Main Face is the largest of all the Lukenia crags and dominates the view from the North Picnic Tree. In terms of stature, this cliff is second only to Edinburgh castle at Lukenia, and like the castle, it has always been sadly neglected despite the presence of the beautiful climb Pier, which has existed there for over thirty years, people have come to this cliff mainly to ascend Bandstand. The old Lukenia guidebooks have frequently stated that belays and protections are difficult to find on this face but with modern equipment this is far from the truth. The climbs on the Main Face to the right of Arthurs Horror are various in number and their final pitches tend to merge on the upper slabs where on can in any case wander at will. The route descriptions pinpoint the starts but make little attempt to specify the remainder of the climb. Once past the initial pitches the slab climbing is no more that V.D 4a standard throughout and it is suggested that climbers choose their own lines of exit. Care should be taken here as protection due to doubtful flakes but good, if spaced out protection can be found if looked for carefully. It consists of three sections: South End—the dark vegetated slabs on the far left, the overhang above, the recessed slabs and walls immediately to their right. Main Face—the majority of the face with the longest climbs. North End— the shorter climbs at the right-hand end past the gully.
The routes below are located from left to right on the crag.
Recommended routes: Arthur’s Horror—S. Colin’s Caper—S. Bandstand—V.S. Snake—V.D.
©Lukenya is owned by the Mountain Club of Kenya and entrance is free for members. Non-members have to pay for a daily membership (KES400 for Kenyan citizens, KES800 for others, payable by Mpesa paybill no 880926. Account: guest fee). No commercial groups are allowed. Some climbs are occasionally off-limits when eagles are nesting (in particular Eagles Nest Face). If this is the case its normally communicated on a notice in the sign-on book at the gate and through a climber whatsapp group.
©Lukenya is mostly trad. No bolting is allowed without a special permission from the Mountain Club of Kenya.
©Older description of the Main Face
The climbs on Main Face are now so many in number that their final pitches tend to merge on the upper slabs where one can in any case wander at will. The route descriptions pinpoint the starts but make no attempt to specify the remainder of the climb. Once past the initial pitches the slab climbing is no more than V.D. standard throughout (with the exceptions of the Spot, Arthur’s Horror and Colin’s Caper, Severes) and it is suggested that climbers choose their own lines of exit. Care should be taken up here as the lack of protection and some doubtful flakes give the climbs a serious air [written 1973].
In terms of stature this cliff is second only to Edinburgh Castle at Lukenia, and like The Castle it has always been sadly neglected. Despite the presence of the beautiful climb Pier which has existed here for over thirty years, people have come to this cliff mainly to ascend Bandstand. The old Lukenia guidebooks have frequently stated that belays and protection are difficult to find on this face, but with modern equipment this is far from the truth [written 1991]. The following routes are best reached by driving northwards along the car track until the road veers left at a point below the central portion of Main Face. A trail then leads up to the base of Main Face and reaches it near the beginning of Fanny's Fright, and then continues southwards along the base, of the cliff past the starts of Dilemma, Colin's Caper and the classic Arthur's Horror. It then leads on rising to the start of Bandstand.
©Some content has been provided under license from: © Mountain Club of Kenya (Copyright Mountain Club of Kenya)
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theCrag.com is a free guide for rock climbing areas all over the world, collaboratively edited by keen rock climbers, boulderers and other nice folks.You can log all your routes, connect and chat with other climbers and much more...» go exploring, » learn more or » ask us a questionVS 4b | ★★★ Bandstand | ||
VS | ★★★ Gangplank | ||
HVS 5a | ★★★ Pier |