Mount Longonot

On Friday, Simon's class went on a field trip to Mount Longonot.  Tim joined the Grade 4 class on this rugged climb in the Great Rift Valley.   Mount Longonot is a dormant volcano which last erupted in the 1860s.  The mountain is about 100km north of Nairobi at an elevation of 2700m.  The climb from the base of the mountain to the crater at the top is 630m.  It is a very steep climb with deep gulleys that make the trek even more challenging.  The volcanic ash on the ground makes it a bit slippery -- and dirty too.

 There is also wildlife in the area of the mountain and on the climb.  Simon and Tim saw several small herds of Eland (large, moose-like creatures)  They did not see any buffalo, zebra, giraffe or leopards which also live on the mountain .

 The view from the top is beautiful.  A look inside the crater is also very interesting.  A forest of small trees covers the floor of the crater.  A hike around the rim of the crater is even more challenging than the climb to the peak.  Small steam vents are visible around the walls of the crater.