THE SOUTH-EAST FACE OF MOUNT KENYA 491 
Anyone proposing to make a serious expedition in this 
country should first choose the right time of year, for the 
reasons that I have already mentioned ; this is most important. 
Some form of spirit or oil stove is required, since fuel is almost 
unobtainable above 12,000 feet. The usual food taken on 
alpine expeditions is very suitable ; hut it is hardly necessary 
to take great precautions for ice and snow work, since the 
glaciers appear to be limited in extent, most of the prominent 
peaks being almost bare rock. As far as I was able to judge, 
from the point that I reached, the actual climbing would 
present little difficulty to any experienced mountaineer, unless 
in an attempt to survey the ice-field. The great variations 
of temperature, with the very hot sun at midday, make 
travelling unduly trying, and a rapid ascent should not be 
attempted. A base camp can be conveniently made at about 
10,000 feet. Starting from Chief Mbogole’s location, in Mwimbe, 
an intermediate camp for one night in the forest at about 
8000 feet will enable the base camp to be reached with comfort 
on the following day. It would be almost impossible to make 
a higher base than this, since it is the last point where any 
considerable quantity of firewood can be found. A stay 
of two or three days might with advantage be made at this 
point, to acclimatise the members of the expedition and for 
scientific work. Another 8000 feet could then be managed with 
light tents and the most necessary supplies, which could be 
carried by native porters up to the next camp — say, 18,000 
feet or a little less. From this point they could return to the 
base camp the same day, which would enable them to spend 
the night in a camp where firewood was plentiful. From this 
point at 18,000 feet, the advance would have to be made only 
by carefully chosen men, with some little experience of 
mountaineering. Should a native be taken, very warm 
clothing would have to be provided for him. 
At about 12,500 feet there is a gully at least 200 feet deep, 
which divides the eastern portion of the mountain from the 
final peak. This gully should well repay exploration, as it 
appears to run right into the mountain, the sides growing 
more precipitous and higher, until a curve hides the end from 
sight. Between these two walls is a stretch of ground covered 
KK 
