OUR HIKE IN KROBO HILLS

After the Odwira Festival, we took a hike to the top of one of the Krobo Hills.  An intense, but satisfying hike, the trail goes up very steeply, and it's not long before hikers are treated to expansive views of the African plains.  

Unfortunately, rocky, slippery slopes present a bit of danger.  We had one twisted ankle and one badly sliced finger that needed 4 stitches at the end of the day.  Wish I hadn't left the first aid kit back at the ranch. We made due.

There was another group hiking the hills too, a mixed age church group of about 40 Ghanaians.  There were some notable differences in our groups.  The Americans wanted to "make it on their own."  We generally didn't grab onto the extended hands of our guides when the climb was difficult.  Ghanaians accepted helping hands whenever they were offered and then turned to offer their own hand  to the person behind.  Americans wanted to get to the top.  The Ghanaians had a good time together and they eventually all got to the top together.  The Americans got there (most of us anyway), but we arrived in small groups. Another important difference is that most of the Americans were well equipped with hiking shoes and other gear.   Many of the Ghanaians climbed in flip flops.  Sadly, I have no pictures of the Ghanaian group.

We had a great time.  One of our more athletic members announced at the end, "that was one of the best hikes I've ever taken.  Let's do it again!"  Many heads nodded in agreement.

A few images from the day's climb:

Here it is. We went around and came up the back side.

Photo op

The hike begins!

One of the views along the way

View #2: we were told there are no baboons in these hills,
which disappointed some of us.  But then... they appeared, three of them.
Sorry, no pics, but that's our story and we're sticking to it.

And now, most of our group has reached the top

Impressive view from an impressive perch.

When there's a cross at the top of a climb, it's a rule that you
must pose there for a group pic.  Four of us are missing, because....

A short distance from the summit, a downcast group gathers around
a companion with a twisted ankle.  After some discussion,
 three of us stayed with our injured friend,
while the rest hoofed it to the top.

What to do?  What to do? Cassie (behind the camera) sacrificed her t-shirt
to make an ankle wrap.  Don't worry, she was layered!  With the ankle
well-wrapped, a little help from her friends, and a bit of courage...

Kristi and gang made it down the mountain just fine.