5:AM the alarm rings, turned over to check. Oh my God it’s Saturday. I had set the reminder two week earlier because I promised my buddy Lola to go hiking with her. She happens to be a member of a group called ‘FCT-ADVENTURE SEEKERS’ whose sole aim is to provide adventure activities in the state.
Hey girl, are you sure you really want to do this?
What if you get bitten by bugs, or even sustain bruises and blisters?
What if it doesn’t turn out to be fun as envisaged?These were the questions on my mind. Soon a soothing voice said to me, hey girl, go and have fun, hiking is also a form of sport. At least I will get to enjoy the view of beautiful landscape, nature, aesthetic surroundings and most importantly enjoy the beautiful view of the city of Abuja from top of the mountain. Quickly I began to pack my backpack. In it I have my essentials: A water bottle, sunglasses, sunscreen, hand towel, earphone, power bank and a change of cloth. At 7:00am I was dressed and waiting for my buddy. As soon as she arrived, we headed straight for the takeoff venue. Girl won’t let me rest with talks about her expectations and anxiety over the mountain climbing. We got there in good time as expected and got into individual groups. Tonia don’t join group A, she kept repeating herself. They will make you run when you are supposed to walk.
The head of our group gave us a quick safety talk on the importance and benefit of hiking. He made reference to how it’s a form of cardio which helps to control weight, boost bone density and also lowers the risk of heart disease. I became so excited on hearing these benefits.Step by step we took our path, the amazing shape, beautiful sight, the elevation, cold weather and elegant trees began to give me a feeling of nostalgia and admiration. The beautiful pinch of awe that never gets old, you just can’t get enough. Three hours gone already, my buddy tapped and said Babe as she fondly calls me, let us rest, I am so tired. Just as we sat down, I pulled out my water from the backpack, the glance of it took me back to my days in the university and what of I have been taught about Williams Wordsworth, John Keats, John West the English Priest, Coleridge and P.B Shelly. They were exponents who changed the earlier view of hiking and walking as poverty and vagrancy. They were inspired by nature and saw walking as pleasure. Hmm! Now I know why I get this feeling of solitude and isolation when I come in contact with nature.
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Hey let us join the rest “ Lola snapped at me. I quickly stood up and joined them. The loud noise and dance and music from the other group soon distracted me. I joined them immediately and trust your girl, I danced like my life depends on it. One of the girl turned to ask, girl where do you get your strength from? I smiled and said I am military minded. My days serving as a Youth Corp member with the Nigerian Army are not in vain. The rigorous mourning training and evening games and also the route match finally paid off.
Soon we began to descend from the mountain, I said to myself, it was worth it, if not for anything, but the positive energy and how to whole trip helped me to connect with nature.The challenge and achievement to the climb draws us, but it’s really the beauty that keeps us coming back. Perhaps it’s also the realization that mountains make better humanbeings out of us: fitter, calmer, happier, and always looking forward for tomorrow.
_ Francess a Conte
YOU TOO CAN CLIMB
Tonniasworld 