This archive report was first published on 18 October 2019.
On a crisp Sunday morning, a group of nature enthusiasts gathered at the foothills of Lukenya, a prehistoric hill on the outskirts of Nairobi. The occasion was a potluck organized by Nature Kenya, a day out for nature lovers.
As we made our way to the iconic rock, we stopped by a water pan in the arid grassland dotted with euphorbias, commiphora, and acacia trees. It was here that we met Sabastian Mutiso, a member of the Mountain Club of Kenya, who was about to embark on a thrilling adventure.
"Spiderman," a seasoned rock climber, was about to conquer the Lukenya cliffs. Secured to a harness for safety, he inched his way up the gigantic rock face, finding footholds in tiny crevices and gripping handholds to make his ascent.
"It's tense, but we're secured to a harness for safety," said the climber, as he finally reached the top. A few minutes later, he rappelled down in seconds, a testament to his skill and experience.
Lukenya is a favourite among rock climbers, thanks to its proximity to Nairobi, with a 45-minute drive, and over 300 documented routes for climbers. "There's a wide range of climbing styles, and Lukenya has everything from difficult to easy climbing," said George Grayson of the Mountain Club of Kenya.
For those interested in rock climbing, the Mountain Club of Kenya hosts a "Climb and Curry" night on the first Wednesday of every month at Diamond Plaza. There are also numerous climbing routes in national parks like Tsavo West and the Aberdares, as well as remote locations like the Ndoto Mountains, waiting to be explored.
