The Kenyan Climber Issue #05 by Climbing Life Kenya

kenyan climber THE

CLIMBING

LIFE

KENYA

OFFICIAL

NEWSLETTER

ONE WORD AT A TIME

ROCKSTAR VOLUNTEERS SPREAD THE JOY OF CLIMBING CLIMBING GEAR

ISSUE 05 JAN 2022

karibu What a wonderful way to start the year! If we could wrap up 2021 in one word it’d be gratitude. We had a fantastic team of volunteers and partners who propelled us to greater heights throughout 2021. We also achieved the milestones we had set out too, some of which were: Finding a home at The Inkajijik; Starting our training for climbing programs; Successfully kickstarting the student volunteer program and the Pamoja outreach program; and Contributing to Mapo Tapo’s Climbing Travel Guide as well as The Climbing Initiative’s Best Practices Guide. 2022 brings along opportunities for us to grow and we look forward to sharing this journey with you. As always, we remain tied in and chalked up! Pamoja,

Climbinglifekenya

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PHOTOS: Cover: Liz Ndindi on Fischer’s Tower - Hell’s Gate// 2,3: Liz Ndindi on Baboon Cliff - Ololokwe // 6,7 Nyamzy Giati on Baboon Cliff Ololokwe // 8,9: Climbing Life Kenya 2021 Volunteers // 10,11: Isacco Cividini on Nemesis Crag - Lukenya // 12,13: Participants in Climbing Life Kenya’s Panda Sessions // 14,15: Caroline Ndindi at Baboon Cliff - Lukenya // 16: Isacco and Caroline at Baboon Cliff - Lukenya // 18: Participants at Climbing Life Kenya panda session at the Inkajijik // 20,21: Silvanous Imbugui belaying on Arthur’s Horror - Lukenya // 22: Silas Mugo at Baboon Cliff – Lukenya // 23: Participants in various Climbing Life Kenya activities // 24,25: Assorted climbing gear // 26,27: Participants in various Climbing Life Kenya activities // 28: Physiotherapy session by ActionPhysio // All photo credits: Climbing Life Kenya; Others - Danny Skilton, Lastmile Treks, ActionPhysio, Full Circle Everest Expedition, The Dihedral, The Climbing Initiative

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panda / Swahili / climb, ascend or mount. Also means to plant or sow.

climbinglifekenya.org/panda

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” NELSON MANDELA

“DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE WORDS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF MY MOUTH?” Although his character turned out to be literate in English, Jackie Chan’s blank stare when Chris Tucker asks him this classic question in the 1998 film Rush Hour is something we can all resonate with if someone was trying to teach us something new in a language we did not understand. Making sense of a language you do not comprehend can be a daunting task.

terminology in Swahili, Kenya's national language, with the hope of making it more accessible to a larger number of local Kenyans. In our experience, giving the local

communities that rock climbing is for everyone and that they too can enjoy it.

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near crags and in our PAMOJA progr

most of who are not conversant with E

The glossary of Swahili rock climbing

climbers in Kenya. It provides an inters

In early 2021, Climbing Life Kenya started to compile a glossary of rock climbing

instruction in Swahili helps demystify the sport and shows

This has been evident particularly when

and will play a significant role in build language.

Find the Swahili Rock Climbing Glos glossary

Baba mama na vijana ndugu zangu waadhama Lugha kitu cha maana kila nchi ni hashima Watu wanapokutana bila lugha watakwama Kiswahili kitukuzwe kwani lugha ya Taifa

Wallah, 1975

n sharing rock climbing with communities living

ram where we climb with vulnerable children,

nglish.

g terms provides a growing resource for local

ection where climbing and culture can interact

ding the Kenyan rock climbing culture through

sary of Terms at climbinglifekenya.org/swahili-

culture ONE WORD AT A TIME

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Albert . Caroline . Danny . Edwin . Halima . Inossi . Isacco . Lavina . Liz . Milka . Nyamzy . Silvanous . Susan . Victor .

