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The beauty and rarity value of this remote place is why I rate this so highly; not the comfort levels. Comfort is challenging in such a wild,wet and rough place.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Just being in the mountains(especially when the sun tried to break through -some trips enjoy a bit more sun than the one I went on), the vegetation( some with magic scent),fauna, the light, the smells.
What did you think of your group leader?
Sometimes he got the wrong end of the stick on what I was saying or doing through language difficulties and perhaps stereotypic expectations of women. He was in his element with a difficult river crossing that needed ropes and also sorted the van's technical problem with experienced aplomb.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be in tough mode to cope with the mud! Don't take too much clobber although it is very difficult to know what you will need if you haven't been there before and staying warm and dry is essential in a hard enviroment .
Is there anything else you would like to add?
OK here is my beef! There is a culture of charging up to the top and down again without looking to either side. Are they crazy? I know you say in your words things to the effect "take your time, look around, it isn't a race" and all that but it can be quite difficult to do that in a relaxed way. I know there are contraints of getting from A to B in sensible time in places where the going is pretty darn hard. Maybe there could be some emphasis on a seeing culture; from some conversations it seems that quite a few travellers aren't quite sure why they are doing it.
The local guides and porters where fantastic in an incredibly difficult enviroment.
Nigel Trevor
MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON
Written
mountains of the mud would proberly be a more accuret name as their is plenty of it. from ankle to knee is the norm .but if a little bit of mud isnt enough to but you off and you want a challenge . with some stunning views this could be the trip for you.it is not for the faint hearted. the trails are wet and muddy so welly boots are essential they are not a opption.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
it has to be making the summit .we had fresh snow so it was even more stunningly beautiful then it usually is we were told .are bonus .a 4am start through frozen bog. then using crampons when we got to dry ground. (a first for me) .a couple of belays latter . and there we are having are photos taken 4843meters on the top of mount BAKER then we had to get down before the weather turned .it was a 15hour day but really worth the effort.
What did you think of your group leader?
Alex Doaga his first time on this trip .great to see groups leader response to seeing thing for the first time just like the rest of us .but that aside his energy and enthusiasum is second to none, and his knowlege of mountian craft excelent I have never been on a trip before where a group leader has give such a comprehencive talk on alltiude and the side effects and what to look out for. he was approachable he tried to give his time to everyone .anybody who seemed to find certain days or sections of the tracks harder going he try to help them keep their spirts up .give them addvice on more effective ways to use your poles, walk on certain type of going. even how to breath more effectively. ( i was just happy i was) He just tried to ensure that eveyone had the best time they could in hard conditions TOP GUY
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The camps are as wet as the trail . so welly boots really are a nessecity. the trail and the camps are new and still being developed and the plan we are told .is to have wooden huts at the campsites . but for now its tents .so if you do this trip you need to be prepared to rough it a little but it is worth it if you do the summit we manged to finish the treck a day early and (R T S ) where able to arrange a days safari for us as an extra . didnt get to see any big cats . but did see lots of other animals.the extra money was well spent so if you get chance go for it
Is there anything else you would like to add?
the guides and porters are excellent .they really work hard. and a big thanks to all of them they make this trip possiable great staff make for great holidays
Kirsten Hopkins
MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON
Written
Fabulous people and mountains, wonderful guide. Too much mud in the rainy season - I have never climbed to 4000m in wellies before! Tents too basic to allow you to dry out overnight. I think this would be absolutely brilliant when not quite as wet, and preferably when the accommodation has been upgraded.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The last morning - ie the only day the clouds cleared and we saw the mountains in their beauty.
Kristina's amazing cooking at 4000m.
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent - fun and supportive as well as being experienced enough to be safe in very difficult conditions. Only two clients did the return trip to the summit - even so it took them 15 hours as they were in crampons most of the time, and had to stop to rope up 6 times. Realistically, if more people had wished to go, progress would have been too slow. But the leader pushed the small group on appropriately and safely, with consequent success.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go in May.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I love Uganda and am glad I did this despite the fact we obviously hit bad weather. I think other times its not quite as severe. However, its always muddy - take very comfortable wellies and insoles (for warmth), and make the effort to get fit first as some days are long and strenuous because of the trail conditions. Book a treat afterwards - eg Queen Elizabeth Park or see the gorillas in Bwindi. Its a fabulous country.
