12th to 14th November : Ololokwe: Hiking & Camping

Ololokwe (2000m) is located to the North East of Laikipia, in Samburu District. Panoramic vistas stretch across the arid plains to Mount Kenya and the Mathews range. The summit of Ololokwe has high altitude mist forest with giant cycads and superb bird life including Kenya's largest nesting colony of Ruppell's vultures.

Plan

Leave Nairobi on Friday at 12 noon (no later) heading to Ololokwe base camp. (>5h). Pitch camp and stay the night. Next day, hike with guide (>3h) to the camp site on top, pitch, leave our gear and continue to the peak rewarding ourselves with the stunning view. After the night at the camp we return down Sunday and drive back to Nairobi (possibly including a lunch stop at Trout Tree restaurant near Naro Moro). 

Costs

Conservation fees: Citizen/Residents – Ksh. 1,600 per person per night, Non-residents – Ksh 3,200 per person per day.

Camping fees: Citizen/Residents: Ksh 800, Non-Residents: Ksh.1,600.

Those are the two fees that need to be paid cash.

There will be additional costs, food (if we share) and fuel (if car pooling). These fees do not include any tips you may wish to give the guide. We can arrange porters if you wish and will get a quote for that later, however as it's only one night camping away from the car, the load shouldn't be too excessive for each person to carry. They will also provide an armed game scout for security and there will be a guard to watch over the cars.

Bring tent, sleeping bag/mat, water (for drinking only, cooking and washing will be provided), food and trail-mix. Also sunscreen, hat and camera. Also bring proof of residency.

Meeting point will be announced once numbers are known.

Deadline for confirmation is Friday November 5th 2010.

Contact Ivy imutiso (at) yahoo.com or Johannes dietz.johannes (at) gmail.com

6th to 7th November 2010 : Entasopia River

Meeting place and time : Sarit Center, entrance facing Jacaranda hotel at 8.00am.

Entasopia river is considered to be among the top ten hiking destinations in and around Kenya. Scrambling up big boulders, wading through swimming holes and ending up in a big water fall make for an interesting hike. Its not strenuous but requires some boulder scrambling which could be challenging for some. 

Plan

Day One : Meet at Sarit Center at 8.00am and leave by 8.15am. The drive down will take 4 hours, give or take. We will park the cars at the AMREF Station at Ngurumani, have a quick lunch and start hiking at about 1pm. We will hike following the Entasopia river upstream until we reach the waterfalls. The hike is about 5 hours so we should be back by nightfall. There are a couple of nice grassy spots on the banks of Ewaso Nyiro where will camp for the night.

Day Two : Drive back on Sunday and stop over for lunch at Magadi for the world famous "chapo na madondo". Plan is to be back in Nairobi by late afternoon.

Costs : Fuel - As always those car pooling will be expected to contribute towards fuel costs. Should be about KShs. 1000 - 1500 depending on the number of occupants and type of car. Conservation fees : Approximately KShs 200 per person.

Required : Sun Screen, Food, Water purification tablets, Camping equipment, Four Wheel Drive car.

Please RSVP before Wednesday 3rd November 2010, mianonjoka@gmail.com

30th October : Halloween Party at Wilson Airport Clubhouse

Maxi dash postponed

Annual MAXI DASH climbing competition and outdoor cooking competition scheduled this weekend (2-3rd) will not be happening due to the low numbers of entries. The committee is now looking at the possibility of expanding climbing meets for next few months and plan Mini and/or Maxi Dash in early year 2011. 

For those interested in climbing, Clive Ward is leading a small group of beginner climbers to Lukenya on Sunday 3rd

October 2 : MCK Maxi-Dash 2010

For uninitiated, the “Maxi-Dash” is an annual event for the rock climbers of the Club and for ‘climbing guests’ who would wish to participate. The idea is to gather as many points as possible by climbing set climbs at five (5) different crags around Nairobi. These are Lukenya, Embaribal, Frog, Ndeiya & Hell’s Gate Nat’l Park (OK, Hell’s Gate is not quite near Nairobi)!