THANK YOU FOR GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND TO MAKE OUR MISSION A REALITY

2021 OUR

TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS

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We caught up with two of our rockstar volunteers to find out more about their volunteering experience. Meet Isacco Cividini and Caroline Ndindi!

meet isacco

Tell us about your rock climbing experience before coming to Kenya

I started climbing in 2019 when I was living in Lebanon, thanks to some colleagues and friends who introduced me to the sport. Funnily enough, I hardly ever climbed in Italy, except in gyms a couple of times. Despite the COVID outbreak, I managed to gather some good experiences that were helpful when I started climbing in Kenya. When did you first hear about Climbing Life Kenya?

I think it was about a year ago. I stumbled upon a post on Instagram, if I remember correctly, when I was looking for climbing partners.

I am project manager for an international NGO, working on activities on Somalia. I come from Northern Italy, Bergamo precisely, but I have been on the move for a few years now. I have a brother and a sister, both married, and I am uncle to three nieces aged between 15 and 12.

What attracted you to this cause?

I first participated in one of the entry sessions in Lukenya because I needed to get back in shape. That time I learnt about the background and the mission of Climbing Life Kenya and I found it amazing! I particularly loved the idea of working with children, because I wish I were exposed earlier to the sport, and I really support the idea of allowing children to get into this sport early. I was also really inspired by Liz and Nyamzy's dedication to their objective.

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What was most surprising to you about your rock

of the group. We share a passion for both the sport and the

climbing experience in Kenya?

mission behind the group, so continuing is the most natural

I was surprised by how little the potential, both on human

thing to do.

and infrastructure level, is exploited. I really wish it were easier for everybody in Kenya to get into the sport, from

Why should others choose to support Climbing Life

having proper indoor structures to accessing gear, and also

Kenya?

have more outdoor areas developed.

I think that Climbing Life Kenya is a unique organisation in the Kenyan environment, and in general among sport

In what ways do you feel your volunteer work has had

organisations. I think that climbing enthusiasts should

an impact on Climbing Life Kenya's achievement of its

support all the efforts made to develop this sport in

goals?

countries like Kenya, where climbing has been present for

I think the largest impact of my volunteering has been

many years but inaccessible for a lot of people,

providing some kind of enthusiastic and continued support

infrastructure is not developed and a lot of natural places

to the activities. I feel I helped the group at least a little bit

are not explored, mapped and developed enough.

in increasing the outreach, especially for the beginners'

Climbing Life Kenya is trying to localize the sport and make

sessions.

Kenyans more aware of the opportunities, of the beauty of

"I loved the idea of working with children, because I wish I were exposed earlier to the sport, and I really support the idea of allowing children to get early into this sport."

this sport, which in turn makes people more connected to the land, to the place where they live. I think there is a huge need for this, not only in Kenya, and supporting Climbing Life Kenya in these efforts is fundamental. What would you say to someone considering getting started in rock climbing in Kenya?

Come try it with us! We're cute, we're fun, we're good, so it's a full package! What one thing do you think other people should know about Climbing Life Kenya?

Is there any particular moment or memory that stands

That behind all of this there are some amazing people with

out for you?

an incredible passion, and that is really contagious and

I think it was the last climb before Christmas 2020; I had a

inspiring.

lot of fun bringing a kind of festive vibe to Nemesis because I was not able to climb anything! I also loved the trip to Hell's Gate trying out trad climbing. Is there an achievement or contribution that you are most proud of?

I am mostly proud of all the work the group has done so far, and I am just really happy to be part of the journey so far. Are there any aspects of your life that have changed since you began volunteering with Climbing Life Kenya?

I definitely gained more confidence thanks to Climbing Life Kenya. I developed new skills as a climber, and most importantly, I realised that I also love to share these skills with other people. I also learnt that I can motivate people and share with them the happiness and joy of this sport, especially with people that have more climbing potential than me! Why do you continue to climb, volunteer with and support Climbing Life Kenya?

