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Dangling precariously with only a rope and some hooks for support is not everyone’s idea of a great Sunday afternoon. But for rock climbers, this is the business, whether at Hell's Gate, or Mount Kenya, or at the heart of Kenyan rock climbing besides Athi River, on the cliffs of the Lukenya hills owned by the Mountain Club of Kenya.
As an extreme sport, rock climbing is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, with a global and extremely competitive following. At the rock climbing world cup last weekend - 26th and 27th September – in Belgium, Ondra Adam from the Czech Republic emerged top, followed closely by Lakunza Usobiaga from Spain, who still retains the world No 1 ranking. The top woman climber is Akiyo Noguchi from Japan.
The sport itself is thought to have begun in Europe towards the end of the nineteenth century. It has been in Kenya for almost as long, ever since Halford Mackinder did his amazing first ascent of Batian, the highest summit of Mount Kenya, nearly 100 years ago.
However, the now athletic sport of rock climbing is often confused with mountaineering. Simon Gitau, a guide at Mt. Kenya says the two are not necessarily the same. “While rock climbing may involve climbing a mountain, it does not require one for it to be possible,” Gitau says. Rock climbing instead requires the use of technical skill and equipment to climb a steep rock formation, he says.
The most popular climbing sites are Mt. Kenya and Hells gate, Naivasha. Thanks to its warm climate and serenity, Hells Gate remains the favorite climbing spot, for Sh25,000, which includes the hiring of equipment and the services of a guide. Mt. Kenya is also popular with experienced climbers for its challenging rock faces. Depending on the travel agency, a 4-day climbing trip on Mt. Kenya costs from Sh25,000 to Sh70,000. This includes meals, accommodation, and the services of a porter and guide.
But while Mt. Kenya and Hells Gate are certainly worthwhile destinations for climbing, Kenya also offers other ideal spots for sport climbing. There are 31 documented rock climbs within an hour of Nairobi, 29 of which are in the popular Lukenya hills, where most of the cliff faces are owned by the Mountain Club. The club, based at Wilson airport, organizes hiking and climbing meets at least once a month. It also offers rock-climbing for beginners once a year at Lukenya.
Ivy Mutiso, the meets coordinator at the Club, records the August climb at Lukenya. “We did some traditional rock climbing for beginners to professional levels. There were about 14 people with majority being fully paid members and the others on a daily charge.”
However, the Mountain Club will this year be stepping up its events, to celebrate 50 years of its existence in November. Leo Blyth, MCK chairman says the club is planning a series of events to celebrate the jubilee. “We want to recruit younger people to the club. Plans are also underway to have an artificial rock-wall for beginners,” he said. Members of the club meet every Tuesday at the Club house at Wilson Airport.
Mountain climbing can be risky and thus experience, athletic ability, and technical knowledge are essential to maintain safety. One small mistake in placing or using equipment can be dangerous and even fatal for the climber. But the tremendous heights and small margin for error can make for one of the biggest buzzes experienced in an extreme sport.
Climbing also comes in many types, each having its own features and methods. Mountaineering or mountain climbing usually involves climbing a steep and high mountain and requires special tools like hooks, ropes and pulleys. Bouldering is climbing low heights (not more than 12 feet off the ground) but without the equipment. Bouldering is sometimes used as training for climbing steeper and trickier ascents. There is also indoor climbing, where artificial structures serve the purpose of rock climbing.
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