Mt Kenya Sunrise

At 5,199 meters, Mount Kenya is Africa’s second-highest peak. But it’s not the summit that draws me back — it’s the light. The way dawn breaks over the moorlands, painting the giant lobelias and groundsels in gold.

The Ascent

We started the climb from the Sirimon Gate at 2,600 meters. The forest zone gives way to bamboo, then moorland, each transition bringing new textures and light. By the third day, we were above the clouds.

The film captures 72 hours condensed into four minutes — the patience of waiting for weather windows, the exhaustion of altitude, and the quiet reward of being alone with the mountain at first light.

Behind the Scenes

Shooting film at altitude presents unique challenges. Cold batteries, fogged lenses, and the sheer physicality of carrying equipment above 4,000 meters. Every frame has to count.