Day 6 - Daga

Yesterday was crazy. We did a 30+ km hike from the coast to the Daga heartland. It is not easy to visit Daga. Literally the hardest thing I have ever done physically. My first Tartu skiing marathon was hard as well, but this felt worse. Just a narrow trail going up the hill most of the time. Later I actually became upset whenever we went downhill for a bit, because I knew what would be following

It is really hard to believe that this trail is the only access to the world for 9000 people! Steep hills, on the way we crossed rivers around 10 times - you just walk through. Sometimes the trail gets so narrow it is hard to see, with waist-high grass on both sides as you can see on one of the photos. Everything has to be carried on backs - construction materials, fuel (if you want to run generators), food items that are not grown locally - everything. We had 8 people in our group, 3 of them young, small women. They all took 15 kg sacks, fixed them on their head and went this 30km in flip-flops!

Well, I am weak, way weaker than they, despite their small bodies. So after the major hills, just around halfway, I was completely exhausted. Most of it was my own stupidity of not appreciating the challenge ahead. The night before I had gone to sleep at 18:00, because the time difference had made me exhausted. So, I missed proper dinner and then in the morning as well, I just grabbed something and went to the trail. After 18 km I could walk normally when it was flat, but even modest hills were insurmountable challenges. I started to motivate myself to go at least 100 steps before sitting again. In most cases, I managed still 200 or 300. When we reached the midway resting area, I just fell flat and slept for 2 hours. Also ate properly, so the last 15 km went much easier, though there were no steep hills left either.

At 19:00 we arrived in our destination, in complete darkness. Took a swim in the river and had dinner. I think everyone was happy. I, that I had made it, and my hosts too. I'm sure they thought more than once, that I would not be able to go till the end.

It was planned to have another hiking day today to reach the coffee growing area, but decided to take an extra rest day today to recover a bit, and maybe it will go easier tomorrow. The next hike is shorter, but hills are steeper, as we go from 500m to 1300m from sea level.

The people are cool! Despite the hard conditions, they are full of joy. What helps a lot is that everyone speaks English, so it is easy to communicate.

Hannes

Follow my trip here:https://www.polarsteps.com/.../16373321-renegades-to-the...