So last week I found myself along with 4 others climbing Mt Elgon!
The trip had been organised and I was invited to tag along! Seeing as I haven't done very much exploring in Uganda its self I decided that this was a good opportunity. Never mind about my students!! :-) I left them with some tones to copy and an assignment - which of course i now have to mark :-(
Before setting off I had to raid through my draws and wardrobe desperately looking for some warm clothes! I went to the market and bought a thick jacket too for a fiver. Here it has been 33degrees C but who knows what we'll find up the mountain!
We eagerly set of up the mountain - it's 4321m high - not too bad I thought - do-able! After the first hour we were already huffing and puffing! So unfit, I thought! Day 1 we climbed for 4 hours (5 1/2km) through fields to reach the national park then climbed the 'wall of death' and then entered a lovely forest. We ascended 1130m, set up camp at the Sasa River Camp and froze that night! It was a relief when morning came!
Day 2 we ascended a further 5km but just a further 600m to Mude Cave Camp. It was a gentler walk than the day before - but we were dreading the cold night to come! The forest gave way to 'mountain shrub land'. That night frost settled on the ground and we all shivered our way through the night - wearing at least 5 layers and lying in a sleeping bag! My wardrobe is definitely not kitted out for mountain cold!
We woke early for Day 3, the longest day, and in a way the toughest. Dealing with altitude and a steep climb and descent again! We puffed our way up to our first destination Jackson's Pool - a rewarding and beautiful sight at 4050m. There was ice on the edges of the pool.
From there we struggled another 6km up and along the ridge of the caldera to the highest peak Wagagai at 4321m! We reached 5 hours after setting off from camp.
After a relaxing 1/2hr enjoying the view at the peak, cloud started gathering and with time against us we made our descent to Mude Cave Camp. Of course coming down is always much quicker than going up, but it kills the toes!! Ouch! We had a late lunch and then were advised to continue our descent to the first camp. That day we walked 9 hours in all and 23km! I was hobbling in my boots and had 3 blisters! I wondered why I was doing this. Memories of mountain trips at school came flooding back! We all slept well that night!
Day 4 allowed us to make our way down to where we had started from in a leisurely fashion allowing us to see Colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and may birds...
After a warm wash, and putting on open shoes, being back in the warmth I can reflect on the hike with a smile!!
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