REFLECTIONS FROM MY SUMMIT TO POINT LENANA- MT. KENYA.

As we wind up the month of June, I reflect back on one monumental achievement. I finally summited Mt Kenya, Lenana Point on June 8th, 2024.

The journey to Mt Kenya started way back in 2023 when about 40 colleagues @FSD Africa thought it would be a memorable event to celebrate 10 years of Making Finance Work for Africa’s Future. This was also a very personal challenge. I wanted to constantly challenge myself and experience the growth that comes with pushing one out of their 'limits'. I have evolved in my career over 3 decades now and I thought this personal challenge would not only help reminisce on the professional and personal journey but also allow me to enjoy my beautiful country, Kenya.

I love the outdoors and stories of how our natural resources continue to be depleted concern me. The stories about deforestation and possible infrastructure development in places like the Aberdares are worrying. The very fact that the glacier on Mt Kenya is gradually and consistently declining is disturbing. I also felt the yearning to experience the beautiful biodiversity of our mountains and think of how I could make my little contribution to conservation efforts.

In November 2023, thanks to Wandia of Mount Slayers, my colleagues and I began the preparatory hikes over the diverse and beautiful terrains of Kenya. Kenya is a remarkably beautiful country and to get to experience its diversity first hand fuelled me through each challenging hike even when the intensity gradually increased. There is a hiking destination for every hiker, ranging from the Ngong Hills to the challenging ascends and vast moorlands of the Aberdares. I was personally awed by breath taking historical trails of the Kijabe Hills and was most challenged by the Elephant Hills. The Elephant Hills hike was one where I enjoyed the company of many colleagues from FSD Africa but it was the one the ended up being the most treacherous trail because of the rain that pounded hard all through the hike.

Hiking like any sport takes a lot of discipline. To hit the trails at 8 a.m. meant we had to depart Nairobi by 4 a.m. We needed to prepare early enough (read 3 a.m.) and assemble on time for departure each time without fail. We also had two hikes each month that varied in intensity and one had to plan to be offline and away from family two Saturdays each month. Thanks to my family for their great support. The hikes themselves involved a lot of camaraderie; much like a team sport. I often found myself walking the trails with a sub -team with a similar pace. We enjoyed each other’s company for a significant part of the day as we supported each other reach the summit. Our preparation also involved ramping up our fitness levels and the FSD Africa Wellbeing Employee Resource Group championed fitness challenges christened Zoezi just in time to get the team active. It was great to see everyone so committed to the goal.

Our hike to Mt. Kenya (Sirmon – Naromoru) took 4 days. Day one was full of excitement. Our 9 kms hike to Old Moses was filled with animated conversations and the now very real possibility of the conquest ahead. Our hike from Old Moses to Shipton Camp (4,200M ASL) was a moment of personal reflection. I had over 9 hours on the trail, and was able to experience the beauty of God’s work. It was on day two that I experienced the beauty of the trails on Mount Kenya. We walked through the indigenous forests, moorland, sections that had vegetation out of this world, literally. There were waterfalls and rock formations that we just marvelled at. I got to drink from streams flowing from fresh, chilled water from the mountain's glaciers. There is something serene about Mount Kenya, and it become very evident when we arrived at Shipton and came face to face with the peaks of the Mount Kenya. Batian stands mighty, almost daring you. I marvelled at Nelion and was quietly intimidated by the upcoming hike to point Lenana. You see by now we had only a couple of hours to begin that final ascend to what look like an impossible summit.

When we started our final journey to the summit at 2.30 a.m., it was in the eerie and pitch darkness of the Mountain. We lined up as pilgrims, bearing flashlights on our foreheads and each making our silent prayers. There was no turning back for me; though I had suffered some altitude sickness on my way to Shipton Camp and had worried that it could bar me from seeing the summit, I was determined. The team by now was less chatty, each heavily geared up and very aware of the challenge ahead. As we began the summit, the only sound I heard was the slow shuffle of our hiking boots as we waded through stony paths and climbed up rocks. I tried to control my panting and avoided trying to peer at the steep gully just below. I had to remain focused, my eye on the summit so even when my mind attempted to wander away or when my body asked questions like what exactly I was doing I was slapped back to reality by the chilly breeze breeze of the mountain. I had to focus on the task at hand. I had never been so attuned to my maker.

We finally made it to the summit of Africa’s second highest mountain. This was my ultimate goal. The feeling was surreal. The views, the sunrise, the glory of the three peaks of Mount Kenya were a marvel. I felt so accomplished. I was on top of Lenana; 4,985m ASL. Wow! ?

Did I achieve my objective? I think I did, and I am grateful to the diligent team @Mountain Slayers, the remarkable porters; I don’t know how these guys do it and the dedicated team of paramedics. I unfortunately got pneumonia and the descend off the mountain was a big challenge for me. Thanks to the wonderful team of guides and paramedics I got to lower altitude and to medical attention. The summit would not have been possible for me without this great team.

I take with me some important lessons.

Planning and preparation is key. I think this applies not only to the hiking journey or work but life in general. I deliberately participated in the preparation hikes and followed through Wandia’s guidance to get me ready for the hike. Whether it was the simple routines around hydrating, exercise or the more involving work of shopping over time for the right gear. Planning got me mentally prepared for the big summit and that confidence boost is what propelled me to the summit. Planning is at the core of success.

We were always reminded that hiking was not a race; and that the mountain would be going nowhere. We enjoyed all our hikes at an easy pace. This gave us time to connect with nature, enjoy the beautiful panorama but also help us acclimatize as we increased our altitude with each hike. I often get caught up in the rut race; juggling my multiple balls; career, motherhood, family life etc. The preparation hikes and eventual summit instilled in me the discipline to just pause, breathe and experience each moment. There is a lot to celebrate around us, and we are likely to miss it as we compete against many priorities and even ourselves. Pace yourself, celebrate every success; each of life's summit.

I have never taken the phrase; ‘water is life’, more literally than I did during my hikes. Most of the trails we hiked had beautiful streams, rivers and even waterfalls. The rivers of Mutula trail though scattered with rocks were beautiful, the sounds of water streams in Ndakieni were also very calming. The beautiful waterfalls Kieni revealed some amazing flora and fauna. I washed my face in the steaming hot springs in Kijabe, walked through marshy moorlands in the Aberdares and drank from the chilled waters streaming from the glacier of Mount Kenya. It is that continued act of sipping water and strict observance of the water breaks during the hikes that helped me deal with altitude sickness. Water is truly life and when we cut down the thick forests and invade riparian lands that we invite the wrath of mother nature.

Lastly, teamwork makes great work. I am forever grateful to the team of 11 that summited Mount Kenya with me. A special mention to @judithnandako, my colleague from FSD Africa and nephew @DenverSabwami for the many memories we created up the trails. The hiking journey was filled with tears and laughter, we were able to conquer our fears and push our limits. We were there to offer a leaning shoulder to each other, and wipe away that occasional tear when things seemed elephant, literally. What is a team without a great leader. Wandia of Mountain Slayers, thank you for ensuring we all started and successfully summited Mt Kenya. Many have asked if Kili (Kilimanjaro) is next. Well, for now, let me bask in this beauty of this great, personal achievement.

Happiness cannot be travelled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.

Yours Mine and Ours Memory Box – Denis Waitley