Because it has become an inseparable part of my life in Kenya, with personal bonds that go beyond the activities

"I also learnt that I can motivate people and share with them the happiness and joy of this sport..." 11 the kenyan climber

Panda Climbing is fun

For young climbers Age 3-17

climbinglifekenya.org/panda

meet caroline I am a daughter, sister, wife, mother, auntie and friend and each of these titles represent something special to me. I am a third-born in a family of four siblings. Married with 3 children. I am a corporate lawyer.

Tell us about your rock climbing experience before climbing with Climbing Life Kenya

Before climbing with Climbing Life Kenya, all my rock climbing experience was indoors in a gym. I thought of it as a luxury item (because it was quite expensive climbing at the gym), so I would do it as a one-off treat for my kids or team activity with friends. When did you first hear about Climbing Life Kenya?

I cannot quite recall when I first heard of Climbing Life Kenya but I remember what was said of it. Liz of Climbing Life Kenya is my very close friend who also happens to be my sister. She would tell me about her experiences climbing and how this was stirring in her a passion to open more spaces for Kenyans to have access to affordable rock climbing facilities and experiences. What attracted you to this cause?

I was introduced to rock climbing by Liz long before she founded Climbing Life Kenya. It was shortly after she discovered and fell in love with the sport. I was shocked by the many structural barriers that exclude certain groups of people – most especially locals – from accessing rock climbing, making it an elitist sport that is only enjoyed by people visiting Kenya – tourists, 14 the kenyan climber

expatriates etc. and people of above average

and overflowing. I thank Climbing Life Kenya

Why do you continue to climb, volunteer

means.

for that experience.

with and support Climbing Life Kenya?

Climbing Life Kenya is about opening up

Is there an achievement or contribution

Because I believe in the cause and it is so fulfilling to work with an organization that

space and creating opportunities to everyone that you are most proud of? so that we can get to enjoy this beautiful It is hard to pick out one contribution or

truly lives its values everyday.

sport. It is about bringing everyone together.

achievement. I have been blessed to

Why should others choose to support

Community. Family. Inclusivity. Diversity.

participate in every Beginner Session both at

Climbing Life Kenya?

Leveling the playground. Professionalism. All

Lukenya and at the Inkajijik since the

In my experience, I find that Climbing Life

these are values resonate deeply with me.

program started in October 2020. I think that Kenya is not just about rock climbing. It is

But I have to say that what attracted me to

being there, intentionally, is what matters

about more than that. The greatest

the most to me.

contribution that Climbing Life Kenya is

the cause the most is the vision of

making in Kenya and in the world is through

connecting Kenyan kids to rock climbing

Are there any aspects of your life that

its advocacy on equity, inclusion, embracing

and most especially those children who

have changed since you began

diversity and equality and feminist principles.

would ordinarily not have the opportunity to

volunteering climbing with Climbing Life

Every little support we give elevates this voice.

ever experience the sport. That to me is

Kenya?

Climbing Life Kenya is about future

A lot has changed! Firstly, the first two

generations and the stage we set for these

Saturdays of every month are blocked out for

future generations of boys and girls, women

Climbing Life Kenya’s beginners sessions. My

and men – doing our bit today so that all

friends and family now know this and will

Kenyans will have more opportunities

beautiful and noble. What was most surprising to you about your rock climbing experience in Kenya?

Surprising…about my rock climbing

not take it personally if I cannot make it to experience in Kenya? I’d have to say that I did an event – alternatively, we plan around it. not realise at first that we had such splendid

available to them.

outdoor climbing places in Kenya and such a

considering getting started in rock

rich history!

climbing in Kenya?

In what ways do you feel your volunteer work has had an impact on Climbing Life Kenya's achievement of its goals?

