Jane Seywald Memorial Trek to Mount Kenya

Total amount raised £6303.22

Thanks to everybody for their kind support.

St. Barnabas Hospice in Lincoln specializes in the care of the terminal ill with cancer. 

Mount Kenya Memorial Trek Video    Samburu National Park Memorial Trek Video

On the summit of Mount Kenya

Tracy, Neil, Ben, Dave and Georg on Point Lenana Mount Kenya

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Jane Seywald Memorial Fund Raising Trek to Mount Kenya and Samburu National Park for St Barnabas Hospice Lincoln.

February 2009

After arriving at the Mountain Rock Lodge at the foot of Mount Kenya we went for a hike through forest to the MauMau caves, the former hideouts for Kenya's pre-independence guerrilla fighters who fought against the British colonial masters. The escorting naturalist guide explained about their history and the local flora and fauna of the forest as well as the medicinal use of native plants  by the local people.

On the way to the Sirimon Park gate we crossed the equator just south of Nanyuki Town. Here we stopped to witness the water going down the hole of a container clockwise 20m north of the line and anticlockwise 20m south of the equator. At the actual equator there is no rotation. 

The start of the 6 day trek was at Mount Kenya National Park gate, and we’d only been trekking for about half an hour before an elephant wandered out on the path about 50 yards in front of us, and lazily walked ahead for a few minutes, before disappearing into the undergrowth. We continued for another 4 hours before reaching Old Moses Camp, a hut at about 3400m. So far, none of us had suffered from the altitude, only the heat of the day...but this wouldn’t last. The next day was an 8 hour trek through incredible scenery: valleys and plains with flora and fauna like nothing any of us (except Georg) had ever seen. Finally, we reached Makinder’s Camp at 4200m. Here, we first began to feel the altitude: most of the group had a loss of appetite (much to the cook’s annoyance) and a few of us were suffering from headaches and slight nausea.

The next camp to reach was Shipton’s, at roughly the same height as Makinder’s (4236m). This route was the most challenging so far: long steep slopes made of small, loose rocks; twisting trails with large boulders and the odd rock hyrax to dodge. But this route was the most diversely beautiful of the whole trip. Clear blue lakes, shimmering in the equatorial sun, spectacular views across miles of Kenyan plains. This was what it was all about: a challenging trek through gorgeous scenery. It almost

made us forget about the day that would follow, the summit day. Altitude sickness really set in for some people at Shipton’s, but nobody would turn back or stop. The next day started at 1am, and we made our way for Point Lenana. Armed only with torches, we made our way up. Cautiously zigzagging up a slope with only enough light to see the feet of the person in front of us, we put all our trust in the guide at the front. But we made it. Point Lenana, 4985 metres above sea level. We had intended to see the sunrise that morning, but the day we ascended to the summit happened to be the one day it was cloudy, so all we got was brief glimpses of the mighty Point Nelion through the clouds.

On the summit we build a small cairn and lit an incense stick in memory of Jane, we also tried to light a couple of candles but due to the wind we were not successful.

But the trek wasn’t over just yet; we still had to get down. Thankfully it was more downhill than the first half (naturally) so only took 2 days. The first camp we reached after the peak was Mintos (4290m): a small hut for the porters with a campsite nearby. The toilet was a hole in the ground, with a doorless shack for “privacy”. We made a group decision to trek an extra 4 hours and drop an extra 1000m, not only to get to a better camp, but also so that the altitude was less of an issue and so that we could avoid the impending rain. The next camp was much more picturesque: a small campsite in lush grassland. The 12 hours of walking that day, plus the drop in altitude meant that (much to the cook’s delight) we got our appetites back and ate and slept well. It was here that we were really able to reflect on our accomplishment; the terrain we’d covered, the climate we’d faced, the few times we’d wanted to just give up. It all felt worth it as we sat around the campfire, battered and tired but thoroughly satisfied.

On our final hike to the Meru Mount Kenya Lodge we again encountered a Elephant, the same Elephant later cam near the Lodge to drink from a water hole, whilst we enjoyed a beer and a shower. From the lodge we drove in a beaten up old Landrover to Chogoria to meet our transport back to the Mountain Rock Lodge.

Next we drove north to the Samburu National Park to see some of the amazing wildlife that inhabits the reserve. During our drive from the park gate to our campsite we managed to see an Ostrich family with 9 chicks, a Secretary bird, Oryx, Gerenuk, Dik Dik, Lions, Wart Hog, Impala, Giraffe and many different species of birds. As we set up our camp we were closely watched by Baboons and Vervet monkey from the surrounding trees. During our afternoon game drive we saw large herds of Elephants, Buffalo and a Leopard. Next day we were lucky to see a Cheetah with 3 cubs, Nile crocodile, more Lions, Elephants, Giraffe, Kudu, Zebra and many more.

We would like to thank everybody for their kind donations and help. If you would like to help please contact georg@footprint-adventures.co.uk