It is not the Mountain that we conquer, but ourselves.
On June 16th 2018 my friends and I hiked Elephant Hills (in Aberdare Range-Kenya) and here is my facebook post done on June 17th 2018 and today I would like to shade some light about the experience.
The post
Start here……Mother Patience always pays.
A few months ago we were heart broken with the lecturers’ and staff strike. This altered our plans especially the hike to Elephant hills which was scheduled on 10th March 2018. I remember we sat at the parking area (with my brother~Philip from another mother) heads down, we felt beaten 10 nil. But after yesterday (16th July 2018), i can’t complain after seeing happy souls there upon climbing down the hill. In the spirit of Aliveness, God bless all who helped in ensuring this was a success.
Everything that happened, others i can’t explain even up to now. I’ve never seen things run smoothly despite the fact that we know where our flaws were, all i can say ni Mungu aliingilia kati (God intervened).
Elephant hills you were tough, you made us tougher……Stop here.
What’s all about Elephant Hills?
This is one of the magnificent hills in Kenya and it is considered one of the toughest hills in Kenya and hikers use it as a ‘prequel’ for Mt. Kenya. I will not be dive deep into this but I’d like to highlight three major things just for you to have a rough idea. The hill technically resembles the head of an elephant, it has a 9KM trail and there is a special section called “Point of Despair.” It is a real point of despair, when one gets to this it is either you give up and go back or buckle up and get to the summit.
Why Elephant Hills?
Everyone that has done hiking knows that it starts in your head. You have to see yourself going up the trail, pushing through the terrain, getting rained on in the bamboo forest, finding a rhythm in the hiking process such that you don’t get burned out early before getting to the summit and finally going back home safely. In my personal view, this is the critical part that needs to be accomplished before even doing the actual hiking. In fact, conquering the mountain in our head is so crucial than the actual hiking. According to a research published in Journal of Human Performance in Extreme Environments about Mental Strategies of Elite High Altitude Climbers, 60% of the climbers agreed that having the right mental strategy will help one ascend and descent any mountain.
Therefore, in order to conquer oneself here are some of the things we (I) did to hike the toughest hill in Kenya;
- Listen and learn to follow instructions
Sometimes I am guilty when I don’t follow simple instructions especially when a doctor has prescribed some drugs for me. What is the point of taking drugs after you’ve healed. Well, that is not the case when it comes to hiking. I remember we were given clear instructions such carry extra clothing incase it rains, wear a nice pair of shoes, be on time, don’t hike alone etc. Most people didn’t carry extra clothing and some lady was almost left behind for coming late. While descending Elephant at around 3000M above sea level, it rained heavily for 2 hrs non stop. Guess who was enjoying the comfort of warmth clothing? So, you want to conquer a mountain, learn to listen my dear ones.
2. Prepare diligently
On this one I was safe, I was a swimmer and I am used to walking so getting ready physically was not a hustle for me. Anyway, 2–3 months prior to the hiking everyone was told to be doing daily practice on walking or jogging just to keep those legs going on. Remember “The point of Despair”? If you’re not physically fit then climbing this part will bring hell right to your doorstep.
Apart from that, don’t dare drink the night before you go hiking the next day. At least plan to do that after you’ve descended. I will not dwell on this too much, right?
3. Survey the environment.
You can do this any day before the actual hiking day, you can search online about that place or you can even ask a friend who has been to the place you intend to hike. Doing all this will help you paint the whole picture in your head and this will help in your mental preparations.
4. Embrace failure
If you are not the one failing, probably someone near is failing. At about 1KM, a friend we were with decided that was it for her. Imagine waiting for the rest to go up and come down after 9 hours. Additionally, some did not go past the bamboo forest and some eventually reached the summit. When we embrace failure, do we conquer ourselves?
5. Celebrate the small wins in whatever we do.
Those who hike are close to nature which brings respect and it helps preserve the natural environment. We hike to explore and enjoy the landscape in which we undertake our activities and this is something to celebrate.
Now, who is ready to hike?
