With Chongoni, 7 is A Great Number!
As M'theto Lungu writes, anybody can indeed be fit! If they want to...
“Chongoni Hill is in Dedza district, branching off into the Chongoni Mission direction on the left a few metres after Linthipe 1 trading centre. A dusty road, which will need a good 4x4 during the rainy season, takes you straight to the mission passing a few settlements and a primary school.”
The Chongoni Hill Hike Challenge organised by the Hill Climbing Club(HCC) took place on 28th September 2019, and it was great.
We had seven participants, all from Lilongwe, and it was superbly managed.
Chongoni Hill is different and unique, rising about 2000 m above see level, though not so sure about the actual height.
There are three trails, the other two being very touristic, but we chose the third for the highest point.
It's great to report all of us made it to the top, at a great timeline of four hours continuously climbing. There are no slopes or brisk level grounds going up hill.
There is a meandering fresh water stream from which some of us drunk directly. Wild animals are also there, we were told lots of pythons and hyenas are on offer. Antelope, rabbits, warthogs are all part of the natural motives available.
We neither saw or met one.
May I also be quick to point out that at the hike launching mission, Namoni Katengeza Lay Centre, is on offer some accommodation (and probably some camping space). Guest house with three rooms and a lounge at K5,000 each room making K15,000 for the house, and cooks and watchmen to complement on your choice foods. Others are hostel format taking up to 100 people but separate men and women blocks and ablutions.
They are constructing a new one. The water source is the same hill complete with a water collection tank, and all buildings with running water and flashing toilets. Pit latrines can't miss at such a place of tranquility and neutrality from the urban pollution.
After the hike, which provided once in a life time natural scenery, fauning trees and a beautiful array of peaks, plains and valleys, thick green bush in some places, dotted with both local men and women naturally struggling with piles of wood on their heads down the hill, was and still remains an attraction for all.
HCC etched it's visit by signing on the top rocks on the top point. You will be overjoyed to read HCC should you in future brave the Chongoni heights to the top point as we are told we are the few counted Malawians apart from some white tourists that have gone this high and far, and if weather does not erase our mark.
It's important to highlight that as usual the team made a reception stop over at the tranquil Ngalaview Lodge at Nathenje, where buffet lunch (at about 4pm!) ...was served to the hikers and beverages both stingers and sweet ones were enjoyed over some two hours before the team extended their celebration at Mayi Nyirenda's at Bunda in Mitundu where crocodile meat, beef, farm fresh quails and chickens brai spiced up the activity. The K10,000 per person contribution fee catering for lunch, brai, beverages and guide fee was indeed awesomely rewarding.
It is important to thank all that patronised the event despite their busy schedules.
Special recognition to fitness trainer, Penelope 'Coach P' Nyirenda, of X-Trim Fitness gym housed in Capital City Motel, who after a strenuous one hour jogging session at her gym still jumped on local bus and motorbike taxis to join us and finish the hike. Very awesome.
And of course, I personally managed the hike despite a deep burning gout attack in the right foot, supported by my walking stick at a very steady despite slow pace. That got me hoping slowly especially on the way back.
We also managed to rope in a new member, JaneJane Nambe, who despite being her new affair with HCC made herself feel at home and completed our tasks too, with surprisingly much more ease.
Anybody can indeed be fit! If they want to...
To make HCC activities even more enjoyable and embracing, plans are underway to explore hiking hills around Engineers Battalion in Kasungu as a probable next event.
All HCC members are therefore reminded that the participation in HCC formational activities should remain priority on all HCC platforms.
There is need for committed and dedicated membership cadre that will often participate in most of the HCC activities despite the odds.
Everybody joined HCC for a particular reason based on what the club offers. And the club is committed to continue offering the best in a unique way to achieve it's goals - fitness and healthy living lifestyle of it's membership.
We are the HCC that means to tone that muscle!
Unity of purpose in meaningful fitness packs!