MT. KILIMAMBOGO CHRONICLES

Mount Kilimambogo, as I know it  now, is not only a sight seeing spot but a fitness center. Reason being, there are not only panoramic sights and views along the way, but the terrain has also something to offer. Mt. Kilimambogo, which is situated at Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park is like a  moody lover who inspires emotional highs and lows. One minute it fills you with a rush of passion, the next you're full of furry.

We started our climb at around 1100hrs. As I chugged along, I couldn't hide my excitement. Clearly, I was all stoked up for the walk. The walk seemed to conjure up memories of the Matter Heart Run walks that I occasionally participate in; fun, pomp and adventure, while still supporting a noble cause. This walk was similar to it in a way; fun, adventure and most importantly, exercise while still at it(so I thought). However, I had no inkling whatsoever of the trail that was before us.

We weaved our way up the dusty murram road before we came to a steep, meandering ascent uphill which had rocky stones scattered in an ascending manner. The walk up was steep, strenuous and windy but manageable given the fact that our strength was still intact. In a span of about twenty minutes, the place had already shown me its beauty before treating me to it's tougher side.

We successfully surmounted the first climb and landed meticulously on the dusty murram road, just like skilled mountaineers-armed with our backpacks and water bottles. I felt so relieved to have conquered the first steep. We trudged on...our steps steady as ever!

Unbeknownst to me, the trek was only beginning. We had barely covered a kilometer and the total distance to the summit was approximately 12.6 kilometer uphill. For starters, I was not so keen on the distance covered. In fact, it didn't occur to me that it will be a rather tasking or challenging walk. I was expecting a leisurely kind of walk.

It was when I tackled the second sloppy terrain that I started taking note of the distance covered! A guard on standby assured us that we were not far off from the summit. In hindsight, his assurance was a tad bit true but it was well needed in that situation.

The trail was flanked on either side by indigenous trees and rocks. We stopped occasionally to soak in on the view below. As we snaked up hill, our loud banter was slowly replaced with heavy gasping. Our legs became heavier with each preceding step. After the second hour of climbing up the slope, I was really starting to feel like a dawdler. Other groups, in the spirit of team building waxed past me at an impressive speed. Their motivation somehow lifted our spirits, and we lumbered along at our slow speed and the road finally led us uphill to an expansive picnic ground.

It felt quite fulfilling to finally reach the summit. My excitement was however short-lived when I discovered there was no view point from the peak. Like seriously? We arranged our picnic baskets and had lunch amidst banter and conversation of the adventurous climb.

Fast forward to our descent down hill. Sweaters were tied nonchalantly round our waists and woebegone expressions were written all over our faces. My legs were quivering like twigs about to snap and our dust tinted canvas dragged on the road as we lumbered along the terrain. The terrain had literally sapped up my energy.We passed up a group of tourists taking photos and enjoying the scenery. Perhaps they had come to soak up a vestige of the bygone buffaloes that once inhabited the forest, or perhaps they'd just come to walk, like us. We stopped for some few minutes to enjoy the scenery before we continued.

Luckily, the walk downhill was not as challenging as uphill, We were at the foot of the mountain in record time, albeit the last ones. Truth is, I'm not as fit as my physique may suggest. More so, for a person who's never been to any strenuous hike, or even Ngong Hills, I gathered that I performed fairly well.

If I were to pick up one word to sum up my experience at Kilimambogo it'd be adventure. Every moment was vividly and intensely felt, albeit painfully. Thanks to the terrain, it earned me a bonus rest day and a remarkable life lesson; As we journey on with life, sometimes we have the urge and thoughts of giving up but we always have to set our eyes on the price. Giving up is not an option- Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must, just never give up!

This tour re-ignited my wanderlust sate in so many different levels; Here's to more adventures in future. That's what life is all about, isn't it? Seizing new opportunities, doing things you won't normally do, being open to the accidental and surmounting obstacles.

        Photography; Courtesy of Joseph Mwai(Ediagrams Photography)

Thanks Joseph for capturing those moments. I guess they're called moments because they don't last very long!

Sincerely Beccah