{"id":7689,"date":"2020-06-06T09:14:38","date_gmt":"2020-06-06T08:14:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=7689"},"modified":"2020-06-06T13:19:58","modified_gmt":"2020-06-06T12:19:58","slug":"7689","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=7689","title":{"rendered":"A Walk Leader’s Adventures"},"content":{"rendered":"

WALK LEADER\u2019S ADVENTURES <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Returning from a Kenyan safari in 1932, Ernest Hemingway had many trophies including \"\"buffalo hides and rhino horns. Four years later, in \u2018The Snows of Kilimanjaro\u2019, Hemingway described the summit of Kilimanjaro as \u2018wide as all the world, great, high and unbelievably white in the sun\u2019.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With no Living with Cancer or Carers walks to report on, attention turns again to the youthful experiences of this Walk Leader in ascending Mt Kilimanjaro \u2013 a dormant volcano in Tanzania. It is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free standing mountain in the world at 5,895 metres above sea level. For this adventure 12 teachers, two 18 year old past pupils and the Head Teacher\u2019s son made up the group.<\/p>\n

An essential part of any venture outdoors is to ensure you are well prepared. On Kilimanjaro, the trekkers had a hard job collecting the down jackets, thermals, boots and woollen socks that were necessary for the trip, as living and working in Mombasa required little more clothing than shorts, T-shirts and cool cotton clothes to teach in. Most of the party begged or borrowed equipment from visiting relatives who were asked to add socks and bobble hats to their luggage of sandals and sunhats!<\/p>\n

The convoy of three cars rattled and rolled along dirt tracks from Mombasa to the border. Here the guards took a particular interest in the cassettes we were playing and made it clear that the price of crossing the border was to \u2018gift\u2019 a large number of these cassettes to them! We arrived at our hotel just outside the Kilimanjaro National Park and excitedly planned for an early start the next day.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Day 1.<\/strong><\/em><\/span> We met our porters and guides at the Marangu Gate, the entrance to the park. The porters would carry our food, water and cooking gas whilst we would carry day packs with essential items: drinking water, snacks, spare clothes. The hike to our first stop, the Mandara Hut, 2,715m, would be about 5 hours through montane forest. The forest trail followed a stream, and we spent most of the trek in a thick mist under trees.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Porters<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The main advice for high altitude trekking is, \u2018GO SLOWLY\u2019 or \u2018Pole, Pole\u2019 in Swahili. For the fitter, younger members of our group this proved difficult, even though they had been told to walk slowly and enjoy the scenery. Coming from 0 metres in Mombasa, the altitude was always going to be a challenge, so there were constant reminders to slow down: the slower you walk the more time is given for the body to acclimatise.<\/p>\n

The Mandara hut was a welcome sight; the party settled down for the night. Everybody had made it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Mandera Hut<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Day 2.<\/strong><\/em><\/span> We set off to the Horombo hut, at 3,705m. We walked through a short section of forest before emerging into moorland. Here we could see the giant lobelia and giant groundsel. In the distance we could see, tantalizingly, the peak of Kibo.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Moreland Walk<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

At the Horombo hut, the trek, unfortunately, finished for one member of our group. David, a very fit and active sportsman, who had followed all the advice was showing symptoms of altitude sickness. He had a splitting headache, was nauseous and felt exhausted. The guide advised he should descend immediately, as a drop in altitude is one of the most effective treatments. Reluctantly, we said goodbye to David, as he set off down the mountain with a guide.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Horombo Huts<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Day 3.<\/strong><\/span> We set off on the 9km trek to the Kibo hut, 4.730m, all agreeing to go at a snail\u2019s pace. We were now in an alpine desert. We all arrived at the Kibo hut and looked towards the peak. The summit was another 1,190m away and we were going to make the ascent that night. We went to bed around 6pm and were woken at 11pm.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Kibo Hut<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Day 4.<\/strong><\/span> The path to the summit zig-zagged up the mountain on stone scree. All I could see \"\"were small patches of light ahead and behind me as our group\u2019s head torches bobbed in the darkness. All I wanted to do was sleep. I had a headache. I felt sick. I wanted to sleep. I wanted to sit down. Everybody felt the same. We encouraged each other to stumble, shuffle and struggle upwards. The sun rose….we were on the top of the mountain. It felt like we were on top of the world. And unbelievably, in the distance we could see Mt Kenya.Feelings of nausea and exhaustion subsided. Elation, exhilaration and excitement took over. Photos were taken and then the descent. We were to walk to the Horombo hut, a total of 15kms and a day\u2019s total walking of 14 hours. The descent seemed like we were walking on air; the effects of the altitude subside as you descend. The Horombo hut was a very welcome sight and we sank into the bunk beds.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Day 5.<\/strong><\/span> Back the way we came. We were welcomed by a disappointed but healthy David, who joined in with the celebration beers.<\/p>\n

