I did it!
I climbed Mt. Kenya.
So, what do I say?
Let’s talk about the clear, starry, cold nights. The kind of cold that actually bites.
The fresh, unpolluted air.
The sweet, pristine, unadulterated water.
Could we have stumbled upon the promised land of milk and honey? We might have found our Canaan. Shh, that’s our little secret.
Let’s switch to the bitter-sweet feeling of being knackered yet still having the will to keep moving. The seemingly endless path ahead of us taunting and jibing our determination. We’d come too far to even consider turning back, the vast terrain behind us a testament to our resolve.
Shall we get into the real deal? The mountain? It was deceptively inviting, harmless and warm. What with the peaks sneaking over the clouds, luring and drawing us into its arms? The clouds seemed to be playing a hide-and-seek game with the peaks, which intermittently blocked our view of the mountain. It’s almost as if the mountain was trying to fuel our desire and increase its allure by getting out of sight. Leaving our hungry eyes to feast on the rocks, streams, and the vast land ahead of us, only to come back just in time before we started grumbling.
Get Audrey Wamaitha’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
The mountain, in collaboration with all elements of the weather, was surely up to some mischief. Otherwise, how else would one explain the fierce wind which stopped short of blowing us downhill? Or the cold that bit into our bones. Or the sun which fell short of keeping us warm, in spite of it shining brightly. Don’t even mention the steep slopes!
Indisputably, they all carried the day.
For some reason, the rain never got any memo of our arrival. It never could keep up with our pace as we triumphed up the mountain. Who would want to hike in wet clothes anyway!?
In spite of it all, we overcame! We conquered the mountain!
A little something about the top, everything’s undeniably grand at the top!
Welcome to the 4000nders club!
#TrekfortheBongo
#HikerGirl
#LenanaPeak