This is a hard question to answer. I do not think that the bit I have done should be viewed in isolation. I think that every volunteer, every supporter, every employee, every friend of Climbing Life Kenya is making a contribution and that our joint contributions are having a big impact. When

What would you say to someone

Absolutely. Do it now! Kesho haifikangi! Come

Climbing Life Kenya is about… doing our bit today so that all Kenyans will have more opportunities available to them.

leo! (Tomorrow never comes! Come today!) If you are a beginner - For a wholesome most gratifying experience, you must do it with Climbing Life Kenya; their dedication to ethics and safety is unparalleled by anyone else I know in Kenya. You will get to climb and also learn the basics of rock climbing including safety – thank me later.

we continue doing this, and inviting our friends to do the same, Climbing Life Kenya will soar, meet its goals and set more ambitious goals and soar higher – and so

Secondly, I have introduced the sport to

goes the cycle.

practically all my friends through my social media platforms – this is new as I was

Is there any particular moment or

previously not present on social media. Good

memory that stands out for you?

thing is that some have taken an interest

Particularly because I love working with

and attended some beginner sessions.

children, I would have to go with the most

Thirdly, rock climbing has now become my

recent International Children’s Day when

go-to activity for birthdays and other get-

Climbing Life Kenya hosted children from

togethers.

Msamalia Mwema Children's Home at The Inkajijik. Seeing the impact that the 4 hours

Volunteering also gives me an opportunity to

of rock climbing had on these kids at that

climb – at least twice a month and I can say

level was just awesome.

that I meet at least one new person every month; and when this happens on the rock,

It is beyond what words can describe. It was

chances are that I am meeting the person as

profound! My heart was full to the brim and

their most authentic self.

"I did not realise we had such splendid outdoor climbing places in Kenya." CONTINUE

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If you have done rock climbing before and would like a refresher course or to advance in your rock climbing journey, Climbing Life Kenya will work with you to take your rock climbing to the next level! Everything is tailormade for you according to the areas you want to advance. If you are new to Kenya and want to get into the rock climbing scene in Kenya – Climbing Life Kenya is the home you are looking for!

"If you decide to try just one new thing this year, this month, this day, let that thing be rock climbing." What one thing do you think other people should know about Climbing Life Kenya?

Only one thing? Climbing Life Kenya is, a movement, a community, a home whose doors are open to everyone – EVERYONE. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Sure. As we say it at Climbing Life Kenya, climbing is for everyone – that includes you. If you decide to try just one new thing this year, this month, this day, let that thing be rock climbing. Thank you, Climbing Life Kenya!

FUN FACT Caroline and Isacco both started as participants in Climbing Life Kenya's Entry Session for Beginners. They have since volunteered in numerous events and activities.

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0721994868 lastmiletreks.com

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how do you

eel when you go rock climbing?

From adventure, recharging of self to an acceptance of limitations, there are many reasons that draw climbers to scale vertical heights on rocks and mountains. With it comes the awareness of movement, self, adventure, freedom, and quiet determination; all engulfed in the peace and tranquility that comes when you are in nature. Imagine taking a little bit of what you feel during your ascents and and sharing it with someone, a child, who might never get to experience that rock or mountain and enabling them experience those same emotions. That is what Pamoja by Climbing Life Kenya is. We introduce rock climbing as a recreational activity to nonprofits and institutions working with vulnerable kids and young people. Together with our partners, we share with them the gift of nature and movement through rock climbing; enabling them to experience all that we love about climbing and the outdoors Want to make an impact? Donate now and partner with us to spread the joy of climbing! climbinglifekenya.org/donate

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student? interested in rock climbing? can't afford to?

PAA JUU

student volunteer program *

visit climbinglifekenya.org for more details *T+Cs Apply

I enjoyed the clarity of instruction and immediacy in practical application. My takeaway? The need for climbing partners to conduct safety checks, trust and communication with your climb partner and of course the realization that one climbs with one’s feet. Amazing experience and hope to learn a lot more. SILAS M. PARTICIPANT, CLIMBING LIFE KENYA

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climb-with-us

When you climb with us you help support our youth, community and outreach programs as you build

CLIMBINGLIFEKENYA.ORG/PROGRAMS

climbing skills and techniques necessary for your personal recreation!

