Saturday, January 2, 2016

Distance hiked: 5 km / 3 mi

Elevation Gained (Lost): 396 m / 1,299 ft; End: 2,785 m / 9,137 ft

We are hiking the “Alternative” Lemosho Trail, a route the follows Lemosho for the first couple of days but then branches off onto a less frequented, quieter path. After registering at the Ranger’s Station, we were well on our way.

A good first day’s hike. Approximately 5 kilometers to the first camp. The ongoing refrain today and throughout the hike is “pole pole” (pronounced “polay polay”, which Is Swahili for “slowly slowly”). Another often-used term is “hakuna matata”, which if you remember your Lion King, means “no worries”. Saw Black & White Colubus monkeys moving through the trees. Beautiful creatures.

Got to camp where dinner was waiting. The food is very good – surprising what can be done on a remote stove in the middle of nowhere. Fell asleep in the woods with the wind blowing hard through the boughs above. We had our fourth person join us (a Brit from London) this morning direct from the airport. His flight the previous night had been cancelled due to snow in Istambul, so he was significantly delayed. Within hours of landing, he was on the trail – more power to him.