In the beginning
Our Adventure team of Gitonga Wandai, Kyalo Munyao and Kenya’s leading Ultra Runner Peter Muia set out to push limits.
We planned a run up Mount Kenya starting from Chogoria Gate at an elevation of 2950m ASL up to point Lenana 4985m ASL and down Sirimon trail to Sirimon Gate (2650m ASL).
Here is their experience in Gitonga’s words
Once the adventure bug hits- you never stop. It is from one adventure to another, seeking the flow and the thrill. It all started when I conceived the idea to run up Lenana point (4985m) in Mt. Kenya in a day starting at Chogoria gate and out Sirimon gate. This was just after a trek in Nepal- The Annapurna Circuit Trek in the Himalayas. I called and texted a few adventure seekers to form a team to join me for this crazy adventure. Kyalo and Peter confirmed. In 3 weeks we went through an intense training to gain endurance and altitude preparedness in Ngong Hills, Le Satima and Elephant Hill in Aberdares.
The Run;
The engaging nature of long treks or runs takes you through motions of excitement, frustration and then a place of Peace.
Trail running in Kenya or to be more specific mountain running as an outdoor recreation is very new in Kenya. In fact very little to no resources are available as a guide on how to prep for long mountain runs. But carried by the flow, I was effortlessly in present moment and in the company of 2 amazing-crazy souls. We had the mountain to ourselves; just us and the mountain.
And after 5hours and 33 minutes we stood at Mt. Kenya’s 3rd highest point and under 10hours exited Sirimon gate.
Here is the brief
So how did it all go all down in Mount Kenya, first here is a list of items we need for the Dash,
Name: Dash to Point Lenana- Ultra High Mt. Kenya Run – Unsupported.
Distance: 42.39km
Highest Elevation; 4985m
Time; 9.51.53
Equipment:
Trail running Shoe; Kalenji Kiprun Trail RXKalenji
2 Soft flasks -250mlKalenji
Running tightsKalenji Ls running Tshirt- all from Decathlon Nairobi
Trail running bag from Hawi Outdoors
Garmin: Fenix 3HR @ from Garmin Kenya
Pack light go fast
Pack light go fast— the key code of alpinism. When in Annapurna Region in the Himalayas last month I was reading a biography of this great climber of the 70s Chris Bonington and what they were able to achieve in the mountain in early years of mountaineering.
Added to this reading, back home I read yet another book ‘The Climb based on the famous 1996 Everest climb’ and one of greatest mountain rescues of all times by Anatoli Boukreev. Then an idea hit me — what can I do back home? I need to return to Batian Kenya’s highest point in August and I want to spend minimal time going up there.
From the experiences of the above climbers I learnt that if you are well acclimatized you would go up mountains in an amazing speed when you are light. I came back home and I put together a plan on a speed run up Mt kenya dubbed ‘Dash to Point Lenana-The plan being to start of from Chogoria gate and exit Sirimon gate in Nanyuki. I needed partners in this; I made 3 whatsapp conversations to people felt really connected to at the time. First to probably Kenya’s most prolific ultra runner Peter ‘Chicharito’ Muia.
He would be available for the prep runs but he would not join me for the big run- he had another run scheduled 2nd to a gentleman full of life Ishuah Kariuki; we spent the last days of 2018 in Kilimanjaro and on the 1st of January we stood proud at the roof of africa; He thought it was great but his fitness goals were not aligned to this kind of adventure and I understood. Finally to my spiritual guru, a confidant and a longtime friend Kyalo Munyao.I layed out my plan to him,he laughed and asked ‘hivi ndio umeona?.. and then he said emphatically he was in;
I was so excited, I wanted to hug him on the phone; there are very few people who will entertain your madness in this world. So when you find your tribe embrace them.
We had no running gear and am not runner; I went into research mode for an unsupported run. We needed quite a number of items. For this kind of run I needed a proper trail running shoe, a running bag, thermal tights -top and bottom,light jacket that would also be waterproof and warm at the same time- We had less than a month to place everything in place.
First things first the shoe- I went for Kalenji Kiprun Trail RX from Decathlon and Ihave no regrets the shoe hugged my feet in perfect fit— am flat footed which makes my shoe fitting a problem even for hiking boots.
A day later I was in Ngong hills, ran to the peak 2450m asl and back a distance of about 12 km- start attached.
The following week I was joined by Kyalo for the same run. On the 3rd week, Kyalo and Peter joined in for the 23.5 km run at the Ngong Hills – up and down the seven hills and back starts also attached.
And 3 days before our run for our final prep, we looked into the Aberdares and Elephant Hill was the play ground. In a record time of 3 hours and 20 mins we had run to the altitude of 3650m asl covering a total distance of 19km.
By the end of this run Peter was now convinced he would want to be in for the big run. With no symptoms of altitude sickness that comes from this kind of instant rise we felt confident of our Mt. Kenya Ultra high Run- Dash to Lenana. We had lunch at Oasis Hotel in Njabini as we finalized our plans for the Dash.
On 31st May 2019 Friday afternoon we met in Nairobi CBD and boarded Chogoria Shuttles reaching chogoria at 5.30 pm. We needed to reach the gate before 6 pm. A quick stop at Lenana hotel.. we bought take away food Kyalo and I being Vegans ordered mashed matoke and veggies.
Peter ordered mashed matoke and chicken. On our way we decide to eat while the food was still warm since we didnt carry any cooking equipments. Opening our dishes we found that our mashed matoke had meat. Luckily we had ordered some extra chips which we feasted on greedily knowing we needed more. At the Meru Bandas at Chogoria Gate where we spent the night we requested the caretaker Mr.Karebe- kind hearted and entertaining at the same time- if we could make ugali with his flour in his quarters. We made ugali added some salt to make it tasty since we didn’t have any veggies and downed it with black tea while Mr. Karebe entertained us with mountain stories and fishing escapades.
