February 26 @ 9:00 pm
The process of to getting to the starting point was more difficult than today's short trek through the forest; driving three hours through the worst roads imagined. It was an eye opening experience seeing the markets, villages and farmlands. Witnessing young kids working the fields and riding their homespun all wood bicycles was a view that I am not accustom too. We stopped at a small village to pick up some fruit and vegetables for the trek. As Paul and I were waiting for our guides and porters, everyone, and I mean everyone was staring at us. Not the swift glance then turn away when something different catches your eye look, but the you have a third leg growing out of your forehead look. While never concerned for our safety, it was still unnerving. Traveling to the route today illustrated to me for the first time the prevalent poverty that covers this land.
Today's trek passed through the heart of the rain forest. The only fauna observed was a family of Colubus monkeys and baboons. According to the guide books the Lemosha Route requires an armed ranger to be teamed with the group for the first day. Chances of seeing wildlife on this route is considered greater than any other route. When Paul asked our guides where the ranger was they laughed…we were not sure what that meant.
Day one began at 7,000 feet and concluded at 9,000 feet - about three hours of climbing. Sweated like a stuck pig…this should increase my smell ratio by the end of the week. My waiter, yes, I have a waiter; goes somewhat overboard with his service. Tonight I had a candlelight dinner outside my tent…Now; I can truly understand the hardships of all "Mountain Men" before me.
So far I've eluded any health shortcomings related to AMS, but my cold continues to linger around. Moreover, one of the warnings on the sign at the gate emphasized that if anybody with a cold prior to reaching 3000 meters was expected to turn back. After ten seconds of contemplating the two years of vigorous training and the elevated costs associated with this trip I decided to carry on.
Throughout the day this unvarying buzzing surrounded us. In the evening I queried Charles on what that noise was. "Oh," Charles countered, "those are bees and they are very dangerous, a few people have been killed by them in the forest"…okay, anything else I need to know.
