It's a long hard slog up to the summit of Mount Kenya, but the views from the summit just after dawn make it all worth a million dollars.
Having inched my way up steep scree slopes for three hours, head torch illuminating the heals of my guide, it was sheer relief and joy to reach the peak, one of the few summits of any mountain that can simply be walked up.
Five thousand metres below the surrounding African plains look breathtaking. Spectacular seas of cloud float beneath you and you simply feel on top of the world. The Lewis Glacier, a shrinking slab of ice lies immediately below... incredible for a mountain that straddles the equator.
To reach the summit, it's essential to have a guide and porters. I took the Sirimon route up, which took four days to reach the summit, ascending amongst spectacular fields of giant lobelia, looking rather like giant pineapple cones.
It gets very chilly at Base camp, around 4,300 metres and a down jacket and down sleeping bag are absolutely necessary. Ascending the peak starts at three with a wake up call and a hot mug of drinking chocolate. It can be very cold at the summit, it was -12 when we reached it, and it felt colder in the harsh wind, so excellent thermal gloves are really important-as is a balaclava.
Recommendation: KG expeditions who are based in Naru Moru at the foot of the mountain were excellent guides. Ask Bernard to bring his slection of Zairean dance tapes! E-mail them at: kgexpd@arcc.or.ke - A seven day traverse up the Sirimon route and down the Chogoria route will cost about $600
How to get there: Gulf Air did a bargain return to Nairobi via Abu Dhabi for £332. KG's team will arrange an airport pick up and drop back from the mountain for $120.
Beware: "Nairobbery" has a reputation for theft. Be careful, especially if travelling alone.
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