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Slideshow (27 photos)

Tsavo (Kenya), Kitchwa Tembo (map)
 

During a break in the drive, Gitau repairs the engine

 

Some final sandy pits are crossed before we find a suitable camp site

 

Super dense jungle on the approach to our camp site

 

Chris asking for directions and explaining what we're doing. Rock climbing seemed very foreign to the locals.

 

Chris and Corporal Bulge look around for a suitable place to camp…preferable not next to the river where all the big game are

 

Corporal Bulge shows Chris the fresh lion tracks; we're not gonna camp here

 

Forest canopy above our tents

 

Adjusting the hat for the photo

 

Jim and the Corporal examine the fresh hippo tracks near the camp site (Copyright © Chris Yenkey)

The lower summit of Kitchwa Tembo. We climbed the highest rock formation on the left. (Copyright © Chris Yenkey)

 

Another view of Kitchwa Tembo (Copyright © Chris Yenkey)

 

The ridgeline has endless opportunities for climbing

 

Our camp below Kitchwa Tembo

 

The approach to the east face of Kitchwa Tembo was some of the thickest bushwhacking I've done. Afterwards, I threw my pants and socks into the garbage.

 

More bushwhacking

 

The approach was harder than the climbing…at least more effort

 

Covenant: Finally up at the col, we can start our climb up the large obvious spire

 

Covenant: We soloed the ridge up to the base of the final spire, about 5.5 or so

 

Covenant: At the base of the final spire, Chris pulls the vegetation away from the mouth of the chimney

 

Covenant: Chris arrives at the top of the chimney. This feature was unprotected for more than 100', and about 5.7 in difficulty.

 

Covenant: On the summit (Copyright © Chris Yenkey)

Covenant: Rappelling ths chimney on the descent

 

Covenant: On the descent, we swam across the opening of this crevass, fully supported by cactus and other vegetation (Copyright © Chris Yenkey)

 

Thick jungle on the approach (Copyright © Chris Yenkey)

 

Displaying the skin of a cobra (Copyright © Chris Yenkey)

 

Covenant: Serious heat and not enough water (Copyright © Chris Yenkey)

 

Covenant: Approaching the summit (Copyright © Chris Yenkey)