Page 20 of 53

Nov 17-18th : Climbing Weekend at Lukenya for Intermediate Climbers

The Nov 17-18th Lukenya climbing weekend is for the climber with some experience. That weekend, members of the KWS Mount Kenya rescue team (6) will be joining us. We will be going over anchor building techniques, use of protection and rappelling safety. During the course of the weekend, there should be opportunities for some to lead climbing with experienced climbers.

The event is not appropriate for beginners with no previous experience and we will not be in a position to set top ropes for novices. However, those who have attended beginner events in the past and want to advance their skills and knowledge in use of gear and topics related to traditional climbing are encouraged to attend

 This is a two-day event that will begin on Saturday at 10 AM. In the evening, we will go up to the top and camp with more climbing on Sunday.

For those coming for the day, they should bring a hat, sun screen, lunch and a couple liters of water. The club can provide all climbing gear and will have it at Lukenya. This includes shoes in many sizes, harnesses, etc. For those camping, you will need to bring the full range ofcamping gear or arrange to share with others.

 Those interested who can provide rides, please send an E-mail saying when you plan to drive down and return. Those needing a ride should contact those offering rides. If you don’t find a ride by Thursday, the 13th, send me a message and I will try to sort it out.

Directions:

Lukenya is located along the Mombasa Rd on the left as you head towards Mombasa. It is between the turn to Athi River and the turn to Machakos. It is a hill with a number of rock faces just to the side of the road. It is 36.6 from the Nyayo roundabout to the left hand turn to Lukenya Academy. Note the school is called ACADEMY and this turn is after the Lukenya craig clearly visible from the road on the left. This turn is also just after the new cement factory on the right. Do not turn at any schools, (Lukenya) or otherwise, that don’t call them selves an academy.

We will meet at the South picnic tree. 

Fees:

There is a 300 Ksh fee for gear, if you use the clubs personal gear (shoes, harness and helmet). It doesn’t matter how much gear you use or if it is for one or two days, its just 300 Ksh. These is no charge if you have your personal gear for using the shared gear like ropes or the anchor building. There is a 400 Ksh fee for each non-member per day for non-members. Alternately, you can join the club. There is an option for temporary three month memberships for those around for only a couple months. For campers, we will need to share the cost of the askari between us (see below).

If you have any questions, let me know.

Camping: If you are planning to camp, let me know. You should bring a tent, sleeping bag and all you need for cooking, etc. its best to try and for small groups to share cooking, etc. There is no fee for camping, but have to hire two armed guards from the police post. This cost 6,000 KSH and we share this cost between all those camping.

Questions: Contact Jeff at info@mck.or.ke

Oct 30th : Suppernight

Arshad Khan, MCK Northern Frontier District veteran, will talk about his Easter Trip.

22 MCK members met up at Barney’s in Nanyuki on Thursday before Easter for the start of what was billed to be a great adventure- to climb Baio and Nyiru and for some of the party to carry on to Kulal and Lake Turkana. 

Come join and view some amazing pictures from that memorable trip.

As usual there will be supper buffet for 30pax (first come first served). Members 700/=, non members 800/=

Menu
Green Salad
Jeera Chicken Curry
Sheesh Kebab (Mutton)
Mixed Veg Curry
Potato Aubergine Curry
Assorted Naans
Jeera Rice
Rice Pudding

 

Our new look T-Shirts (in a Can) will be on sale.

19-21st October : Kichwa Tembo with Ivy

 

Tsavo West: has varied topography and a diverse array of habitats. Most of the northern sector is Acacia-Commiphora bushland, with scattered trees such as Baobabs (Adansonia digitata) and Delonix elata. There are numerous rocky outcrops and ridges, and, towards the Chyulu Hills, ash cones and lava flows – some of them very recent (240yrs). In
the Ngulia area, a range of craggy hills reaches around 1,800m. The southern sector consists of open grassy plains (Jipe Plain).
Climbing: Kichwa tembo silhouette conspicuously in the midst of the Tsavo west, exaggerating the topography of the Park. The volcanic cones of the famous ‘five sisters’, Chaimu crater and Chaimu Hill is ideal for hikers while Kichwa Tembo will add value to seasonal mountain climbers. Magnificent Mzima springs are the ‘must visit’ point in Tsavo.
Hikes: The ‘Shetani’ lava flow, a black lava flow of 8 km long, 1.6km wide and 5m deep, is a remnant of volcanic eruptions which were subject to tales of fire and evil spirits among local communities. The communities named the flow ‘Shetani’ meaning devil in Kiswahili after it was spewed from the earth just 240 years ago. A cave with two large openings and
one ancient tree growing between them is located near the centre of the outflow.
Transport
People interested in coming will have to arrange car pooling individually Please let me know if you have space and willing to give others a lift. You will require an off-road vehicle to access the camp-site area and to move around the park. We have designated two meeting points for those that wish to car pool:
1. Capital Centre (on Mombasa Road) – just a few hundred meters from the Nyayo Stadium round about, Capital Centre car park at 12 noon on Friday 19th.
2. Tsavo West National Park main entrance – off Mombasa road, approximately 200 km south east of Nairobi.
3. GPS coordinates for MCK special camp-site will be provided to those that confirm by October 12th 2012.
Park entrance fees / guide 
Park Fees – Citizens 500/-, Residence 1,000/-, Non-residence $65/- per person per day.
Camping Fees – Special camp site – Weekly one-off fee of 7,500/- (spilt by number of people).
Plus camp fees – Citizens 300/-, Residence 500/-, Non-residence $30/- per person per day.
Ranger/guide – 3,000/- per day per each guide. Recommended group more than 5 – two rangers.
Car entrance fees – 300/- per day (6 seater and below, otherwise 1,000/- for over 6 seater.
Safari Card – to enter the park you must have a safari card or get someone with a card to load the money required to enter. It can be obtained and/or loaded at KWS HQ in Langata or at the Mtito Andei gate (best to get this sorted in Nairobi KWS HQ). Remember, proof of residency and citizenship is requirement at the Park Gate
Itinerary
Arrival – Friday afternoon/evening to camp site, somewhere near Kitchwa Tembo area. Intend to go out with an early start on Saturday, climbing easy routes, or go hiking towards the caves and surrounding area. Hike/climb all day with a packed lunch and only get back for sundowners and sunset. Plan is to leave Tsavo Sunday after late breakfast sometime.
What to bring / Gear
Water – You should be self sufficient to cater for yourselves, including drinking and washing water. Enough to support for number of days you intend to stay.
Food – As above.
Gear – For those climbing, if you do not have your own climbing rack/gear, you can hire out climbing gear from the club house on club night (Tuesday) through Catherine (MCK caretaker). For those hiking – please ensure you bring good hiking boots, a ‘panga’ to possibly slash your way through the thick bush, head lamp/head covering if you want to do some cave explorations, a day pack for your lunch, snacks, water, sun screen, cameras, etc. We will have to create a common area
for washing/shower/toilet in order to reduce a footprint in the area.

 

Interested? Send an email to ivy@mck.or.ke

 

6-7th October : Ndeiya hiking and climbing

Ndeiya is a rock climbing area in the rift valley about 40km past Ngong Town and 10km past Frog. We will head out there for 2 days of climbing and car camping.
We’ll meet on Saturday morning at Java at Junction at 9am, leave at 9:30 and drive out to Ndeiya arriving around 11am. We’ll climb on Sat, spend the night and then climb on Sunday. There has been work on the road lately so it could be better than I remember but people should plan to use high clearance vehicles. Each car should be self sufficient in terms of camping gear, water, food, climbing gear, route knowledge and the ability to build anchors. More info