Page 20 - Bugle Autumn 2024

3 RIFLES
Ex HARAKA HIKE
To the Second Highest Point in Africa
After Ex HARAKA SPEAR, 12 members of the 3 RIFLES BG took part in Ex HARAKA HIKE,
a 5-day Mountaineering Expedition that would see a lucky few ascend Mt Kenya, Africa’s second highest mountain up to Point Lenana (4,985m).
We were accompanied by guides and a team of porters who provided accommodation and surprisingly tasty food at the end of each day’s trek. We started by passing through luscious green vegetation and dramatic water features whilst admiring the local wildlife. On day three, we started to encounter the much steeper rugged volcanic terrain and reduced levels
of oxygen, making it extremely challenging to carry out even basic admin, including sleep!
On the final morning of the ascent we roused at 0400, donned all our warm kit and head torches and proceeded very slowly to the peak. As we summited, we were greeted by a breath-taking sunrise and stunning views across the Kenyan landscape. Once off the summit we began the 18km journey north to the foot of the mountain where we boarded the transport and returned to Nyati Barracks in eager anticipation of one or two cold Tuskers! LCpl Sowerby, Mortars Platoon, F Company
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITH RESTART AFRICA
‘There is nowhere else like this, nobody does what we do,’ Mary Coulson briefed an awestruck group of Riflemen, fresh from exercising on the Laikipia plains. This was not the introductory brief we expected arriving at the Kenyan children’s home, Restart Africa, in Gilgil. What proceeded were desperate stories of vulnerable children being rescued from the Kenyan streets by Mary’s team. ‘One family of
four young children, from a baby to a seven-year-old, witnessed the rape and subsequent decapitation of their mother by their father’. Stories to this effect followed and were not easy listening. Restart Africa is a haven where these children, mostly abandoned and victims of severe abuse, live and are looked after by a brilliant team of staff and educated in nearby schools.
Funded entirely by donations, Restart receives no government support. Thus, our Riflemen were set tasks to conduct some maintenance and upkeep of the centre. Under the watchful eye of Cpl Neal, one section
painted their hall (leaving a smart Bugle drawing on the wall), another re-levelled paving slabs for the pathway and a third section built a rack for the bio-briquettes they use in their kitchen.
The trip’s highlight was summiting nearby Mt Longonot with the children. After momentary shyness from both parties, Riflemen and children were laughing, joking, and racing up the dormant volcano together.
Riflemen & children were laughing
All basked in this joy. For the children, they had role models to look up to, and for all Riflemen, broader perspective and deeper understanding. Lots of us join the Army to do ‘stuff that has meaning.’ Those on this visit agreed that our trip to Restart fitted that bill. Lt Smith, Sniper Platoon, C Company
20 RIFLES The Bugle