Ups & Downs of Hiking in Abuja
Earlier this year a hiker experienced a fatal fall. Does this mean the exercise lacks merit? Daily Trust on Sunday spoke to some enthusiasts.
In Abuja, hiking has become one of the ways residents, especially the young, seek adventure and a means to explore the city. Unfortunately, this year a 20-year-old hiker fell to his death from a rock.
The tragedy
A hiker, Ochu Victor, who is a farmer and dog breeder recounted what happened that fateful day when they lost a member. “The Horn of Kubwa requires extreme care and caution, especially during rainy season because it’s steep and high. This is why we always advise people to use their full hiking gear there,” he said. However, a group of young men climbed the Arab Spring, which was easier to climb, even for a first timer, but then went on to climb the Horn of Kubwa, which was a dangerous place with stricter rules. “They got to the top quite alright, but then one of them was trying to take a selfie, stepped on a slippery surface and slipped off. After a few hours, we lost him.”
According to Victor, the incident led to a rumour that the police may ban hiking, but there is yet to be any official statement to that regard.
Another hiker, who gave his name simply as Sam said “I am not aware of a ban on hiking and I don’t think there should be any such thing. You can ban a location when it becomes a threat to people but not hiking.”
Why they hike
The Abuja hikers have similar reasons for doing what they do. Victor’s reason is his quest for adventure, sightseeing and sports. “It all started when a group of friends living around Arab Road in a location close to rocks formed a group and started exploring those locations,” he said. “We soon became trail blazers and guides for other hiking groups.
Currently we are known as Triple Max Officials.
“The crowd used to be huge every Saturday and Sunday, but it reduced drastically. Once the rains are over the mountains will get dry and people will be back. I mostly hike alone now and we won’t advise people to come out at this time because of the rains,” Victor said.
Victor Bolarin is a mechanical engineering consultant, music producer and businessman. Presently a hiking team leader, he was drawn to hiking because he craved to “see the world from the top.” He also described it as a good form of exercise while enjoying the view, atmosphere and the opportunity to take pictures.
To achieve these, Bolarin has climbed the Arab Road rock in Kubwa, Usman Dam rock, Dutse Rock and Brick City Rock. There, he found the experience overwhelming, especially when he got to the top.
But it was not a walk in the park. Bolarin was scared before his first experience. Once he succeeded in climbing, it disappeared. Currently, like many of his team members, he avoids hiking because the rocks get slippery.
Again, not all hikers start off in groups. Sam needed something outside his regular routine that provided an adventure. He also saw it as a means of exercise and an avenue to socialise and network for his business. Back in Enugu, he was not climbing rocks, but this changed when he came to Abuja.
“The last time I hiked was on a mountain with a group of friends. I met good people, learned a lot of things, saw Abuja with a different view, including its natural resources, and observed how the weather changes,” Sam said, adding that he would have preferred networking for business purposes as a strong focus for hikers.
How safe is it?
“Hiking is safe if you follow safety rules and instructions. For example, I have stopped till after the rainy season,” Bolarin said. He pointed out that for every hiking exercise there is always a leader and members need backpacks, water, shoes with good grip, face caps, and light consumables.
Sometimes a daunting climb could strike fear into some hikers, but Sam said he had never been scared because he knows the risk involved. “I monitor the weather because hiking requires that you pay attention to its pattern. Also, dangers ahead like animals and reptiles. So, putting all these into consideration I don’t think there should be a problem,” he explained. Ultimately, as far as Sam is concerned, it trains one to survive in difficult terrains just like military training hones survival skills.
I am not aware of a ban on hiking and I don’t think there should be any such thing. You can ban a location when it becomes a threat to people but not hiking.