The weekend after our second workweek was the most challenging of all the weekend trips that I have ventured on. I hiked a volcano! What was really great was that I hike Mt. Bisoke, a volcano that I can actually see from my backyard!
Our hike was planned for Saturday early morning. The day before Petek, my roommate from last month, came from the town of Byumba to join Katie, Megan, and I on our hike. The four of us and Maddy, who was still here form her visit, went out to dinner that Friday and went to bed early to arise at 5:30.
Our hike was planned for Saturday early morning. The day before Petek, my roommate from last month, came from the town of Byumba to join Katie, Megan, and I on our hike. The four of us and Maddy, who was still here form her visit, went out to dinner that Friday and went to bed early to arise at 5:30.
I arranged for a jeep to pick us up at 6 am so that we could reserve our stops for the hike. We traveled for thirty minuets down the road from Musanze Manor to the Volcanoes National Park. Once we were there we signed in and waited outside in a gazebo drinking tea and coffee while we watched a performance from a local tribe raising money and awareness to protect the mountain gorillas.
The main attraction of the park is the mountain gorillas, and many others who were there that morning were planning to see them. We sat and talked with some other visitors while we waited for our guides to give us the starting remarks and guidelines.
The main attraction of the park is the mountain gorillas, and many others who were there that morning were planning to see them. We sat and talked with some other visitors while we waited for our guides to give us the starting remarks and guidelines.
A group of over twenty people, many who were Peace Corps volunteers, were joining us on the hike up Mt. Bisoke. After the introduction we all got in our jeeps that are needed to reach the rough terrain at the foot of the volcano. Mt. Bisoke’s elevation is 3711 meters, which is really high. Our guide told us that the average time to reach the summit was about three hours. I believe we started our hike around 10 am and reached the summit at around 1 o’clock. Our tour guide, Patrick, who has to hike Mt. Bisoke every two weeks, told us that the world record time was set by a group of about 50 US Marines with heavy bag packs. The Marines reached the to pin 59 minuets. They ran the entire way up. Looking back at the difficulty that I was having, I cannot imagine going any fast than we did.
It was a very challenging climb, but I was at the top of the pack for the majority of the hike. The vegetation was very wild and the humidity was at an all time high. There were plants called stinging plants that stay true to their name. If you so much as graze any part of your skin across these plants, it literally stings similar to grease burning you while you cook bacon. Towards the end, mud decided to grace us with its presence. But I enjoyed it! And the view was worth the workout!
Mt. Bisoke is famous for the large Crater Lake that sits inside the summit. Being there shattered any stereotype that I had about volcanoes. I had no idea that they could be this beautiful. Although there was fog covering the area most of the time we spent up there, it was really a sight to see. Our guide was even kind enough to allow a group of us, Megan and myself included, to go down into the crater and touch the volcanic water!
Our trek down was probably my favorite part of the entire hike. There was much more mud, my legs were not on the verge of exploding, and we were flying down the mountain. I was in a group of around 7 who kept up with our guide on the way down. It was like a never-ending slip ‘n slide that was covered in mud! I fell numerous times along with the entire group, and we just laughed it off and kept going. I met a few Peace Corps volunteers in our small group who told me about the various jobs they were doing and we talked about missing America. We reached the bottom an hour before the rest of the hikers. We made it in 50 minuets! We walked out of the park through fields of potato plants and other crops with an amazing view of the volcano we just hiked behind us.
That night we went to an Italian pizza place for dinner and talked about our experience with Maddy, who stayed in town that day. The next morning, I walked Maddy and Petek to the bus station, grabbed a cup of coffee, and saw the Peace Corps volunteers I had hiked with the day before! We said our goodbyes and I met with Katie to go to Church. Our BMET, Jean Claude, was at church as well so we sat with him. He took us out to get omelets afterwards then we went back to Musanze Manor to relax for the rest of the weekend.
I know it sounds cheesy but hiking the volcano reminds me of the journey I am having here in Rwanda. At times is can be challenging, but when I accomplish what I set out to do, I feel great! I am currently on the down hill part of my adventure, and like the hike, its one of the best parts. I am so grateful to be able to be here helping others. It is a humbling experience and I know I will cherish every moment. My time in Rwanda is not over yet, but it sure is flying by.
As always, thanks for reading!
I know it sounds cheesy but hiking the volcano reminds me of the journey I am having here in Rwanda. At times is can be challenging, but when I accomplish what I set out to do, I feel great! I am currently on the down hill part of my adventure, and like the hike, its one of the best parts. I am so grateful to be able to be here helping others. It is a humbling experience and I know I will cherish every moment. My time in Rwanda is not over yet, but it sure is flying by.
As always, thanks for reading!