The Gorilla Trek
Trip Start
Jun 26, 2011
1
6
11
Trip End
Jun 26, 2011
Rwanda, Rwanda
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
AND I can give a step by step on my progress up that mountain
We set off about 4.30 in the morning, with my guide, it was dark and misty, I could pnly just see the mountai in the distance, it didnt take long to get there though
I had put on my boots, I could feel my achilles tendons tighten as I got out of the van, I had a liter of water, a few protien bars in my bag, my cameras, and spare cards, a couple of cold pack bandages, we set off, very soon the sweat was pouring out of me, my trousers were soaking, my hat was dripping, I dont know if it was the mist, the humidty or just me
We had climbed about a 1000 meters and as I stood on a rock, I slipped, I felt a tear in my calf, it bought tears to my eyes, I didnt want to take off my boot, I might not get it back on, it was swelling as I looked at it, I broke out a bandage and strapped it up, had a slurp of water, we had about another 2000 meters to go, we had to be there before sunrise
The cold pack helped but I still limped, it really hurt, but I could either turn back or go on, I went on, I used a breanch to help, we went forward 3 steps, slipped back 2, the mud was greasey and slippewry, the plants whacked you in the face, the mist formed droplets that just soacked into you with each step
We heard the bellow of a gorilla, letting the world know he was awake, we pushed on
We got to a clearing, we stopped, got out the camera and just waited and sweated, the mist was rising, but oh, so slowly, the sun was just showing its head above the mountain, there was a rustling in the bush, a head appeared, and looked straight at me, I was gobsmacked, I forgot my camera, it was a baby gorilla, its mother was close behind, I had now got my camera ready, I just snapped everything, I forgot my calf, this was great, I was 7-8 feet from gorillas, they could see me, they showed no interest (well the little one did show interest, but with Mum close by, he werent coming over
More came into view, just grabbing leaves and munching away, the kids soon started climbing and swinging on branches, they seemed like they were trying to imporess me with their climbing and swinging skills
There was a lot of crashing in the bush, it was the man of the group, he was a big silverback, getting on in years, but he was massive and treated me with such a look then promptly ignored me, he didnt look a happy chap, he was such a grumpy looking gorilla, I have never been ignored with such intensity, he knew I was there, but just refused to look at me, but the kids were still trying to impress me and would perform when the camera was on them, I switched to video
I have never known time to pass so fast, we had been there an hour, they were getting ready to move on, our time was coming to an end, we couldnt follow them, the old boy woyuld have got very annoyed with us, but he really showed his disdain for me with my last video clip I recorded
Watch it, I think you will see EXACTLY what I mean
I put my camera away, had a protein bar, a swlurp of water and stood up, ready to make my way down the mountain, my calf had seiezed up now, it had swollen up, the bandage wasa really tight, all I could do was soak up the pain and walk, one painful step at a time, we eventually got to the bottonm, I was knackered, BUT I had some great photos and video
I took off my boot, I had one really fat leg, it was unbelivablely big and it throbbed, I fell into the van, put my leg on the seat in front of me, I stank of forest, I was soaking, sweaty, dirty, but oh so chuffed with my photos and video, I went through them on the way back, I was surprised hpow many were out of fous, but surprised how many were perfect and the videos were fantastic (what them, make up your own mind)
It had been a great couple of hours, and it had gone, oh, so fast
We got back to the camp, I hobbled into the showers and just ran cold water over my calf, the relief took my breath away, I peeled off the bandage and binned it, it was filthy and just not worth keeping, my calf shrank back to a decent size, but was still sore when I walked on it, oh, well, back to the ibufron again
Would I do that again, of course I would
Comments
awesome pics mate and yes well hey the male was saying go away lol