Mount Mtelo is not popular in Kenya and it is known by few, except the Pokot people who consider sacred this big cone which stand at the margin of the escarpment looking down to Kerio valley on one side and to Uganda and Turkel dam on the other side.
The indigenous population believe to be originated from Mount Mtelo and when they pray they face the mountain in sign of respect.
As a matter of fact this mountain deserve a lot of respect also from our side, amateurs, tourists and tracking lovers. Mount Mtelo is unique, I would consider it one of the best trecking itinerary in Kenya.
The diversity of vegetation you could find going up is amazing and the all over green color relax your eyes! The spectacular view is an asset. The height is affordable by most and the mild climate is also a great added value during the climb.
The dramatic deforestation and the maize fields
Since I visited Kerio Valley, looking up I was attracted by the cone of the mountain, unique in its shape, and higher than the rest. I asked to the pastoralist in Masol about it. Their reply was very encouraging. The sacred mountain has many given gifts, they were saying to me with their proud and fiery eyes. I was also informed by many that at the footstep of the mountain there is a lodge managed by a local who can accompany his guests to the top. What better project for me, always looking for new challenges than reach the lodge and search around? Therefore I soon climb to the lodge with our car following the unique cement rail “looks like” track made by the French in 80 years. Going up the view is incommensurable. The beauty of wild Africa open up to your eyes! John is the owner and Manager of the lodge. The Mount Mtelo Lodge is made of few traditional huts (three of them self contained) and is well placed at 1900 meters in the middle of the green valley at the footsteps of Mtelo. John is an enthusiastic fellow, unique for its commitment and dedication for his community and for the guests. It has been an easy job than to organize the climb to the top with him talking about the details in front of the camp fire looking at the stars which inspired the following day ascends.
We woke up at 5 a.m. and after a quick breakfast we moved on. The Team composed by me, my Ethiopian girl friend, my driver Sammy, the guide Alexander, and John sun Obson started at 6,05 .a.m. when we crossed the gate lodge. The easy walk to the river passing through the village sign the beginning of the real ascend to the Mountain. We crossed the river jumping from one stone to the other than following the guide we initiated to climb along a stony path, illuminated by the first glance of light of the sunrise.
After forty-five minutes of easy slope we entered in the maize fields. The forest used to begin where now the cultivated fields occupy the fertile organic soil. Deforestation has been aggressive in these areas. Climbing up on a steep path before we reached the plane which dominate the valleys on both sides, I could noticed the bad terracing of the lands, which if left as it is, will bring inevitable soil erosion in the valley.
Incorrect terracing practices
Run off of water coming down from the mountains will be the challenge. Terracing should be more accurate, margins eventually to be planted with vetiver, nepia grass and sugar canes. I will try to let the people do it! The flat hill we reached after one hour walk is a good place for a break.
Katugh pass
We had some rest for few minutes, than we continued our promenade for an other 500 meters along the pleasant soft grass kept low by the grazing; here the slope is gentle, and few scattered trees still stand curved by the force of the wind. Here there is a water point recently arranged by a British guy, Thierry, who completed several valuable micro-projects in the area
The few scattered trees on the flat resting place at Katugh pass
The Thierry ‘s water point
Planting a tree
The slope get quite steep after this site until the forest which commence at 2700 meters a.s.l. Walking into the pluvial tropical forest was an amazing experience. Podocarpus, Olea and prunus Africana, ciders and more species are enriching this unique piece of the original forest. The colombus monkeys are populating the branches of the trees and they were a pleasant encounter along the way. In our effort of protecting the environment we brought with us three (3) elgon tick seedlings, an endemic species of a valuable tree. We stopped for few minutes all of us and one by one, respectively me, Sara and Sammy we planted the trees at the margin of the forest.
At certain point we entered into a dense bamboo forest that goes up to 3000 meters before the last trees start to decrease in number until only few of them stand at the high altitude and at the margin of a rocky hill from where we commenced the last and most difficult ascend to the peak. In fact, the last 300 meters of difference in height was the hardest. They are quite steep but most of all the trecking get hard because of the narrow path that climb inside the very dense low alpine vegetation. The path is sliding because of the moist and being eroded by the rains has many steeps that after four hour of trecking result to be tiring for people who is not trained. After few minutes we left behind the fantastic view which was attracting our glance every now and than, and we step into the fog. In fact, the clouds around 10 o’ clock are often cover the peak. At 11 o’clock after 5 hours and 55 minutes of walk we reached the top of the mountain; my watch altimeter showed an altitude of 3360 meters. The peak is a small flat natural square covered by grass and surrounded by the dense alpine vegetation which offer a good protection by the wind. We stayed at the top for almost 45 minutes waiting for a clear sky. We took pictures in front of a cross which indicate the altitude. We also cleaned the grass from the plastic bags left behind by some rude people. The break did not pay off despite our efforts in cleaning off and after a quick meal we initiated the descend still into the clouds.
The descent took three and halph hours, it was not an easy job at all. The legs got already tired after the first part in the low dense shrubs due to the sliding path. Once in the forest we crossed some pastures on the way up, and John’s boy, Obson, suddenly stopped and informed them about our tree planting in the quest to protect the seedlings from possible animal eating. A very commendable action for a 14 years old boy! The last hour of descend in the cultivated fields was also hard. We reached the river at 3,10, tired but happy for the unique adventure and for the unforgettable day. Far better than many other day spent in climbing other known mountains. A trecking up to the peak of Mount Mtelo is a must for all the mountain and nature lovers.
Cleaning the plastic at the peak and the low dense vegetation around
Recommendations:
it would be good to start to climb at 4 a.m. in order to enjoy the best during the rainy season. The alternative is to spend the night in a tent at the margin of the forest. The goal should be to arrive at the peak at 8 a. m. the latest to avoid clouds and get the best light of the morning.
The best time for the ascend is from October to March during dry season to avoid spell of rains and moist condition.
Try to keep the environment clean. Avoid to leave behind plastic bags, it takes more than 50 years for a small plastic bag to get rotten…
Every climber should bring with him one tree seedling (available in the nursery in the lodge) to be planted at the margin of the forest
The cross at the peak should be removed. An inspiring T would be the right option with the altitude and the name on it.
The cross at the peak
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