its first apearance in the morning light.

Hiking through the forest to the roadhead.

Our camp at the roadhead.

Exploring along the Nithi River.

Pretty flower.

Mountain beach.

Nithi Falls.

A typical meal on Mt. Kenya, showing the extreme hardship we endured.

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