Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano, with glaciers crashing over old lava and snow-capped summits. The two highest summits, Batian (17,057ft/5,199m) and Nelion (17,021ft/5,188m), are almost vertical in places and are considered tough climbs. All in all, it is one of the most challenging mountains to climb in Africa. Its name comes from the Kikuyu word miji wa nyumba yake, which means "mother of clouds". Mount Kenya is located in western Kenya, near the border with Tanzania. Part of the Virunga Range, it forms a barrier between Lake Victoria and the Indian Ocean. Two thirds of the mountain is covered by forest, with the rest being used for pasture. The climate of Mount Kenya is generally consistent with that of other high-altitude regions of Africa and the world at large: cold during the day but relatively warm at night. The altitude affects the weather: as you rise above the tree line, there is less moisture in the air, so it can be dry even in the rainy season. It usually rains only at certain times of year, and not every day. During these periods, storms can hit the mountain without warning or cease suddenly. Summit views are breathtaking: on a clear day, you can see all the way to the Indian Ocean.