Although the action during the daylight hours is focused on the climbers, the weekend is also a Club ‘meet’ for camping at Hell’s Gate. At the end of the climbing on Saturday evening, we gather at a campground in the Park. All MCK members and guests are invited to bring drinks, meat and other food and convene round the fire to recount tales of the day.

Other notes:
1. Entrance fee: Ksh 500 per climbing team (payable upon sign-up at the MCK Clubhouse).

Rules:
1. Teams shall consist of at least two (2) people. Lead climbers will be graded either A, B or C.
  “A” leaders are people who can lead HVS or above; “B” leaders between HS & HVS; and “C” leaders are Severe or below. Mixed teams are allowed, but only with one grade difference between the climbers (e.g.; a team consisting of an “A” & a “C” is not allowed).

2. There are three (3) categories of climbs (A, B, or C). Points will be awarded according to the scheme below, based on the grading of the leader of the climb.

3. Climbers may climb routes up to one grade above or below their own grade. Five (5) extra points will be awarded for leads above the leader’s grade; leads below the leader’s grade will receive half the points. However, a maximum of 25% of the total amount of routes climbed is allowed in the higher level. When a mixed team is climbing a lower grade climb and the ‘less skilled’ (for lack of a better term) partner is leading, the team still receives half the points of the climb. For example, a team consists of an “A” & “B” climber. They climbed Boilerplate and “B” has led; they receive 10 points.

4. Sabotaging vehicles is prohibited.

5. If the leader falls, he/she must return to the base of the pitch, pull the rope through gear and climb afresh (“pro” that has been placed may remain for use). If the second falls, he/she must return to the base of the pitch and climb afresh.

6. All climbs must be led without the use of aid (except for pitches 2 & 5 of Olympian, where it is allowed).

7. All climbing must take place between 0600 & 1845. A climb may ‘count’ if the leader has stepped onto the rock before or at 1845.

8. A minimum of three (3) crags must be visited and climbed in, and all climbing teams must be in Hell’s Gate by 18.45 (in exceptional cases, teams that have visited Hell’s Gate during the day will be excused this requirement).

9. 20 extra points will be awarded for each crag at which a climb has been completed. An additional 60 ‘bonus’ points will be awarded if at least one climb is completed at all five (5) crags.

10. Any dispute concerning the interpretation of the rules will be adjudicated by the “Maxi-Dash 2010” sub-committee of the MCK.

11. Please fill out the registration form (available at the Clubhouse) if you want to participate, and do not forget to indicate at which grade you intend to climb (i.e., how you grade yourself).

To participate contact imutiso@yahoo.com

Reminder : September 26 - Beginner's Climb at Lukenya

The beginners climb on Sunday, September 26th, is for people who have no equipment and want to get a taste for climbing.  The club has all the gear needed.

We will be setting up 3-4 "top-ropes" so that you can try a variety of routes of a relatively easy grade.  It is very safe but is intended to help people get over the fear and be more comfortable on a vertical surface.  We will go over knot tying, communication between climber and belay and some basic skills.

On the Tuesday before the climb (Sept 21st) I will summarise what we will be doing on the weekend and can take some time to go over some of the basics relating to the gear.

For people keen on continuing, the MCK is a place to link up with others who are interested in acquiring their own equipment and the club loans out gear to members.  We also have intermediate climbing sessions for those interested in learning to set their own top ropes or learning to lead climb.

Friday 17th September to Sunday 19th September:Trip to Oldonyo Orok

Lawrence is organising a trip to Oldonyo Orok on Friday 17th September to Sunday 19th September. The party will leave Nairobi at around 4pm and camp at the Nairobi River lodge, hike up the mountain on Saturday, spend the night at the top and come down on Sunday. If you are interested get it touch with Lawrence, logocheche@yahoo.com