Table Mountain & Seven Ponds Traverse
Table Mountain X Seven Ponds Traverse
We kick off the new Altomatum challenge by traversing two notoriously steep trails in the Northern Nyandarua moorlands, Table Mountain and Seven Ponds. This one is a softer, never less deserving traverse, which any intermediate or advanced hiker can confidently undertake.
We depart Nairobi at 3:30 in the morning, aiming to hit the trail by 7:00 a.m. Our hike takes us up the new Table Mountain trail to the summit in 6.5km. It then continues 3km on a fairly gentle trek through the golden Northern Nyandarua moorlands to get to the Seven Ponds point (3,831m). Finally, we descend 5.5km down a steep trail back to our starting point.
Hiking Distance: 15km
Maximum Elevation: 3,831m
Total Elevation Gain: 1,300m
Hiking time: 8-10 hours
Table Mountain X Seven Ponds Hike Itinerary
3:15 a.m Meet up at International House Parking, City Hall Way. Boarding opens.
3:30 a.m Departure for Mikeu Center.
06:30 Arrival at Mikeu
07:00 a.m Hike Starts
01:00 p.m Mandatory turn-back before Table Mountain summit and descent to avoid encounters with wild animals after dusk
06:30 p.m Departure for Nairobi
Mode of hiking: Time target-based
You shall receive targets to evaluate your progress throughout the hike. The turn-back time before Table Mountain summit is 1:30 p.m.
Charges
- Kenyan & East African Citizens - 4,600/=
- Foreigner with Kenyan Residency - 4,600/=
- Non-Resident Foreigner - 12,800/=
- Citizen Self-drive - 2,950/=
Trip Includes & Cancellation Policy
What to Wear
- Quick-drying tshirt
- Quick-drying pants
- Fleece jacket
- Sun hat or cap
- Well-treaded hiking shoes
What to Carry
- 3L water and suitable snacks
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants
- Trekking pole
- Identification documents
How to Prepare for the Hike
- Engage in active cardio exercises such as aerobics, walking, running, cycling, and swimming among others the week prior to the event.
- Set aside the day before the hike for resting--take a break from exercises.
- Increase your hydration at least two days to the hike.
- Purpose to get enough rest the night before the hike.
- If on intermittent fasting or on a diet, take a break in the period one day before and after the hike. This way, you will build up your energy reserves for the arduous task ahead.
- Cut your toe nails!
- Have a generous breakfast at least 3 hours before the start of the hike. This ensures that most of the food has been digested by the time you begin the hike, giving you the much-needed energy while ensuring your stomach is not too full for comfort.
- Use the bathroom before leaving the house to reduce the need for bathroom breaks on the commute.
- Set your mind up for conquering yourself. Hiking is more about your mindset than physical preparation. Once you win the battle in your mind, everything else contributes less than 10%. You can do it!