23rd Blantyre TPW, 24th June 2007
Headlines this year include: young walkers complete ¾ of the 3 peaks,
young walkers climbs all 3 peaks, breakaway group jogs from Ndirande, and Leo
offers panga to members at the end.
This was my eighth
time leading this walk, and the fastest for many of the so called walkers. Forty five people took part in the walk,
twenty two did the whole walk including all peaks. Others joined in where they wanted and
left where they wanted.
The walk started at a
fast pace as usual and whilst I looked back on many occasions and thought that
everyone was in sight of each other it is apparent that some walkers got lost
from the turning to Chilamoni. I am
not sure whether this is the reason why four or five stragglers don’t
make it, but I would like to be the back marker next year and see if it makes a
difference. I spray painted the
route up Michiru this year and told everyone. Even so many took the long and
‘wrong’ way up. I
passed many on the way down from the summit coming up the ‘down
trail’. Next year the use of
‘hash lime’ might be better.
The group this year
was even faster then last year’s ‘World Cup chasers’, and
when we set off to Maria’s place we were all together. As usual it was a delight to walk
through the local villages – seeing Malawi life – the sprawling and
busy markets, the friendliness of the people (especially the guy who took us on
several short cuts to get to the main road). Maria Johnstone was as hospitable as
ever and the chance to change socks and use a proper toilet was taken by many. Martin was now the support and he made
it just as we arrived. Great timing,
Martin.
At this point several
older and younger walkers joined us; Joyce and Johanna, who at 9-10 years old
did a fantastic job making it all the way from here; Valeria, Raf and Suzanna
who were out for Ndirande summit; and Rob Maclennnan who was climbing the three
summits from various places, Michiru from Chilamoni, Ndirande from the gully,
and Soche from the school – all in all a great achievement for young 7
year old Rob.
The walk to Ndirande
is HARD – we don‘t get lost now BUT the heat is on in no uncertain
terms, and walk up the gully pushes even the fittest. Maggie’s walk down from the summit
to Kamuzu view is now becoming the standard route down and we made lunch bang
on time.
Here we had the
rebellion – several stopping (Bill Le Roux’s knee was causing
problems for example) and several wanting to move on after half an hour –
these were the JOGGERS and walkers from this point on. Janie, Maggie, Bryan, Jimmy, and a few
others left and made it back to BSC around 4.30 p.m. It would not surprise me if next year
that this happens again – and we end up with three groups – the
joggers from Ndirande, the main group and the stragglers with me.
From Ndirande the
walk was straightforward to Soche and up to the summit. However the route down remains a problem
and even with Mr.’ Soche’ Martin Horrocks leading we still got lost
at the start.
From Chimwankunda Dam
a few of us jogged back – I was forced to try and keep up with Debbie
(who as a first timer was fab.) and Yvonne, as I thought they needed a male nearby
( I got as close as 10 m and that was as close as I could get). In retrospect it was a good idea as when
we were celebrating success in the car park in comes Leo with a panga in his
hand and cut fingers. He had had a
very close call having been attacked by two men with pangas and viciously
attacked. It is fair to say from
Leo’s story that these men were intent on serious injury and if it were
not for Leo’s survival instincts the situation could have been a lot
worse. Food for thought next year
as we return in the dark.
All in all a great 3
peaks, very enjoyable. Well done to
everyone who took part especially those who made it the whole way. I always make certificates and must try
better next year to get them out to people as they finish.
Thanks once more to
the back-up team of Martin and Phil for all the help and encouragement. We really appreciated it. See you next year for more fun.
©
WDYFO, 2010