Mt. Kenya climbs

I have triumphed over Mount Kenya not once, not twice, but five times. 

The first ascent of Mount Kenya was a leap into the unknown as I was ten years old. It was 2019, and I had been hiking easy to difficult-level hills for a while.

The 5,188 metres climb to the towering snow-capped peak was both a formidable challenge and an irresistible adventure. The experience was life-changing. It sparked a desire to take on higher mountains and more challenges, including athletics.

Once was not enough for me. The allure of Mount Kenya’s majestic slopes drew me back for a second ascent. This time, I knew the route to the peaks and the overnight huts, the landscapes, and the unique beauty awaiting me at every turn. I enjoyed the climbing experience better than the first time and was more involved in the conversations with my guide and fellow hikers.

Then came the audacious DASH, solidifying my status as a true mountaineer out to make Mount Kenya my second home. This climb changed my story from a mountain climber to a pre-teen with an extraordinary story. It was an eight-hour DASH from the base to Lenana peak at 4,985 metres. 

I did it the first time, loved it, and attempted two other eight-hour DASH climbs months later. In total, I had explored Mount Kenya five times before I turned 12.