So, my dad and I have just got into this totally new and cool hobby. It is called geocaching. It is really like treasure hunting but way cooler. You have to have a gps. You can read up on it at www.geocaching.com We went this past weekend and climbed Mt. Soche and hid a cache there. When we go to Zimbabwe in a few weeks we are planning on taking our gps with us and hunt some caches in Zim.
So, the climb was wild. Daddy said it would take about 1 hour to climb. Well, he was way off. It took us 2 1/3 hours to get to the top. We did see monkey's, monkey hunters and what I will call human mountain goats. (don't ask, well maybe ask and I'll tell you)
The 1st hour was good, trail was hard but at least it was a trail. Then we got into this high grass, like 6 ft tall grass, really. We lost the trail somewhere about then. So, now we are stuck in the rain forest like area. We just kept climbing and climbing, hoping that we would find the trail. Then about this point we hit a dead end. Going back would be too dangerous, going forward was seemingly impossible.
Now, here comes the human mountain goats. A group of 4 boys (14 and younger) who could speak a hint of English showed us a way out. Not an easy way out mind you but a way out of the rain forest all the same. At this point we were very, very close to the top. And very, VERY tired.
We climb a bit farther and finally was within about 50 to 100 yrds to the top. We asked the human mountain goats if they knew a better trail down. Their exact response and I quote "Oh yes, good trail, that way" (as they were pointing up). We are thinking it must be on the other side of the mountain. We climbed until you couldn't climb anymore.
Finally, I said "mdika funa ta peta cunyumba" ( I want to go home). So they say "OH, OK, that way" (pointing down) On our way down we hide the geocache, record the coordinates, take a break, think we are dying, then keep on going.
The first 500 to 600 yrds was very steep but a grassy trail. We passed some woman lumberjacks (yeah, they were chopping down trees) when they would get the logs ready then they would throw/roll/send them down the trail. Yep, the same trail we had to go down to get home. We make it through that, amazingly, then a 75 degree angle slick dirt drop off is facing us. The only thing to do is get down on my sit down and go with the flow. We made through that, somehow.
Then it was an easy trail down to the bottom. Only problem was we went up one trail (you remember the one we got lost on) and we went down another. So, we walked a mile through this village. We are tired from defeating Mt. Soche, we walk along and people are calling out "mzungu" (white person, white person)
Undoubtably the best part of the trip is still ahead. Only 1/2 mile to go through this village. A local musician with his own PA system is hosting a whole village welcome party. Now, this is taking place right on the path through the village, the whole village is enjoying the music and dance. I'm thinking they were all a bit drunk by now. We think we are past the mob of 200 people. The singer stops in the middle of the song and says "Mzungu luku ndirandiran" (white person welcome) Probably not the time to enjoy a party so we wave and keep going.
Just as I think I can't walk any more there comes my mother to pick us up. Ahh, with a glass of iced tea and fresh homemade chocolate cookies.
Dirty clothes, backpack, and aching legs and other parts - the trip was over!
