On September 10, our small but strong Mount Kenya team arrived in Africa, ready to head to the mountains. The team, consisting of climber Sole Marritimi and guide Dave Ahrens, will make their way from Nairobi Naromoru to the Mount Kenya National Park Gate (8,694′) and begin their trek into the base of the mountain via the Sirimon Route. The hike from the gate to Old Moses Camp (10,826′) starts in lush forests and ends in moorland. The team will attempt several smaller peaks and some technical pitches before hitting their main objective, the North Face Standard Route on Batian.

Sole Marritimi, a Telluride resident, has summited several iconic peaks in the San Juans with Mountain Trip including Dallas Peak and Lizard Head. Sole is a strong climber who has vastly grown her skillset as an alpinist in the past several years.

Sole Marritimi (orange helmet) about to climb the last couple pitches to the summit of Lizard Head Peak, 13,114′.

She will be accompanied by long time Mountain Trip guide Dave Ahrens, of Ridgway, Colorado. Dave has guided for Mountain Trip in the Alaska Range, on several international expeditions, and most recently in southwest Colorado. He has been with us for 12 years, and we’re very happy to have him.

Dave Ahrens on the summit of Dallas Peak, 13,815′, near Telluride.

The team will be attempting several routes on Mount Kenya, including the classic North Standard Route to reach the summit of Batian at 17,057′. We wish them beautiful weather and the best of luck on their climb.