DARING MT. KENYA

There was enough interest in me to suggest I had picked up a mountaineering problem in recent times. I couldn’t ignore the percolating feeling that gradually kept prying on my mind even though the mountains were little known to me. I thought of myself standing on those trails I desired from pictures, those glaciers projected to disappear in the coming years, and before the deep imaginations could evade my grasp I was already doing good research on how and when to summit Mt. Kenya. I wasn’t getting away from this one, I was trapped and there was only one way out, to give in.

After numerous messages and calls with a renown mountaineer, the day approached and we were off to battle with the mountain, I had used my little-known-influence and managed to get a few heads sold on the idea to a great effect. I had a team beside me and we were all gearing and ready to have a taste of the most sought after hike in the country.

The journey from Nairobi was refreshing as most of us had not left the capital in a few months, the air was filled with pleasure and promise and I certainly wasn’t surprised by the sheer pull and tug I wallowed in. Faces were brightened as excitement dictated every chat as we rode deeper and further away from the capital. One could easily imagine we were approaching the long awaited circle of love and light.

Our first destination was Nanyuki before we promptly proceeded to spend the night in Meru categorically jonesing the idea of hiking the following day.

The morning of 20th December 2020 had very little in terms of elegance, romance and sophistication as we all woke up to dawn our hiking gear most of which were items from the the famous Gikomba market, the Mountains were calling and I was taking plenty of interest as excuses were intolerable on the day, I was ready.

We sped-off towards Chogoria and after a few meanders in a beauty-filled road the mountain battles began, luckily it was our small saloon car that was taking the hit as we kept pushing it through the steep terrains all the way to Chogoria gate.

There was a unified holding of breath in complete agreement the view was a beauty seeing the Mountains stretching themselves into the clouds, ripping down that blue cast in a bid to expose heaven itself.

LAKE ELLIS BOUND

The tingle of anticipation that had been building for days was finally getting addressed as we set foot into the trails leading to Lake Ellis for a night of camping, It was a three hour hike that was testing from every front but our purpose never wavered as we had a clear motive, to see it all. The deeper we got in the more surreal it got, it was encircled by wind gusts, raindrops, cool temperatures, sunny moments and echoes as we leaned closer and closer to the famous Lake Ellis.

The challenges kept coming but we marched on big as life and twice as bold as every stride gave a different jolt and a punch of excitement that kept melting my knees, it was a “gameofthronesesque” vibe. We made several stops as heavy breathing was the new normal, ironical sweating as temperatures dropped the higher we got. Our guide had a hack of going higher before eventually descending on a seeable ground in their well thought out trails to help in acclimatisation of the body.

The atmosphere on itself kept changing rapidly, the trails not so rapid, “watch your steps!’ our guide could be heard saying. One had to be watchful to avoid toppling over as the tufts got slippery and relatively difficult.

The first stretch of the hike was generally golden moorlands before we disappeared into a forest rich area with crisp dense air that was calm and giving a nest of contentment regardless of the altitude changing. There was a stretch of dead trees as a result of wildfires the previous year.

The second phase of this hike was basically on a stony trail with valleys and winding roads, the more we surged the more I felt pleased, I was in a mountain mood.

It was a good blend of climbing up the hills and descending but of course the former was more as Lake Ellis is one of Mt. Kenyas glacier lakes sitting at an altitude of 3470m above sea level.

Wind gusts and a foggy atmosphere were slowly starting to creep in an obvious suggestion Lake Ellis was a stone throw away. The final phase came with a fresh twist of desire as the view became less visible and Lake Ellis was seemingly not getting any nearer. I needed more fuel in the tank and in pulling out my water bottle from side pocket of my rucksack, the water was chilled and I thought to myself, no piece meat would go bad in these temperatures, it was cold. I stopped pulled out my balaclava, wore it and added a few more layers to keep warm.

We flew-by Lake Ellis in no time, it was apparently covered by fog but the slightest notion of arrival gave us a different kind of kick, the sheer simplicity of pleasure. The delight in seeing Lake Ellis in her glory was adding polished layers of expression on my face, every glance, every stare, every inflection was making my eyes alight with intent and promise. I always had a head for adventure and a view for such magic and this Mountain had definitely wheedled its way into my good graces. It won.

It’s a beautiful place, mountains, valleys, a Lake so sublime and great trout fishing. I was intrigued! I had never been to a hike which was the first of two secrets i kept, the other was I couldn’t fish, I thought as I saw a camper fly-fishing.

I absorbed it as we went-by, I was due for evening tea, my insides were curling with an appetite for a good jolt of warmth to cop with the new normal before us, the temperatures were quickly turning into freezing cold.

Our potters had already set camp, prepared everything and a bonfire was up in flames incase one needed the fire itself. You surely do need a camp fire going in such cold temperatures, we were grateful for such hospitality as we dropped everything in our designated camping tents and came out to enjoy tea and later dine with the Lake as our front yard, what a time to be alive, it was breathtaking inch for inch, desire definitely shot up the ritcher scale.

We pitched camp by the fire trying to claim warmth in great quantities as the writings were on the wall, it was going to be a long cold night. I surrendered back to my tent guided by the headlamps and tried to cozy up with the help of a hot water bottle tucked in the heavy sleeping bag i had shoved myself in.

The night rode on as I struggled to sleep, there were many good things to say about the experience so far but it wasn’t time for sentiment. The night had cast its spell and the temperatures quickly plummeted, the night had a point to prove and the cold was non-negotiable. Just a quick reminder, the Mountain isn’t your everyday elegant trip, it won’t allow for the luxury of negotiations.

I was woken up by the whistling of birds, I popped open my tent and daybreak was upon us, it was nothing like I had seen before, the warmth of the blazing fiery sunlight, the smooth welcoming-open-hand of it, it kept sending silent whispers as if saying child be bold and come to me. My energy levels shot even higher erasing the lingering sensations and energy spurts from the long cold night. It was a whole new different feeling, satisfying as Lake Ellis seemed to have a lot of pride and power that was hard to resist.

I took a stroll towards the Lake and the air sizzled from every step, there was a visible spark initiating the prospect of capturing the already pictureesque Lake I had ever seen. My words were failing me but things usually happen as they are supposed to happen, it had enough magic to sustain the world’s growing list of travelers. It was time to sit back and absorb every ounce of it with a ride in a story.

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