HIKING AND LIFE PARALLELS - A CASE OF RURIMERIA SUMMIT

On Saturday, 11th March 2023, I had the pleasure of joining fellow colleagues and hikers, to explore Rurimeria hill, situated in the vast Aberdare ranges.

Rurimeria hill stands majestically at 3,860m above sea level, the third highest hill of the Aberdares, a moderate -advance hiking expedition, considered among the toughest due to the poor condition of the trail at some parts.

The trail equally boasts of scenic views atop the series of four ridges, characterised by heath and moorland on your way to the final peak/summit.

Rurimeria has three false peaks and what I call the ‘true north’, which upon reaching you consider yourself having summited Rurimeria.

Hiking is an endurance activity an opportunity to immerse yourself into the outdoors, one step at a time. My Rurimeria experience was exciting and introspective at the same time. It also served as a comeback from my hiking hiatus.

Equally so, the experience was nothing short of adventurous, with rain and hailstones, characterising my descent. On the trail, I could help but draw some hiking and life parallels, allow me to share three that jumped at me:

Mind over matter: When one is on the hiking trail, everything else technically ceases to exist. The aim is to put one foot in front of the other towards your goal, while ascending the goal is towards the peak, while descending it’s towards the foot of the hill, in my case it was towards the bus??. In life’s case, it was a reminder that when one sets themselves to achieve something ‘above’ or ‘below’ depending on where you are in life, the mind becomes one of the greatest catalysts to achieving it. Hence the need to ensure one’s mental health is in tip-top shape.

Seasons: Rurimeria hiking trail presented us with different phases. With three false peaks to summit, ahead of the actual summit, it was only normal for one to look forward to the next peak and the next… Similarly, the hiking terrain was different. In some instances, we were on steep rocky terrain, at times on dusty hilly terrain and other times, level ground surrounded by greenery. Another reminder, that life will present us with different seasons, and it is what we do in each season that leads us to the next or not. A scene that really caught my attention, was the third false summit. It was uniquely difficult. It also took longer to peak compared to the rest. I kept asking “Hatufiki?” Swahili for, “Aren’t we getting there?” Life parallel, some seasons in life, might take longer than we want them to. The reminder is to keep at it, even when it is tough because the experience gathered will act as a survival guide for the next season in life or a reference guide for someone else going through an equally difficult time, therefore keep at it, it is just a season, and it will be over!

Legacy: Science dictates that ‘What goes up, must come down’. Hiking subscribes to this, if you go up, you must come down. On your way up, what are you doing? Who are you bringing along? I received tremendous and varied support on my way up, from those that we were with and from those on their way down. Now what was interesting is meeting with people on their way down, while I was on the way to the top. Then it dawned on me…while I still have some mileage to cover??, I don’t think it is too early to start thinking about legacy. What is it that I will be remembered for? Did I pave the way for others to flourish? Did I offer guidance and support to those that needed it? What will you be remembered for? For me, this was and is the greatest life parallel, from this hike.

What are some of the lessons, you’ve picked along your ‘hiking’ trail? Please share with me, I would like to hear from you. Until the next one…have a lovely week ahead!