Mt. Kenya (Lenana Peak)

Mt. Kenya is Africa's second-highest mountain at 5,199 m, an extinct volcano in central Kenya whose summit massif sits directly on the equator. Three named peaks form the top: Batian (5,199 m) and Nelion (5,188 m) — both technical rock-climbing summits that require ropes — and Point Lenana (4,985 m), the highest trekking peak, accessible to non-climbers via several well-established routes. The classic ascent is the 5-day Sirimon-up-Chogoria-down traverse.

The Sirimon route on the north-west side is the gentlest approach. Day 1 walks 9 km up the access road and through cedar-juniper forest to Old Moses Camp (3,300 m). Day 2 climbs into the alpine zone past the famous giant lobelias and senecios to Shipton's Camp (4,200 m) below the central peaks. Day 3 begins around 2 AM for the summit push: 600 m of climbing on rough rock and a final scramble to Point Lenana for sunrise, with the Indian Ocean to the east on clear mornings, then a descent to Minto's Camp on the south-east side. Days 4–5 follow the Chogoria route — the trek's most scenic descent — past the Gorges Valley, Lake Michaelson, and through bamboo forest to Chogoria Gate.

The trekking season is January–February (dry, busy) and July–October (the long dry season, also busy). The rest of the year is wet and the higher camps can be muddy or snow-covered. The Kenya Wildlife Service requires all foreign trekkers to use a licensed local operator with porters and a guide (around $700–1,200 per person for the 5-day all-inclusive). Altitude is real — Point Lenana sits 200 m below Kilimanjaro's Uhuru but the climb is faster (5 days versus 7), so acute mountain sickness is common. Cold is the other concern: pre-dawn summit temperatures regularly drop to –10 °C even on the equator, and snow on Lenana is not unusual.