Life & Work

Thrill of one-day mountain climbing

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Mountain climbing has become a popular pastime. It not only helps you keep your weekend interesting, but also stay fit and meet new people. PHOTO | COURTESY

Pushing the limits to summit a mountain or a hill in a day is an experience that is exhilarating. It is a work-out exercise and relieves stress, while for thrill seekers, the risk of missing a step and tumbling down gives them an adrenaline rush.

One-day mountain climbing is becoming a popular pastime. The new trend about town, not only helps you keep your weekend interesting, but also enables you to stay fit and meet new people. These hikes usually start at the break of dawn and end with a return to the city long after the sun has set.

Organised hikes

Adventure groups organise the hikes that are suited for weekend mountaineers and avid climbers.

Even tours and travel companies have picked up on the trend and now organise hikes for outdoor enthusiasts looking to have a fun weekend.

On average, these trips cost between Sh1,500 to Sh6,000, depending on the company or group that is organising the hike, the location of the hill or mountain, the logistics involved in getting there, whether or not there are any conservancy fees to be paid and additional guides to be hired.

Nicholas Munene of Fitness Caravan, one of the groups that organises such hikes every month, attributes the growing trend to people seeking healthy recreational activities.

“People are getting more health conscious and hiking is a challenge that not only helps you burn calories, but also provides adventure,” he said.

Since the beginning of the year, Fitness Caravan has organised hiking trips to various locations including Karue Hill in Embu, Ngare Ndare in the Lewa Conservancy, Ngong Hills, Mount Longonot, and William Hill.

“Kenya has great hiking treasures all over, but top of our agenda we are looking to hike Menengai and Nyambene Hills,” he says.

But one-day mountain climbing is not an up-and-go adventure. Mr Munene says one needs to be physically fit and exercise for at least 30 minutes three times a week.

Mountaineering is not the preserve of adults; children can accompany their parents depending on the height and the intensity of the climb.

“We have hiked with nine and 10-year-olds,” he says.

When hiking, carry an extra T-shirt, sun screen, energy bars, extra water and a camera.

“Never underestimate the distance and always keep hydrated,” Mr Munene says.

Some organisers usually provide healthy snacks, packed lunch, water and glucose.

Duncan Kiema of Xtrym Adventures and Safaris says it is important to have good shoes that can survive an unforgiving terrain.

“If you get a shoe that is not built for hiking, it will open up while you are walking. You are likely to have blisters if you do not get the right shoe size with a nice pair of thick socks,” he says.

Don’t buy new shoes and wear them on the day of hiking, he warns. Break them in to get accustomed to them before using them for hiking. A good hiker also remembers to always carry rain gear no matter how the weather looks, adds Mr Kiema.

Extra challenge

Xtrym Adventures organises monthly hikes, but it can have two especially during months with public holidays.

In the six months of the year, it has organised mountain hikes to Mt Suswa, Mt Kipipiri, Kijabe Hill, Ngong Hills and Elephant Hill.

Like the name suggests, Xtrym Adventures organises very challenging hikes to hills and mountains, so before you pay for the next challenge, and if you are a first-time mountain climber, find out if you are fit enough.

“For instance, while others climb Ngong Hills for three or four hours, we create an extra challenge and get to Korna Baridi which might take up to six hours before we turn back. We did the same for the whole 50-kilometre terrain of Mt Suswa. For the Mt Suswa hike, the group left at dawn and returned to Nairobi by 10pm,” he says.

“We take hiking a notch higher. It’s not just a walk in the park and can be difficult for people who have never hiked before. But we welcome new hikers if they are physically fit. We vet people to avoid them turning back halfway, which normally is a logistical nightmare,” he adds.

Lillian Atieno, an avid climber, says she has been to Iveti Hills in Machakos, Mt Kipipiri and Mt Suswa in three months.

“Nowadays, I look forward to those weekends when I am going for mountain climbing. It’s fun. I plan to do Mt Kilimanjaro in September which will take five days to reach the peak,” she says.

Scout the hill

Mr Kiema has climbed Mt Kenya five times since 2011. The hike takes four days.

Like other hike organisers, Mr Kiema usually scouts the hill or mountain a few weeks beforehand to check out the terrain and find new routes to make it more interesting and challenging for groups.

The largest group he has ever taken mountain climbing had 107 veteran and new hikers, who were picked from a group of 165 who expressed interest.

“Every hike is different even when you are going up the same hill. Some people come for the adrenaline rush, others come to sight-see from mountain tops. Most of the people we hike with are between 21 and 50 years,” he says.

Mr Kiema says while the hikes are not suitable for children, Xtrym Adventures is looking to organise the events in more child-friendly terrains by end of the year.

Hiking exercises almost every part of your body; the legs, knees, arms, hips, stomach, shoulders, neck and your mind. So start planning to go hiking.