Hell's Gate Gorge

We went to Hell's Gate National Park on Sunday. Our plan was to go on Saturday but it was raining all day. This is a sign of the impending apocalypse because it is not supposed to rain in Kenya unless it is the rainy season, which ended a couple months ago. Anyways, we decided to wait another day because it would not be as fun in the rain and potentially life threatening. Hell's Gate Gorge is known for its deadly flash floods. Not sure how many people die each year, but it's substantial. Spoiler alert- we all survived our trek.

In all the guide books they say that the trip into Hell's Gate Gorge is a bit of a hike and troublesome for the weary traveller. I'm calling bullshit on that right now. Hell's Gate Gorge is part rigorous hike and part terrifying rock climb. I've never been rock climbing... until Sunday. Crash course in a gorge is the best way to learn. We met with another student from Emory last week and she told us a little bit about her experience trekking through the gorge. She said that she did not go all the way to the end because of the crazy acrobatics along the way. I'd like to say that we all survived the entire way. Very proud of myself.

I should have known the level of difficulty within about 2 minutes of starting the trek. Our first obstacle was actually getting down into the gorge. We had to pick our way down a pretty steep cliff and then swing ourselves from a tree branch onto a small (half the width of my foot) outcropping of rock. Then just jump a rushing river and up the other side! Whew, one down. Many, many to go.

I want to express my sincere and overwhelming gratitude to our guide. He was amazing. If you looked through my pictures on Facebook you will see one where I caught him in action. He literally just got a running start at most of the rocks and leapt up on top of them. He was like a mountain goat. Many times he would wedge his foot against yours just in case your foot/shoe gave out and started to slide down the rock face. At one point he swung Katie Sack by her arms to set her down across a stream. It was hilarious. I think I caught the aftermath of that one on camera too.

Also, captured by Leslie, is the look of absolute terror on my face during an especially "fun" obstacle. We had to drop about 5 feet to the ground but missing the water. That is the one Katie was swung over. Did I also mention that it had rained? Plenty of mud and slippery rocks in the gorge, which made the trek that much more fun (aka terrifying).

I'm complaining a ton because it was hard work but worth it. It was a beautiful experience and bonding time for us. I can't say that I would do it again. Not after scraping the skin off my already poorly wounded leg. I got pictures of that too. I would also need to work on my fear of heights. And work out at the gym non-stop to feel even remotely in shape for that journey again. Still have plenty of crazy stories, ask me about them sometime and I will try my best to act them out.

I got some amazing pictures though. Nature at its finest.

Sidenote- some drama here at the apartment. Emily and Whitney went to Nakumatt this evening for some groceries. This is about 7 at night and dark, which also means that the street in front of our apartment complex is busy. They were crossing that street when a motorcycle came out of nowhere and hit Whitney. She fell to the ground and badly scraped up her feet. The motorcyclist also fell off his bike, so that makes us feel a little bit better about the whole thing. He was trying to beat traffic and take the unofficial "middle lane." Poor Whitney, it messed up her feet so much and she was in a lot of pain. She and Emily went to a clinic to make sure that nothing was broken. Hopefully she is just bruised and will be just fine.

Also, Katie Sack has never had ice cream cake and that is a travesty.

Done for now. Until next time!