The Conquering of Mt. Longonot

This past weekend I was forced to take some time off and decided to take that time in Kijabe. Three others had the same goal and we traveled together by way of matatu to one of the greatest places in Kenya. We hiked around the countryside on the day of arrival to prepare us for the next day’s hike up the mountain of all mountains. Kenya has so many natural joys to observe and even if one was given a lifetime to pursue them all, he would not reach his goal.

The day of Longonot dawned and we jumped a taxi to the base. The mere transportation should not be mentioned but will be for a good chuckle. Since we took a taxi and since we were traversing some of the foulest roads in the area (which we learned are in process of being repaired) the car faired rather poorly. Large rocks sitting in the middle of a very dusty road probably rendered the undercarriage of the car into a state of mangled metal. However, apart from the rough road we arrived safely and quickly found that what we thought to be a 500 shilling entrance fee had spiked to 1400 per person. Yet the mountain lay before us and we would not be mocked by a mere hike in price. However, the hike of the mountain was a different story.

As we began the hike up the side of the volcano of Mt. Longonot, we found an ample supply of zebra and antelope to our left. However, we quickly left them behind as the ridge grew in altitude. Taking breaks along the way, we found our energy level was quickly being depleted due to the altitude and strenuous nature of the hike. Yet the arrival at the top proved to be one of the most magnificent sights to behold. Longonot is an extict volcano that still spews forth a bit of sulfur through several steam vents along the rim. Since it is a volcano the crater inside is quite the impressive place. Our goal was to hike around the rim, a journey that would take nearly four hours, and then descend into the inside crater.

In hiking around the rim we encountered many people, nationals and non, all doing battle with the inclines of the mountain. The balances had been weighed and we were found possessing what was required to hike such a demanding trek. Nevertheless, the stunning vistas and views of the Rift Valley were more breathtaking than the thin air and the burning muscles. We saw snakes, birds of all kinds, insects of the strangest variety and even thought we saw a dinosaur (although this was not confirmed and was most likely a gazelle from a distance). However, we wanted to hold onto hope that dinosaurs still lived inside the crater.

The inner walls of the crater were tremendously steep, some being nothing more than sheer rock faces. Although we had been told a trail led from the top into the crater, we quickly learned this was not the case. However, as mankind always has been driven to do the impossible, we decided we would find a way. Some portions of the rim appeared to be at least 600 to 700 feet from the crater floor while some were no taller than 300. It was at this short expanse we decided to descend into the belly of the beast.

We started down the grassy incline that was no less that 60 to 65 degrees in elevation, grabbing on to any thornless plant we could find. As we dropped to the lower levels we were in the direct pathways of swifts flying about our heads as if we were invaded a protected area. Our time was waning quickly and we only made it about three fourths of the way into the crater, never touching the floor of the bowl. However, we know there is an unexplored world down there, possibly with animals mankind has never seen. Next time we shall go to the bottom and next time we will return victorious, David Livingstone you African explorer, here we come.