There is no water on the mountain above the forest so large amounts must be carried, needed lower down to replace the sweat lost by a hot and humid climb through the forest and higher up to counteract the threat of altitude problems. There are several trails on the mountain. We took the oldest and steepest trail which is known as the Guinness Trail since this company originally sponsored the annual race up and down by this route. It ascends the drier eastern slopes of the mountain. The way starts by Upper Farms , also known as Prison Farms as this farm, originally built by the Germans, is now used as an open prison where the prisoners cultivate the surrounding land and keep goats and cattle.
Cultivation slowly merges into forest.
Song abounds but we saw only a few fluttering small birds disappearing into the branches. A couple of runners, practising for the race next month, stopped for a chat with our companions . We were told that they complete this arduous course in under 4 hours. At hut 1 is the last water, an uninviting half stagnant trickle in January, the heart of the dry season and the hottest time of the year. Above the hut we met an English family coming down.