TUPATANE KWA MAWE OUTDOOR CLIMBING ENTRY SESSIONS FOR BEGINNERS: Equips you with the basics needed to get started in rock climbing. Ideal for those who have never rock climbed before or have very little rock climbing experience. FUNDAMENTALS OF CLIMBING: Focuses on the fundamental knowledge, skills and techniques necessary to start lead climbing. Ideal for climbers looking to take their climbing to the next level by concentrating on the skills required to lead sport or trad.

TUPANDE PAMOJA TRAINING FOR CLIMBING Focuses on improving performance by developing technique and movement skills. Ideal for those with basic experience in rock climbing and are ready to refine their knowledge and advance their skills.

PANDA KIDS/ YOUTH PROGRAM

KIONJO TASTER SESSIONS

Young climbers are motivated to learn essential rock climbing skills and techniques through fun, enjoyment

This perfect introduction to rock

and challenge in age-appropriate

climbing allows the complete novice

programs within a safe environment.

to have a go at climbing before committing to one of our formal courses.

Open to ages 3-17

PAMOJA OUTREACH ROGRAM Offers climbing opportunities to non-

Inquire with us about rock climbing

profits and institutions working with

excursions and

vulnerable kids and youth.

group activities

An excellent way to introduce climbing as a recreational activity and also share the physical and cognitive benefits

info@climbinglifekenya.org 0758 823 838

embodied in the climbing activities. 23 the kenyan climber

01 THERE IS GEAR YOU SHOULD NOT BUY USED Climbing ropes, helmets and harnesses are critical safety gear which should be purchased new. A used rope, even if it looks brand new, may have taken many falls, or may have been stored improperly or exposed to the elements, dirt, or chemicals. New rope that has “never been used” should also be treated with caution as manufacturers recommend a 10 year max lifespan for rope which lies unused. A visual examination is also not sufficient to ascertain a harness’s internal structural integrity. Similarly, absence of cracks, deep scratches, or dents does not guarantee that a helmet has not sustained a significant fall.

buying used climbing gear? HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Buying used climbing gear from expatriates leaving Kenya is the most common way through which local climbers acquire rock climbing gear in Kenya. In their quest to rack up on gear which is not available for sale in Kenya, most new climbers purchase used gear unaware of the risks involved. Here’s what you need to know before purchasing used climbing gear. 24 the kenyan climber

02 THERE IS USED GEAR YOU CAN BUY, WITH CAUTION Used climbing shoes can be a great find! Be sure to check for wear on the rubber. Carabiners can also be bought second hand. Inspect to confirm that the gates are opening/ closing and moving smoothly and check for thin cracks and wear from belaying.

03 FIND OUT THE HISTORY OF THE GEAR You should not buy used gear whose history you do not know. In reality, however, it is almost impossible to find a climber with detailed records of the use of their gear, so you may have to trust the climber’s word on the use of the gear. Remember, most sellers will downplay the use of their gear and leave out details that may show their gear’s integrity to be compromised. Take each piece of information with a pinch of salt.

05 EXERCISE YOUR BEST JUDGEMENT Climbing is an inherently dangerous activity, and the decision

04 PHYSICALLY INSPECT THE GEAR If you decide to buy used gear, make sure you know how to inspect climbing gear before making a purchase. Check for

to buy used climbing gear falls squarely on you. Exercise your best judgment before making a purchase. You can choose to err on the side of caution and spend a little extra to get new equipment. If you however decide to buy used climbing gear, don't rush; ask lots of questions and physically inspect the gear. Your life depends on it.

deformities, frayed wires, and visual wear and avoid buying gear

_______________

which is visibly damaged or aged.

climbinglifekenya.org/news-and-articles 25 the kenyan climber

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