Mount Kenya Trip: Part Two

Day Two

Ok, so where did I leave off? Oh yes, night time on Mount Kenya. Around 5 o clock, we heard quite a bit of ruckus coming from the students' rooms, so Eric was given the job to inform them that it was only 5 am and that we would all be sleeping for another hour and half. That seemed to work ( they're not used to us wazungu being stern with them). When we woke up, the second time, Eric and I were delighted to see frost on the ground! Not because I'm a fan of the frigid conditions required to produce the layer of ice, but because the students would be able to witness such a phenomenon for the first time. They ask us alot of questions about snow ( more on that in a moment), so we were really excited to be able to show them the closest thing we can find to snow in Kenya. The sunrise over the valleys and towns below us was breathtaking, but unfortunately, no picture could accurately capture the moment. After a good breakfast, we bundled up and headed out for the first 8 km of our 25 scheduled for the day. We were able to leave our backpacks at the camp for this leg since we would be returning for lunch and the climb was significantly harder than the previous day. Not that you'd be able to tell by the pace of the students. While they bounded up the mountain, I struggled to put one foot in front of the other. Bruce actually told me that his legs felt stronger!

After a little ways, a good chunk of the students slowed down significantly while Musumba, Edwine, and a few boys took off without us. Eric and I decided to play with the frost and encouraged the students to pick it up and play with it. They were hesitant at first, and they kept exclaiming how cold it was, but after a bit, they were intrigued by the icicles. Eric decided it would be a good idea to show them how to make a "snowball" with chunks of icicles and thus commenced a one sided snowball fight, with Eric scooping up piles of ice and throwing them at students at random. That sure got them running up the mountain! The students also got curious with the layers of ice that were residing on top of the streams and pools of water. Before long, every sheet of ice was picked up by a student and either used as a cooling system by placing it on top of their heads, or by licking it like a popsicle. We also had the opportunity to talk to a group of students about Winter and the US. They are so interested to learn about how people survive in cold temperatures and ask alot of questions about it. They were really curious about snowplows, so Eric and I did our best to explain to them what they were and how they worked. I really enjoy talking about the States, and home, so I welcomed all of the questions. Talking about it makes it easier to be gone, especially around this time of year.
After almost three hours and a hundred stops, we were at the bottom of the ridge that would be our final destination. The high peaks of Mount Kenya in the distance were the only things keeping me going forward. A quick 20 minute uphill climb and we were there! We were greeted by students sitting at the top, with their legs dangling off of the rock that led to the deep valley below us. The view was absolutely amazing! The valley continued forever, then another ridge jutted up, being the only thing seperating the valley and the highest points of the mountain. At 4000 feet, the air is so fresh, so clean, and you really realize how small we are in the grand scheme of things. As soon as we reached our final stop, clouds started rolling over the mountain, hiding the peaks from us. We quickly assembled each student in front of the peaks, so we could have a picture of each of them documenting their accomplishment. After some group photos, we had to start the descend so we could stay on schedule. The way down went quick, although I beg to differ when people say that going down is easier then going up. I must be getting old, because my knees were really upset with me every step I took. We reached the campsite and had a great lunch of soup and sandwiches, and then continued our final 9km trek down to the park entrance. I was more than okay to be bringing up the rear of the group, as the students literally ran down the mountain. I would use the age excuse again to justify my snail pace, but the teachers were putting us to shame as well. Oh well. We had an absolute gorgeous hiking afternoon, sun shining, with a cool breeze keeping us from overheating. I could never get enough of the beautiful trail that took us through the rich forest of the mountain and offered wonderful views of the hills and valleys in the distance.

I couldn't have been more relieved to see the park entrance building in the distance, signaling the end of our 34 kilometer journey. The students were already on the bus, clearly ready to rest for the ride home. We didn't tarry too long and soon we were on our way back to Nairobi.

Of course, we were greeted with atrocious traffic that only Nairobi can garauntee, which put our arrival time ridiculously behind schedule. When the last teacher was dropped, we headed for home, not to go home and relax and hit the sack like we had planned, but instead to rush and get ready because we had friends anxiously waiting to hear about our adventure.

Sitting with them and recounting all of the little moments and stories brought fits of laughter and an incredible sense of accomplishment. When I was here last year, my ultimate goal for my return was to be able to organize a trip to Mount Kenya, and it is only because of the amazing support and donations we recieved form our family and friends that made it possible. I only wish all of you could have been there with us to witness the splendour of it for yourself. It wasn't something that was said outright or overly expressed, but rather it was the subtle, simple things and expressions that assured us what you all helped us do was change these students lives. Together, we all allowed them to open their minds to a whole new world that has always been in their backyard. As with most gift giving, I truly feel like I was blessed the most out of the trip. This is something that I personally will never forget and will always look back on as one of the best things I've ever done. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has supported us, in every way possible. This trip meant the world to me, and I know it is something that the students will cherish forever.

-Laurel