En route to the mountain, we were overwhelmed with the welcome from local schoolchildren, dancers, drummers and singers in the field of a rural school in Runyenjes, near Embu. The highlight for me was a superb choral speaking piece called “Peacemakers”, in which the dancers and singers from Plainsview School rendered an appreciation of what the charitable trust had achieved in changing how people cared about their community. I was choked up with tears.
We then had to put all emotions away to get a good night’s sleep in before the drive to Mt Kenya. My stomach turned over and over with excitement and sheer fear at the sight of what we had to climb the following morning.
En route to the mountain, we were overwhelmed with the welcome from local schoolchildren, dancers, drummers and singers in the field of a rural school in Runyenjes, near Embu. The highlight for me was a superb choral speaking piece called “Peacemakers”, in which the dancers and singers from Plainsview School rendered an appreciation of what the charitable trust had achieved in changing how people cared about their community. I was choked up with tears.
We then had to put all emotions away to get a good night’s sleep in before the drive to Mt Kenya. My stomach turned over and over with excitement and sheer fear at the sight of what we had to climb the following morning.
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I was not as fit as I had intended to be and knew I had to find another strength and stamina to get me up to the top at Point Lenana. At Sirimon Gate, we were met by a matching porter per person from the Naro Moru Mountain Lodge group. We watched our heavy sleeping gear disappear into their packs and we began to follow the pathway upwards to our first night at Old Moses Hut. This first day was like a special gift of acclimatisation in the most beautiful scenery and vegetation. There were 11 of us; 8 men and 3 women. The porters steamed on ahead of us but then waited for us, resting on the rucksacks. When we arrived we were so surprised to find the hut was full of the world’s trekkers; the sounds and sights of full international integration as we spat toothpaste foam into the sink and used the much-needed toilet; a flushing one! We were much amused hearing the sounds of international snoring and zipping up into downy sleeping bags; the temperature was well below zero.
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We awoke early and began to climb. By lunchtime, Hugh was very sick and Mick’s heart monitor was alarmingly erratic. They had to make a very tough decision and go down. Some of us cried.
Onward and upward. Would anybody have ever believed that the swaying footsteps of Tony(one of the fittest) belied a whoozy headache and general lack of stability. The acute mountain sickness was at his feet and head, rising and falling. Thank goodness for Len and Johnny who kept him warm, comforted and revived him as he slipped into unconsciousness at about 14000 feet. Us girls soldiered on to Shipton’s and were amazed and relieved when the men teetered into sight. After soup and lemon tea, Tony began to recover and was put to bed. Sleep deserted me the whole night. Black rats ran riot over our beds and the toilet flush was again a regular chorus.
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Would anybody have ever believed that the swaying footsteps of Tony (one of the fittest) belied a whoozy headache and general lack of stabilityI just listened and listened for Tony’s breathing pattern. At 2 am some other trekkers accompanied Alex, our designated team member up to Point Lenana while the rest of us waited for the dawn to be able to work our way down slowly and safely. We just didn’t make it this time to the icy ledge at the very top. However, we had made a significant trek to almost the top of the mountain. I was elated to get that far! Some of us, including me, are determined now to return and finish it off like Alex did.
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We have raised about £22000 so far; watch this space for updates. Every penny will go to dynamic active projects. We have negotiated rock-bottom actual prices for things to happen to make significant changes in people’s lives; malaria nets at £1.00 each, seedlings, pumps and aids to nurture growing projects; cleaning equipment for ex-drug addicts to clean up streets and help clean up their lives; library resources; sports equipment; livestock where it will help communities; health care resources; blankets for abandoned babies and screens for children with infectious diseases in hospitals; projects to inspire and sponsor young people to gain skills in teaching about AIDS and Drugs Awareness……the list goes on!
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Alex was able to catch up with us; he is an amazingly hardy and experienced trekker; he affirmed that the top was stunning, freezing, misty and totally scary!! He saw the dawn rise and then slithered down the loose scree at a break- neck speed and danger. The trek down was harder than I thought and my toenails are still black from bruising and pressure. We had achieved a great deal on the mountain. We had come together as strangers and left the mountain as lifelong friends and people determined to use our energies to helping Peacemakers raise more for the neglected, poorest people, especially the children of the future. If you would like to join us on our next venture, please let us know. We would like to make regular visits and treks; if you can’t do the mountain bit, don’t worry; trek around a field or favourite walk; or just come out with us and meet the people that you can help. Please ! It’s truly going to change your view.