Amazing trip, great to be somewhere really off the beaten track. Tough trekking but very rewarding. Beautiful unspoilt landscapes. Love of bogs, mud and a good pair of wellies essential.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching the summit of Mt Baker, which was covered in more snow than had been seen there in at least the last 5 years, making it even more challenging and rewarding to make it. We started with a wake up call at 3am, followed by 2.5hrs (in wellies) through the vertical snow-covered bog, then up onto the mountain and on with the boots and crampons. Several rope sections including the interesting crack near the summit. The 5 mins from there to the top was more like 30 mins but well worth it, some amazing views on the way up. The descent was also quite tough as the weather closed in and all the rock was still covered in snow and ice, but we made it safely back to camp after a 15hr day, exhausted but very happy.
What did you think of your group leader?
Alex was excellent, he looked after the whole group very well, keeping track of everyone and keeping them going on some very long days when some people were struggling with the trail conditions. On the mountain he led us very well, made sure we were safe, gave us lots of support and encouragement and kept a close eye on the local guides who had rather less mountaineering experience. He got on very well with all the group and the local staff, who looked up to him and really respected him. Great leader.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Get some decent wellies, it helps to wear insoles with them, makes them warmer and more supportive. Ski socks are the best to wear with them if you are walking in shorts, otherwise they can rub around the top after a few days. Many of the trails are steep and slippery, walking poles are very necessary. Don't expect to wash much, bring plenty of wet wipes. Some camps are very muddy, there is a plan to build permanent huts which will make a huge difference, but I suspect this is still some time off. The summit day is well worth it if you can make it. The safari day that we fitted in at the end was a real treat, nice to be out of the mud!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Challenging but an amazing trip, and a wonderful country. The local guides and porters have a very tough job and work amazingly hard in not the easiest of conditions, very impressive.
Neil Daniel
MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON
Written
I had for some forty plus years wanted to visit the Mountains of the Moon but always found it out of my reach either financially or timewise. When I saw the trip in the Exodus catalogue and the very reasonable price for such remote area trip, I had to go for it.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
For me the highlight of the trip was the ascent of Mount Baker. After all, this was the reason I had come on this trip. The mountain was not too technical but had enough scrambling to keep my interest up with just one difficult move near the summit. Unfortunately as we summitted, the mist rolled in and we only had tantalizing glimpses of the other major peaks that surrounded us. As we descended however, we did get some great views of these peaks.
What did you think of your group leader?
Josephat the Chief Guide was a very able mountaineer and his knowledge of the flora and fauna was second to none. Throughout the trip he always set a steady pace, helping people when needed over obstacles and keeping the group together and imparting his knowledge of the area as he went.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The Mountains of the Moon are muddy! I new this before I went but was still ill prepared for how muddy. The porters all walked in Wellington boots but these can easily get stuck in the mud, I would suggest that a pair of calf high lace up rubber boots with a waterproof gusset would be ideal and keep your feet dry. Another alternative would be Army surplus jungle boots and although these do not keep your feet dry they would allow you to keep your walking boots dry for the mountain ascent and therefore dry warm feet. Lots of small polythene bags or shopping bags are also handy as you can then put dry socks on, put a polythene bag over them and put your wet boots back on to wade through the mud at the various camp sites.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The porters on this trip worked as advertised and I had no complaints on that front. The trekking company however has a lot to learn. We were the first big group for them and they really did not understand the ethos of trekking and what should and should not be done. The staff seemed lost at times just to get the very basics of things done. It took hours sometimes just to get a cup of tea on arrival at a camp site. On saying that, the food was generally very good it was just that the camp staff lacked direction. In fact if Nik from Exodus had not been on the trip and chivvied the staff up all the time it might well have been a bit of a disaster. I do however appreciate that all the guys are on a very steep learning curve culturally and I and others tried to be helpful with advice on what was expected so I hope some of it sticks.
from 5 reviews.
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