32nd Blantyre Three Peaks Walk, Malawi. Saturday, 25th June 2016
Babies do the Three Peaks Walk, 2016
It’s
hard to believe, but true. Several
babies made the 2016 Three Peaks Walk. Okay they were plastic and carried on the
backs of Caroline Harris and other doctors from Queens who were raising funds
for Friends of Sick Children. These
ladies helped make the walk a superb event, and most of them were very fit and
very fast, although not as fast Sarah Blackstock who used a car at times to
speed between a peak (or two?).
As
usual we started the walk bang on 5 a.m. in perfect weather conditions; quite
cool. We made Chilimoni bang on time and
I should have told walkers I would use red spray paint on some parts of the
route. This is the only excuse I have
(apart from walkers not reading the instruction advice sheet) that several
slower walkers took the Way of the Cross route (instructions: DO NOT go by the
Way of the Cross- mmm).
The
main group were doing great and, despite a not well slashed path (Thanks
Fanwell – don’t ask to do it next year!) we were at the top of Michiru right on
time at 6.55 a.m. Shame it was cloudy
although I did try and help ‘To your
left is a great view of Ndirande (not) and to your right is a wonderful vista
of the hills down to the Shire (not), and you can even see Mulanje from here
(not). So…it was not such a good view.
Most
of us fast walked or jogged down to breakfast where the steadfast and superb
Phil Pile had the kettle going. Heaps of
sugary tea, crisps, nuts and biscuits were gobbled down, while we took a roll
call (quite apt since one of the ladies rolled and banged her head leaving a
large lump on her forehead – she does not know I nicknamed it Michiru Summit
2).
At
the time to move on – having waited an extra ten minutes as there were 8 people
unaccounted for – and I hope they are not still on the mountain as I never saw
them again, unless they were part of the group who took the Way of the Cross
route and joined in again at Johnson’s House.
So
apologies if you look at the walking records and find
1.
Your
name horrible misspelt (did I misspell misspelt?)
2.
The
wrong distances for you
For
the first I blame you for your disgustingly horrible handwriting and some of
you for not signing in.
The
walk to Johnson’s House was fast and good fun – the locals were friendly (oh –
I forgot to mention the drunk hooker who tried to grab and kiss me as we were
going through the Chilimoni short cut – I pulled away saying ‘there’s a man at
the back who wants to see you’).
Frank
and Maria, as ever, graciously opened their lovely house to let us trampse over
the carpets and use the toilet. It is
factual that we left ten minutes late because of the toilet queue, and one
unlucky walker had their lunch eaten by a stray dog. Maria even had hot water ready – thanks Maria
and Frank – like Phil you are irreplaceable – long may you three reign.
‘Keep
together everyone – or you will get lost – we must keep close’. Obviously there were some hearing problems
(or tired legs) because after about 100 metres there was a big gap – luckily I
got slightly lost on the pathless, covered maize fields allowing the group to
catch up – but we all kept going until the big trek to the gully at Ndirande. The weather was still lovely and cool and
overcast at this point.
Ndirande
is the killer usually – we have walked up and down and up again to the start of
the steep climb to the gully. This is
where the gap widens and a five minute gap becomes an hour gap. I found myself at the front still
(surprisingly as my right leg had a strained tendon and I was in agony), and,
thanks Fanwell this time, the path was pretty good including a not so slippy
gully climb.
The
cloud cleared a little so everyone could see the demarcation between Ndirande
township and land they cannot build on – like black and white, chalk and
cheese. We also had a good look down to
Majinchiri and the surrounds. We did not
stay long on the summit as we got cold quickly so it was down and stop for
lunch (a quick one) at the Radio Masts.
In
previous years many people used to drop out here but since we had no back up
vehicle there everyone had to keep going.
The steep drop down on the Nkolokoti side was the best I have been on
ever – very clear and therefore a very quick descent.
Through
to Nkolokoto and the vehicle and hot tea were waiting. Everyone was doing great. Many thanks to Manuel and Jacob and others
for delaying their own walking to help people up the gully. Most appreciated.
Now
it was a long walk to Soche. Very disappointing to see the land near Soche
School is all being built on – the path had disappeared between someone’s walls
and we had to just ask locals which was the new way.
Neil
joined us at Soche, and we all headed off for Soche – which apart from being
completely deforested is a wonderful summit view. The joke – how many ‘put your nationality’
does it take to replace a lightbulb? –Answer: Twenty – one to hold the bulb and
the other 19 to turn the person holding the bulb was replaced by How many
walkers can you get on top of Soche’s narrow scrambling summit. Answer: yep about 20+
Since
I am all about survival I was up and down so in no danger of falling off – not
so the little plastic dolls – looks of horror on the faces of doctors as the
‘nasty’ Neil held one upside down on his rock threatening to drop the poor
thing into the bush/ Whilst many selfies
and group photos were being taken – we sneaked on down the ridge back to
Zingwangwa and Blantyre Sports Club. At
least 10 walkers started jogging on the road.
Good on ya says I, as I walked it back trailing behind an incredibly
fast swaying Kate Gooding.
I
did not say good bye to lots of you – your fault – you should have all sought
me out to say thanks to Phil. Without
him we can’t do the walk – so thanks Phil.
From
me – well done to all who did the whole 48 km especially Fabian on his second
attempt, Manuel, and the wonderful people I had the privilege to share the
adventure with. At 60 years old and my 16th year of leading I reckon
I can manage a few more years – so please share your photos on Facebook or
Dropbox. Thanks once again for a great
trip and my apologies to anyone who was left behind.
Gordon
© WDYFO, 2016