Scott Holcomb's photos with the keyword: Kenya

Far above the dense forest, chaparral and grasslands of Mt. Kenya is a 4,000m+ valley, a perfect location to set up base camp for an ascent to Point Lenana, the highest accessible point without rock climbing expertise. As the sun sets the temperature immediately plunges below freezing in spite of its equatorial latitude. This image came from two 35mm negatives shot from a Yashica ELECTRO 35CC camera, scanned by an HP Scanjet G4050, merged and restored using multiple Photoshop operations.

When ascending a mountain such as Mt Kenya one passes through numerous distinct ecological and climatic zones. It seems that for every 250-300 meters rise in altitude one enters a new zone. Pictured here at well over 4,000m altitude is the East African Montane Moorland Zone characterized by sparse scrub brush and tufts of hardy grass with primitive-looking Lobelia and Giant Groundsel. The temperature swings are extreme, ranging from 25ºC or higher during the daytime to -5ºC at night. This is not what one might expect directly on the equator--but, of course, the altitude determines the climate. This image came from a 35mm negative shot from a Yashica ELECTRO 35CC camera, scanned by an HP Scanjet G4050 and restored using multiple Photoshop operations.

Mt Kenya is that country's highest peak and second highest in Africa topping out at nearly 5200m. 4-wheel drive tracks lead to an area about 3,000m up the mountain where camping is possible and a trailhead to the summit begins. The flora and fauna change dramatically with the altitude. Since the peak lies directly on the equator every environment from tepid tropical to alpine tundra can be achieved in a days' climb. The restoration of this 35 year old photo required the scanning of the 35mm Kodak negative with an HP Scanjet 5470c and multiple Photoshop operations.

The tropical glaciers of Mt. Kenya are impressive. In the more that 35 years that have passed since this photo was taken I suspect the ice has receded significantly. This image came from a 35mm negative shot from a Yashica ELECTRO 35CC camera, scanned by an HP Scanjet G4050 and restored using multiple Photoshop operations.