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NARO
MORU ROUTE:
The
most popular trekking route, with easy access to the start of the route
and good facilities on the way up. There are two bunkhouses, one hut and
several places to camp. This route also allows a very quick ascent to
Point Lenana, which is fine if you're well acclimatized.
Day
01: Naro Moru gate to Met Station 10kms,
3-4hrs, 1000m ascent
From the gate we keep to the park track, which follows the crest of a
broad ridge between the Northern and Southern Naro Moru valleys. The going
is easy, and it's pleasant walking through the forest. About two thirds
of the way up, after the bridge, there are good views to your left (north),
down into the Northern Naro Moru Valley. The track ends at Met Station
(3050m). Meals and Overnight will be served at Met Station.
Day
02: Met Station to Mackinder's Camp 10kms,
5-6hrs, 1150m ascent
From Met Station, we head uphill on the track and pass the radio mast
on your right after about half an hour. The track turns into a path and
after another 30 minutes you'll reach the end of the forest belt and enter
moorland. This area is called the Vertical Bog; conditions range from
them damp to the glutinous depending on when it last rained. Wade through
(or hop across tussocks) until the going gets easier and you reach a fork,
overlooking then Teleki valley, about 31/2 hours from Met Station. After
about 45 minutes you'll eventually be at Mackinder's Camp area (4200m).
Meals and Overnight will be served at Mackinder's Camp.
Day
03: Mackinder's Camp to Point Lenana 4985m, plus descent to Met Station
4km, 31/2-51/2hrs, 785m ascent; plus 14km, 5-6hrs,
1935m descent
Today start hiking around 3a.m to get to the summit of Point Lenana by
sunrise, or just after, then a walk all the way back down to Met Station
on same day. This is long and hard, and the speed of ascent is one of
the major reasons why so many people get sick and don't enjoy their trek.
We therefor recommend by far that you go up in the day light as far as
Austrian Hut (4790m) and spend the night of stage 3 there before going
up to Lenana next morning. Alternatively, you can spend a second night
at Mackinder's after lenana, and go down to Met the next day. Even better,
spend two nights at Mackinder's Camp before going up to Lenana, to give
your self more time to acclimatize and a much better chance of enjoying
the walk to the top. From Austrian hut you get excellent views: north-
east up to the summit of Point Lenana, with the area on the left (west)
of the main south- west ridge usually a snow field covering the Lewis
Glacier; west, across the Lewis Glacier itself, to the steep south east
face of Newlion; and south east, down into the Hobley Valley, with Gallery
Tarn over to the left (north) side of the valley. Meals and Overnight
will be served at Met Station.
Day
04: Met Station to Park Gate 2600m, descent
13km, 21/2hrs,
On this last day we retrace our footstep and down on the path to park
gate. Meals and Overnight will be served at our town Hotel or our next
destination.
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