Everything In Its Own Time Says Wambui Ngunya As She Prepares To Climb Mt. Everest
Last week we featured WHY Wambui Ngunya wants to climb Mt. Everest?
Read last weeks feature CLICK HERE
We caught up with her again this week for an update on her preparation to fulfil this challenge and this is what she had to say:
This morning (Thursday 19th) I had the pleasure of congratulating (via WhatsApp call) James Kagambi (KG) on his historical achievement of being the first African-Kenyan to summit the highest Mountain in the world, Mt Everest. He is now safely in Kathmandu, Nepal and is expected in Nairobi early Monday morning. Hongera KG!!
That “Hongera” came at a cost. As KG has stated on social and other media this was not his first attempt to go to Nepal. It is an expensive venture and besides his physical & mental effort to get to the top of the world, I would like to congratulate him for his perseverance and resolve to secure financial & other backing.
That perseverance and resolve is something I have had to exercise in my own way in the search for sponsorship for the Nepal expedition. I have been fortunate to have found a few companies and individuals who have been most supportive. It has been an uphill task with many sitting the down-turn in business during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic which is understandable. The sponsorship is not all quite there yet which has delayed departure but I am a strong believer in that some things will fall into place in their own time provided one makes the effort.
Everything in its own time; a narrative the Mountains remind you of every single time. Below is part of a story I wrote regarding this very topic in 2019 (a few details have been changed to preserve the confidentiality of some participants):
Bob S and I were on Mt. Kenya and were blessed with a beautiful summit morning at 09:39 am. It was awesome!! A sight that can only be described adequately by actually seeing it. Photos do not do the Mountains justice.
However, one might ask why go through the fatigue, cold and stress of going up a Mountain in the first place. Let me just state the Mountains (the capital “M” is intentional) is a very good teacher; a metaphor on life itself – and if you heed the lesson, then everything is possible
“Have a mind that is open to everything and attached to nothing”[1]. How does the Mountain teach you this? True story: Bob S and I were briefed on summit eve that we would begin the “Dawn Attack” from Shipton camp to Pt. Lenana (standing at 4985 meters), Mt. Kenya at 03:00 am. The hike to the summit would take between 3-4 hours and we would see the sunrise from the summit. The hike back down to Shipton camp would take about 2 hours and following a rest of about an hour we would hike down to Old Moses camp, a hike of about 5 hours where we would spend the night before exiting the Mt. Kenya National Park.
So, here is how it really went. We took off for Pt. Lenana at about 03:30 am and the hike took longer than expected reason being it had not rained on the Mountain for some time so the scree (gravel like terrain-or alpine dessert) was very loose. One would take two steps forward and slide back a step in some instances which is quite exhausting. We could have given up right there because at dawn, we were only a quarter of the way to the summit. But no; you adjust, have a piece of chocolate for energy, drink some water to re-hydrate and move on….step- by step- by step!!
What was to be a 3-4 hour hike took 6 hours! We summited at 09:39am; but what a summit!! The sky was clear and we could see clearly towards Isiolo, Chogoria, Embu, Naro Moru & Nanyuki. After taking some memorable photos, it was time to head down… hey, what goes up must come down!
Now this trek was to take about 2 hours. Again because of the loose scree, it was a slow descent to avoid sliding and falling. It took 4 hours to get back to Shipton camp at about 2:00 pm. Once again mind-set adjustments were needed because we still had a 5 hour hike to Old Moses camp. Thus, after a light lunch and a short rest, we packed our bags and left Shipton at about 3:50 pm. We walked in daylight until about 6:50 pm and then we had to pull out our head-lamps and continue the rest of the way-not in total darkness-under a beautiful full moon. After dark, the going gets slower so we arrived at Old Moses camp at close to 11:00 pm, 7 hours plus later. That day we walked a total of 26 km at varying altitudes – from Shipton camp (4200M) to Point Lenana (4985M) and back down to Old Moses (3300M).
The main reasons for writing this article in 2019 was to pass a message that I thought would be helpful to readers (climbers & non-climbers alike):
- You can set time-lines/goals/agendas in your life however in order to succeed, you do need to be flexible. Have an open mind to everything and be willing to adjust your course to get to your goal.
- That night walk was beautiful-I have climbed the Mountains a number of times but never under a full moon. Yes, we were tired after a long day but who could have envisioned this? – Take hardships in your stride, they do not last forever… and you never know what you will see on your journey.
- Dr. Wayne Dyer says “Have a candle within you an imaginary candle flame that burns brightly regardless of what goes before you. Let this inner flame represent for you the idea that you’re capable of manifesting miracles in your life” – in short, never let your dreams die! Don’t worry about your ‘crazy’ idea. Remember schemes that sometimes seem outrageous end up being the most wonderful success-think outside the box.
- Appreciate every day this gift you have – yes it is a gift – called life…. and do not waste it!
If you put your mind to it and have the right attitude, everything is possible
Let me take this opportunity to thank ALL who have in one way or another (financial/logistical/training facilities/advice/media) assisted and continue to do so. You are the ones who are bringing a dream to reality…..in its own time.
[1] Dr. Wayne Dyer
Wambui Ngunya
Wambui Ngunya is a lawyer by profession and a conservationist by heart. I have been climbing mountains for over 35 years having first climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in 1985. This year, at age 55, against the backdrop of a world ravaged by a pandemic, war, physical and mental health issues, I choose to show that there is better. My message is simple. There is hope. If I can do it, so can you. As I prepare to climb Mt. Everest, I invite you to be part of my journey. Let’s spread a message of hope. Let’s redefine the meaning of the word FEAR.
We reach out to all stakeholders, corporates and individual well-wishers to assist Wambui Ngunya with financial support as she prepares for this challenge. Get in touch with her on the below contacts for any sponsorship
Contact Details
Phone Number: +254 721 365 342 / +254 768 948 411
Email: Kenya2Everest2022@gmail.com
