June 30th: Lewa marathon – MCK team

It’ll be really hard, but most rewarding! This world renowned marathon will take place on June 30^th (only 3 months to go!) and whether you’re in for a half or a full marathon, we would like to form an MCK team to participate in the event.  Check out the event’s website here: http://www.safaricom.co.ke/safaricommarathon/

Registration for the full marathon is individual and registration for the half marathon is in teams of up to 10 people. The registration cost of each team is fixed, so the more people the cheaper the race. Clarification: team members do not necessarily have to run side by side during the race.

Important: registration officially closes on May 18^th but capacity is limited to 1000 runners and this is happening considerably fast. The marathon organizers expect capacity to be full by the 7/8 of April. If you want to participate, we need to form teams and sign up fast!

Finally, as part of the marathon training, we can get together once a month (at least) for long trail runs. The first run to be held at Mount Longonot on April 1^st.

If interested, contact me at federicohinrichs@gmail.com

September 22nd : La Pedriza, La Cabrera and Gredos, Spain with Jeff

Climbing, Hiking and Biking in Spain: La Pedriza, La Cabrera and Gredos. From Sept 22, meet and stay at Jeff Mariner's house in the sierra near La Pedriza and La Cabrera with excellent climbing and hiking. Later in the week travel to the mountains of Gredos for climbing and hiking. Ending approximately Oct 1. Contact Jeff Mariner info@mck.or.ke

15th - 25th Feb 2013 : Ruwenzoris with Jeff

A hiking circuit of the Rwenzori's including two to three peaks. As with the last trip, we will organize in groups of 5. Groups may have different objectives. We are considering the Portal Peaks and Savoia Peak on Mt. Stanley for those who have already done Margerita on Mt. Stanley and Mt. Speke. Contact Jeff Mariner info@mck.or.ke

9-10th June : Climbing Weekend at Lukenya

The Lukenya climbing weekend is coming up on June 9-10. We want to encourage climbers of all levels to come down. There will be top ropes set up for beginners (no previous experience needed) and we will also go over repelling technique for those with those who have done a bit of climbing already. This will include putting up the anchors. Those interested in leading can team up with more experienced climbers and share their skills in lead climbing.

 

This is a two day event that will begin on Saturday at 10 AM. In the evening, we will go up to the top and camp with more climbing on Sunday.

 

For those coming for the day, they should bring a hat, sun screen, lunch and a couple liters of water. The club can provide all climbing gear. For those camping, you will need to bring the full range of camping gear or arrange to share with others.

 

Those interested who can provide rides, please send an E-mail to info@mck.or.ke saying when you plan to drive down and return. Those needing a ride should contact those offering rides. If you don't find a ride by Thursday, the 7th, send me a message and I will try to sort it out.

 

Directions:

 

Lukenya is located along the Mombasa Rd on the left as you head towards Mombasa. It is between the turn to Athi River and the turn to Machakos. It is a hill with a number of rock faces just to the side of the road. It is 36.6 from the Nyayo roundabout to the left hand turn to Lukenya Academy. Note the school is called ACADEMY and this turn is after the Lukenya craig clearly visible from the road on the left. This turn is also just after the new cement factory on the right. Do not turn at any schools, (Lukenya) or otherwise, that don't call them selves an academy.

 

I have attached a map of the Lukenya area. Use the access road labeled ‘new access track’ on the map. This means you must pass through the Lukenya Academy gate. There should be an askari and people around to direct you to the MCK climbing area.

 

We will meet at the South picnic tree.

 

Fees:

 

There is a 300 Ksh fee for gear, if you use the clubs personal gear (shoes, harness and helmet). It doesn’t matter how much gear you use or if it is for one or two days, its just 300 Ksh. These is no charge if you have your personal gear for using the shared gear like ropes or the anchor building. There is a 400 Ksh fee for each non-member per day for non-members. Alternately, you can join the club. There is an option for temporary three month memberships for those around for only a couple months. For campers, we will need to share the cost of the askari between us.

 

If you have any questions, let me know at info@mck.or.ke

Jeff

May 4th - 6th - Mt Kenya with Cody.

There is a hike up Mt. Kenya being organized for this coming weekend, May 4^th-6^th. We will be taking the Naro Moru route. We can carpool and will leave on Friday afternoon at 2pm from the Shell Petrol station in front of the Sankara hotel just up from the Westlands roundabout. We will drive up to Naro Moru and pick up Hiram (the guide) and then drive to Met Station where we will stay on Friday night. Hiram is saying that any vehicles that are planning to drive need to be 4-wheel drive. We will hike from Met Station to Makinder’s on Saturday and then summit on Sunday morning and return all the way to Nairobi by Sunday evening (approx. 8pm). According to the price quote by Hiram the trip will cost approximately 15,000ksh per person (if 5 hikers go, and reducing slightly if more people go), which includes accommodation, food, guide and porters, and park entry fee (residents). Each person will need to bring their own hiking gear, rain gear, and sleeping gear. If anyone is interested in joining please contact Cody Lidster 

26th - 27th May : Nguruman with Jill

Saturday 26^th May

1. Meet @ Nguruman campsite by 5pm to set up camp

2. Anyone interested in leading a day visit group through the hot springs and/or Olorgessailleplz get touch.

Sunday 27^th May

1. Leave camp @ 6am to avoid hiking up in the heat.

2. Drive to base of the hike

3. Hike to top and rest in the waterfall (bring swimsuits)

4. Hike back down to the cars

5. Drive to camp and then on to Nairobi

Rates:

1. Camp fees: 500/= per person

2. Guide fees: 1,500/= fee per guide (will be divided among participants…max 8/guide)

3. Conservancy fees for hike to Nguruman: 400/- residents, 700/- non-residents

4. (Optional) Game drive: 1,500/= per person to be organized directly with camp

**Please note that non-members pay a fee of 400/=per day**

Contact person: Jill Craig, info@meets.or.ke

Deadline for booking: Saturday, May 12 – limited availability, so book quickly

Jill will be at the March Supper Night (March 27) to field questions about this trip.

April 24th : Supper night

This month's slideshow: "Gorillas and Guerrillas" - A week hiking in the Virunga National Park, eastern DRC - Africa's oldest National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the world's most active volcanoes, as well as mountain gorillas and chimpanzees." by Mike McCartney.

Details of supper will be circulated later.