Physical and mental stamina helped us to the summits of Mt Kenya and Mt Kilimanjaro. Cosmeston and Barry Island strolls may not offer the same extreme physical and mental challenges as these mountains, but the companionship, the sense of achievement and pleasure and enjoyment from being outdoors will be the same.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Group<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lynne Frugniet<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

WALK LEADER\u2019S ADVENTURES Returning from a Kenyan safari in 1932, Ernest Hemingway had many trophies including buffalo hides and rhino horns. Four years later, in \u2018The Snows of Kilimanjaro\u2019, Hemingway described the summit of Kilimanjaro as \u2018wide as all the world, great, high and unbelievably white in the sun\u2019.   With no Living with Cancer or Carers walks to report […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[334,125],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/s6cWjO-7689","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":8064,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=8064","url_meta":{"origin":7689,"position":0},"title":"Walk Leader\u2019s Adventures","author":"Alan Williams","date":"14th August 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Walk Leader\u2019s Adventures Boris and Mark urged and encouraged people to \u201cStay Local\u201d in the early days of the lockdown due to the Coronavirus. As the lockdown is eased and people are actively being persuaded to have a staycation, it seems appropriate to leave Mt Kenya, Mt Kilimanjaro and the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General Interest Articles"","block_context":{"text":"General Interest Articles","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=334"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Llanberis.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Llanberis.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Llanberis.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Llanberis.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7544,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=7544","url_meta":{"origin":7689,"position":1},"title":"A School Group Up Mount Kenya","author":"Alan Williams","date":"3rd May 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A School Group Up Mount Kenya As a Valeways walk leader, I have had the privilege and pleasure of leading coastal and countryside walks for the past 2 years. As there are no Living with Cancer Strollers or Carers Walk this month, due to the coronavirus, I thought I would\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Living With Cancer Strollers"","block_context":{"text":"Living With Cancer Strollers","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=307"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mountain-8.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mountain-8.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mountain-8.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8028,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=8028","url_meta":{"origin":7689,"position":2},"title":"How Not To Climb A Mountain In Africa","author":"Alan Williams","date":"14th August 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"How Not To Climb A Mountain In Africa I\u2019ve so enjoyed reading about Lynne\u2019s successful mountaineering exploits in recent editions of \u2018What\u2019s On\u2019 that I\u2019ve decided to (figuratively) put pen to paper to tell you about a spectacular failure. I have to take you, dear reader, back to East Africa\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reader's Travel Tales"","block_context":{"text":"Reader's Travel Tales","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=125"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Mt-Meru-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Mt-Meru-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Mt-Meru-3.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Mt-Meru-3.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7835,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=7835","url_meta":{"origin":7689,"position":3},"title":"Trekking in the Himalayas","author":"Alan Williams","date":"2nd July 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"After my adventures in Kenya, and particularly, on Mt Kenya and Mt Kilimanjaro, it was time to leave Africa. Before leaving I received a phone call from BBC Radio Wales: my dad had rung in to tell them I was embarking on a trip to Everest. The interviewer tried to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General Interest Articles"","block_context":{"text":"General Interest Articles","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=334"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/lateral.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/lateral.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/lateral.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/lateral.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/lateral.jpg?resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12472,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=12472","url_meta":{"origin":7689,"position":4},"title":"Dragon\u2019s Back\u00a0","author":"Alan Williams","date":"2nd November 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0Dragon\u2019s Back\u00a0 In spring, we talked about which walks we would like to do this year and this one was tops for me, but the summer was so hot that we saved it for the autumn. The Dragon\u2019s Back is named after the shape of the hills which rise and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Footsteps"","block_context":{"text":"Footsteps","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=38"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Picture9.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Picture9.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Picture9.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":797,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=797","url_meta":{"origin":7689,"position":5},"title":"Black Mountains","author":"Alan Williams","date":"2nd September 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"We started out from Mynydd Du forest car park, apparently this is the largest forest in the Brecon Beacons National Park. We walked along a stream and crossed it via a bridge. The track led us through trees and gradually we began to climb the valley. The track became narrower\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Footsteps"","block_context":{"text":"Footsteps","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=38"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7689"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7689"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7689\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7714,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7689\/revisions\/7714"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7689"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7689"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7689"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}