First Hike

Went on my first hike today and it was a lot of fun. A bad cocktail of lack of exercise and high altitude caused early exhaustion and I was sweating profusely by the time we were half way up. Almost at the top of the mountain (the one behind the college) the rock path went vertical and vertigo kicked in. So I stayed back, waiting on a rock, while the others went to the top. We were about 5,800ft up. As I was sitting and waiting, lo and behold, Sunshine appears below, slowly making his way up. He came up and we sat on the rocks, enjoying the view. After a few minutes we saw people walking down in the distance. Sunshine, thinking it was the others, yells “moni!” They stop, turn, and walk towards us, at which point we realized it was students from the college. They were climatology students that were conducting some studies at the top of the mountain. Nice guys: Gift, a Tumbuka; Alex, a Chewa; and the third I can’t remember. We chatted for a bit and they showed us an easier way to the top, without verticals, and a faster way down. The new route was much easier and much more scenic. On the way we ran into another student, Felix, who guided us to the top. The view was beautiful, no photo could ever capture the panorama of rolling hills, valleys, mountains, with little villages blooming in the midst. It gave me a whole new perspective of the world. It was almost evening, the light was perfect. We could see Mozambique on both sides. On the way down we found some caves and great rocks to camp under. Hopefully, we get a chance to camp before training ends. It’s been almost a week now with no internet, phones, tv, or computers, and it’s been really nice. Like a weight lifted off my shoulders, we’ll see how long it lasts.