SHIPTONS CAMP
Shipton is a camping site where hikers sleep in bunkers within the Mountain hut the night before summiting, it’s the final camp located just below the main peaks of Mt. Kenya at an altitude of 4200m above sea level.
Smoking peaks
It was our third day destination after exploring Lake Michaelson, this was an even more difficult day giving a sense of things will only get more difficult on the summit day.
Shipton provides you with a resting place to re-energize before the final stretch to the mountain top. Accommodation is on self-catering basis, shared bathrooms and bunk/single beds. It’s arguably the most used by trekkers.
High altitude vegetation
The terrains leading upto Shipton were mostly high altitude vegetation, barren land, rocks, sand, steep slopes for both the ascent and descent. On arrival you’ll be stunned the glaring panoramic view of Mt. Kenya peaks, Point Lenana, Batian and Nelion.
Point Lenana is the third highest (4985m) and it’s the only reasonable trekking peak for a non-professional climber, the rest require rock-climbing and excellent climbing expertise. Point Nelion is the second highest peak (5188m) and point Batian is the highest peak at 5199m asl.
Most camping equipments are hired but your guide will always have that in order.
We used the Chogoria Up-Down Sirimon route as it is the most scenic for anyone who wants to wallow in the immense beauty of the Mountain, this scenic route covers the two famous glacier lakes of Mt. Kenya, Lake Ellis and Lake Michaelson.
Lake Michaelson from the scenic route
There are other shorter routes if scenic isn’t a part of your vocabulary but you’ve got eyes for the summit.
Acclimatisation is very important in trekking a mountain, especially the long stretch from Michaelson to Shipton.
Rocks and barren trails
Descent to Old Moses
After summitting and making a return to Shipton one can use the Sirimon route to Old Moses which is a complete traverse of the Chogoria route. It takes roughly 6 hours to get to old Moses.
View of the Peaks Down Sirimon
It a long broad valley that has the picture perfect views of the Mountain peaks at the very beginning.
Consists of the Mountain savannah as you scale down with a very eroded trail, if you lucky you might find a fresh Leopard poo that might get you very agitated like we were. But worry not, there have been few and close to zero cases of animals attacking humans as the Mountains have plenty of prey, they are mostly walking around in full bellies, thanks to the rock hyrax African mole species, I imagine.
It is the least interesting stretch of trail as you have exactly nothing to look upto, your body by this time will be craving a long sassy shower and a rest.
Ol Moses is sitting at an altitude of 3384m
SHIPTON CAMP
Authors insight.
The views of the Mount Kenya peaks at Shipton are panoramic and unmatched. You will enjoy a direct pulsating confrontation of the eyes and the stunning views. It is the most dramatic view without hinderances whatsoever.
You’ll somehow be left wondering on how you’ll end up at the top of Point Lenana as it appears impossible from Shipton, too steep to think of. The smoking peaks will ease your anxiety.
Camping at Shipton provides no comfort and falling asleep can be a task on its own. Hard to realise as you’ll presumably be focused on the bigger accomplishment hours away.