Trekking Up Mount Cameroon: Feel the
Rush!
If
you’ve been hiking for some time now and you’ve always wanted to reward
yourself with a paradisal trek that is challenging yet achievable, how does an
invitation to take in the imposing view from the summit of Mount Cameroon sound?
This is one of Global Bush’s most popular activities and it is easy to see why;
most of us are so fully immersed in city life that we ignore our need to
connect with Nature, to rise to new challenges and above all, to feel like we
can pursue goals that lie outside the material/professional. The sensation of
making it to the ‘top’ of something so ancient, vast and profound is
unbeatable; it is a reminder that there is very little that is ‘natural’ about
ignoring the importance of Mother Earth to our physical and mental well-being.
Mount
Cameroon is also called Mount Fako, but its most inspiring name is surely ‘The
Chariot of the Gods’. In reality it is one of Africa’s largest volcanoes,
rising to a vertiginous 4,095 metres above the west Cameroon coast. The volcano
is steeped in tradition and mythology: it is believed that a God, Efasa-Moto,
prevents the volcano from erupting, with occasional exceptions (for instance,
in 1992, he chose to let the lava flow in order to unite him with his wife, Liengu la Mwanja, a sea
mermaid). Efasa Moto plays an important role in modern-day legend as well; for
instance, it is said that he refuses to let the same athlete win the famous
Mount Cameroon Race of Hope if the athlete boasts about his victory or claims
to have conquered the mountain. One runner who won the race three times was
Reverend Walter Stifter, a humble man who was famed for handing his prize over
to the first-runner-up. If you’ve never heard of this race before, you may be
surprised to learn that it is revered by runners all over the world; some 2,000
participants sign up every year, in an effort to be the champion worthy of
Efasa-Moto’s approval. One of the race’s most famous runners is Sarah Etanga.
Known as the ‘Queen of the Mountain’, she is a mother of nine children who
decided to give the race a go and ended up winning an amazing nine times!
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
So
what is Mount Cameroon actually like to climb? The day after you arrive from
Europe or the US to Douala, the adventure will being early, with a journey to
Buea and to Upper Farms (1,010m), where you will begin your hike. For around
three to four hours, your body, mind and spirit will be embraced by a verdant
rainforest, peppered with lush trees and leafy cocyam plants, mystified by
romantic tufts of fog. After a three- to four-hour hike, you will arrive at the
first of many Huts (Hut 1 is located at 1,800m), where you will tuck into a
hearty lunch and drink fresh water from a bustling stream. Next up comes a
rather steep five to six-hour walk through the Savannah to the second Hut
(2,750m), where you will camp for the night. The following day, the trek to Hut
3 will take between 4 and 5 hours and after a little rest, you will make it to
the summit, whose majesty you can enjoy for a few minutes, as you snap photos
of the unbeatable views and capture your great achievement on camera. Next up
comes the descent, comprising a pleasant six-hour walk to Mann’s Spring. On
your way there, you will visit one of the most amazing treasures the mountain
has to offer: craters, both old and new, a reminder of Efasa-Moto’s sometimes
fickle temperament. After cooling down in the crystalline waters of Mann’s Spring,
it’s back to the Savannah, where you will marvel at old lava flows and the
welcoming rainforest.
Expect
the Unexpected
MountCameroon is a classic expedition for trekkers, but there are many things you
will find along the way that you may not have read in the guide books or travel
blogs. Some of the most marvelous treasures hidden in the mountain include
medicinal plants (ginseng is said to be found here); gnarled, twisted trees
seemingly taken from a Tim Burton film, a patent indication of the power of the
sun and winds; bright, joyful flowers that bob up from beneath the grey yet
surprisingly fertile lava fields; contrasting colours provided by the blackness
of the lava, set against joyful yellow grasslands.
Mount
Cameroon is a wealth of surprises, perhaps not the least because it has been
known to occasionally snow here in the colder months, so much so that it is
said that for a short time following the snowfall, the summit area offers
some inviting winter sport activities such as skiing. Like intensive summer
sports, checking that your equipment is well-suited to your adventure is
essential, as well as verifying the weather conditions and other factors that
could potentially present a challenge. Knowing your route, the nearest
emergency outposts, and any prevalent problems with the terrain as well as
being respectful of wildlife and their natural habitat is a vital
recommendation. Particularly in winter, when conditions are easily changeable,
make sure to check out the snow forecast before you head there; even if
you don’t get to glide down the powdery snow, surprise weather conditions can
make the ascent to the top even more of a challenge. In this case experienced
guides are recommended unless you are an expert at climbing - however, you
don't need to be an expert to reach the summit as long as you are prepared!
What Else Can I Do in Cameroon?
GlobalBush has an array of activities that will enrich your stay in Cameroon even
further; tune in to your wild side at an adrenalin-filled safari, discover
unique bird species whose dazzling colours and melodic chirping will appeal to
the artist in you; and of course, don't forget to stimulate your mind, learning
all about the rich history of Cameroon at the Sultan's Palace or private Royal
Museum!
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