Soon after our dinner we retired for a good rest before the big day. We packed our bags,filled our packs with water, the magic fruit -banana and energy bars. Alarm set at 5.00am we tucked in at the warm bandas complete with a fireplace and warm bedding plus sleeping bags.
The Run: The Dash to Lenana
Alarm went off at 5.00am I had woken up earlier haunted by the run.. running it over and over in my mind as it had done the last 2 days before the run. We dressed up and left the bandas for Mr. Karebe’s quarters for some black tea and oat porridge.
Our chief chef for the oat porridge Peter came through added some banana and nuts and we were set.
I ran to the gate to wake up the ranger to issue us with park tickets. When I told him what were about to do he just went ‘Kweli’? He reluctantly gave me the Mpesa Paybill number for those who have been to Chogoria Gate you know mobile network is an issue. I ran 1km to the network area paid up and then with the team returned to the rangers station for our tickets which was also the starting point.
Chogoria Gate(2950m to Road end 3450m asl)
Ready and set a few minutes to 7.00am we had started into the unknown.
I had a plan with distances and the expected time to be taken- also attached here.
Our first stop road end (3450m asl ) – 6km into the run in 47 minutes – well into the moorland and Nithi Falls thundering below us. Its was so beautiful and serene.
We take some ORS solution and nuts. A less than 5 minutes break and we were at it again.
Road end to Mintos Camp(4300m asl) – 9km.
This part of the run is going to be a deal breaker. We needed to spend the least time to allow almost normal walking pace for the summit push.
Through this first section, the heart is low seeing what the mountain suffered from the fires earlier on in the year but with the rains the green is coming back and restoring the beauty that is Chogoria trail. With lake Ellis on one side, Michaelson and Vivian falls on other and our goal right ahead of us on this clear day. I feel injected with energy pushing my self up every minute feeling each step.
And 3hours and 7minutes into the run we are at Mintos camp. Right at the base of the main peaks. Another less than 5 minutes break here..ORS, water, energy bars which on a normal day would never meet my mouth -because they leave me with an ugly sugary aftertaste and can be pretty annoying up there-vegans out there suggest appropriate energy bars.
The Summit Push
It has to be done.. we were up and running again. Final Push Mintos camp (4300m asl) to Point Lenana (4895m asl)-4.5km. A gentle run as we leave the camp before hitting a steep ascent to Simba Tarn (4560m), no break at Simba Tarn its time to push the last 1.5km or so to Point Lenana.
In a slow push with the altitude in full test of our attitude. Another 250m up we are at Harris Tarn (4750m asl)Peter is leading the pack as he has and am trailing the team. The whole team is now closing in as we reach the top. Scrambling through the loose rocks near the top and we are at the ridge and Lewis glacier is in view below.
In my exhausted state I shout or what was meant to be a shout- its over boys- they nod back in agreement. We hold on to the cable-via Ferrata- and then up the stair case as we end the first half of our journey.
Its an emotional peak moment for me as I force the team into a group hug and thanking them for accepting the invite and believing it can be done. A few minutes at the peak may be 10 or 20minutes not sure .. it really doesn’t matter now, or does it?
The Descent
Point Lenana (4895m to shipton Camp 4200m- 3km. It is time to head down, the clouds are closing in and visibility is disappearing. Its way much easier but I have a concern with my knees I have put so much pressure on them in the last one month during the training and I could feel them giving in especially after Elephant hills run 4 days ago. In 30 minutes we are at Shipton’s Camp. Its a deserted camp not even a care taker.
We go in to the dining area still no one, outside we empty the smalls pebbles that sneaked into our shoes as we scrambled down the volcanic scree.
Shipton camp (4300m) to Old Moses Camp 3300m asl
This is a 14km down hill stretch that started with rain, light showers and we decided to head down under the blessing. It did not last long but the trails were all flooded meaning it had rained heavily earlier in the day.
I had a bad fall,hurting my knee just before the caves limped to the view point where we had a two minute break with Kyalo before heading down, Peter was way ahead. We drop into Likki valley crossing the river before going up the last uphill task of the run. From there it was a proper run to old moses camp arriving at just under 9 hours.
The Home Run
Old Moses camp 3300m to Sirimon gate 2650m asl
I make a small stop at Old Moses ,a chat with Peter who had decided to stop his run here after his gadget run out of power. Kyalo is a few meters behind and am not sure if he will continue or end it here- so I decide to continue down before the body cools off, It is the last 9 km that will take me beyond the 42km mark and my aim was to finish in under 10hours.
The tarmac is so harsh on the knees especially after being on my feet the whole day but i push on. @Muindu Kikuvi my partner and cheerleader is here to see me through the last kilometers of the run.
I wade through the corners crossing the equator, the sign board that tells me- you are less than a Km to the finish line. Kyalo and Peter catch up to finish the run as a team at Sirimon Gate just at dusk. The more than a month project has come to an end.
A great feat in Kenya’s adventure scene has been achieved. Souls brought together by sheer spirit of adventure in display of powerful synergy in pushing the limits of what is humanly possible. This run is dedicated to my Mum who taught me the virtue of determination and remaining strong through it all.
To my children Wandai and Koko – it is possible, whatever you put your heart into achieving- let no one ever define for you what is possible- that is including me. To Muindu Kikuvi thank you for supporting this project from inception and believing with me that its possible.
To Kyalo and Peter Thank you for buying into the madness- the energy dialogue was on another level.. To all adventure lovers lets toast to more mountain!!!
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