A couple weeks ago, I went hiking at the Menengai Crater near Nakuru. It is Kenyas largest Caldera is an extinct volcano, and the summit is 2,300 m above sea level. "Menengai" is a Maasai word that means "corpse", the crater cliff is said to be the site of an ancient Maasai battle during the 19th century, and people were thrown off the hill to their death. The crater has been active until 1991, and during the last eruption, it killed many people. It is believed by the locals to be home to many demons and ghosts and is referred to by the kikuyu of central Kenya as Kirima Kia Ngoma, "the mountain of devils". There were many unexplained mysteries associated in the crater, people have been found to be strayed and lost their ways, and some disappeared mysteriously.
The hike was definitely not for the faint of heart...it's no Kilimanjaro, but definitely difficult as we started with 30min of 60 degree angle descend into the crater via very dry, rocky and slippery path...then up a 70 degree angle cliff for 2.5 hours, on undefined path, pretty much climbing with both our hands and feet...there was not really a distinct path up the cliff and every time it rains, the path previously made by the guides just get washed away...maybe it's not the devils that's confusing the people, but the lack of permanent trail going up that's confusing the visitors!!!
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| At the heart of the crater after a very steep descend, legs are shaking at this point |
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| Taking a much needed break at quarter-way up |
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| The side of the crater cliff...yes, it's VERY steep, and I was NOT prepared for it |
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| The view from the top is so worth the climb! |
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| The Rotary Club of Nakuru has erected a signpost at the top, I found it curious that it has "Evanston" as one of the key cities...could this be...Evanston, IL? Go Wildcats! |
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