Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Write for the ACTION and/or ADVENTURE Genre (11/13/14)
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TITLE: Two Tickets to the Pearl of Africa (Rwenzori Adventure) | Previous Challenge Entry
By Dee Kyalo
11/16/14 -
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Shortly, our guide signed us in. We began hiking at about 11am, and were immediately greeted with stunning views. We passed through the magnificent territory covered in forest in every direction. Overall, it was a good trail and we made it to the hut for a restful night just before the downpour.
The next morning, we followed the trail from Nyabitaba hut that lead us to Kurt Shaffer’s bridge to cross Bujuku and Mubuku rivers.
“Be very careful because parts after these rivers are steep and slippery,” cautioned Sam, one of our guides.
The hike was supposed to take approximately six hours, but the trail conditions would make it last longer. The ominous looking storm clouds started to roll over the hills. It was going to rain again. As predicted, the trek proved physically difficult. We were moving over many boulders without a very good trail and they were all wet and slick. Then Liza noticed a little kitten stuck between the rocks and proceeded to help it. What a beautiful creature, we both thought, stroking its soft coat.
Nothing could have prepared us for what happened next. It was like something falling from the sky. Neither of us had seen the rare Rwenzori Leopard. She was camouflaged by the almost black rocks and cliffs. Without warning, the animal came charging at us. We both tried to run but lost our balance and fell. Then the feline was on top of Liza.
“Help! Help!” I yelled, desperately struggling to get up.
Our fellow hikers came rushing. The slippery ground seemed to favor no one but the leopard. She had pinned Liza down, threatening to mangle her to death. In contrast, Liza was determined to prevent the beast from shutting its jaws and snapping at her. With bare hands held it apart, kicking and screaming. Then it dawned on me that the kitten was indeed a newborn cub!
Other hikers pelted the animal with sticks and stones hoping that she would get scared and flee. She was relentless. Sam came at her with a club, hitting her on the side. She suddenly leapt off Liza, landed onto him and sank her claws into his neck. Chris, the other guide, was frantically radioing for help while Shem dragged me through the bog away from immediate danger. Two other backpackers acted fast and carried Liza toward the opposite direction.
Nick drew his Swiss knife and proceeded to jab the beast in the eyes. It wasn’t easy. Obviously provoked, she turned away rapidly and flung her paws at the next unlucky person. Seizing Terrence around his left leg, she sank her fangs into him and clawed away. Nick was risking his life but kept trying to ward her off. Then as unexpectedly as she had pounced on us, she let go of Terrence and stared at Nick. He stood still and stared back. By now some hikers had taken to their heels. Others remained frozen in place either because of injuries or fear. Then the feline swiftly leapt over him. She grabbed her cub and dashed off into the mountains. She had simply been trying to survive.
The whole ordeal didn’t last long but it felt like many hours later when help finally arrived. We were rushed to Kagando Mission Hospital.
Liza’s hands and face needed stitches but the doctor assured her that the injuries were not as severe as they would have otherwise been. Terrence’s calf had been torn off making surgery a necessity. Sam had multiple lacerations and I suffered a sprained ankle. We were just glad that everyone was treatable and would make it back home alive. It could have been worse.
Despite their beauty, mountains hide deadly dangers. We planned to trek to Margherita Peak - the highest point of the Rwenzori range but that didn’t work out. Nevertheless, our two tickets to the Pearl of Africa weren’t wasted. Where else could we have come face to face with a Rwenzori Leopard?
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Note:
The Rwenzori Leopard has been heavily poached in the past and there are few left however, on a rare occasion on a misty or overcast day, you may be lucky to catch a fleeting glimpse as they move between the rocks. This species of leopard is very dark in fact nearly black.
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It was certainly on topic and felt as if it were unfolding in real time.
I felt bad for the humans of course it goes without saying, I'm glad everyone was okay because it could have been much worse.
But, I must confess...I felt really bad for the leopards too, especially the one being poked in the eyes with a knife.
Great story...it was riveting and well written!
Excellent job here.
God bless~
I loved the lush descriptions of the mountains and the weather and the big cat.