Three Weekends of Madness

We reimagined the way mountain traverses can be done and redesigned the way any hiker can test their endurance. Previously, The Altomatum Challenge was a preserve for only the fittest, most accomplished hikers who could go the farthest in the shortest time.

The New Altomatum gives everyone who understands hiking a chance to see how far they can go--or go all the way if they can!

We restructured the Nyandarua traverses to include a single point for entry and exit without dampening the challenge. And, because the challenge is not complete without a big mountain, we threw in a Mount Kenya day dash to replace the Mount Kenya Peak Circuit. This way, you can try to go all the way and unleash the beast hiker in you, or you can go the farthest you can and push your limits next time.

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

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 1:00 p.m.

The Climax: Mount Kenya Day Dash on Naromoru Route

We wrap up the new Altomatum challenge by attempting to get to Mt. Kenya Point Lenana in a day. It's been done before, and if you have made it thus far, it's certainly worth a try!

We depart Nairobi on Friday at 11 a.m, aiming to get to the Mount Kenya Naromoru gate (2,400m) by 3 p.m. We shall then drive 9km into the park to get to Met Camp (3,048m), where we shall spend the evening. We arise at 1 a.m and have breakfast, targeting to hit the trail by 2 a.m.

Our trek takes us 10km to Mackinders Camp (4,300m), where we shall have a light breakfast before continuing on the brutally steep climb towards Austrian Hut (4,790m) and, finally, Point Lenana (4,895m) in 4km. We shall then descend all the way back to Met Camp, where we shall board our buses back to Nairobi.

Hiking Distance: 28km

Maximum Elevation: 4,895m

Total Elevation Gain: 1,984m

Hiking time: 14-16 hours

Mode of hiking: Time target-based

You shall receive targets to evaluate your progress throughout the hike. The turn-back time before Mackinders Camp is 2:00 p.m. The latest time by which the last person must get to Point Lenana is 12:30 p.m.