Locals say that the Sphires have gypsies. It may be suspicion, however, there is a legacy of eventful adventures of Peace Corps volunteers going. One trip someone went into shock while coming down due to a bee attack. Some people get lost on the way up and don't make it. Others have had storms and ran out of water. Our trip to the Sphires was successful (for the majority of the party... 3 out of 5) although nonetheless, eventful for all. After visiting a newly discovered waterfall near Ashleigh's village, we biked along the ridgeline to Fongolimbi, and then to our final destination, Maragou. However, the last 7km we rode by flashlight (talk about terrifying, my phone flashlight is very dim!). Upon arriving we were warmly welcomed by the chief's family, and they prepared food that we brought. In the morning we stopped to fill our waterbottles before the hike. Just over an hour in (after bushwhacking through tall grasses with scatter rocks/boulders and occasional forested breaks), Rob shouts out and grabs his leg while stepping over a log. Looking at the marks we decide it could be a snake bite and call our medical office--amazingly there was cell phone service. We wait an hour trying to figure out what to do since the bite does not appear to be severe, although there is the potential that it was a venomous, and we are in the middle of no where (nearest health post an hour hike away and then 15km road, then if more serious, it'd be another 30km to Kedougou). Rob insists on going down. Andrew accompanies him while the three of us, myself, Ashleigh, and Ian, continue on. On their walk back to Maragou they encounter a chimpanzee that stood up and beat its chest at them from a distance. Rob ends up going to Dakar via plane to receive anti venom and was fine. In just fifteen minutes after parting, we reach the top. It is GORGEOUS. We have troops of baboons on either side of us, with clear views into Senegal and Guinea. We also see an assortment of birds, as well as rock hyrexes. During the night we are kept up by the hooting of owls and howling of hyenas. It was my favorite trip so far in Senegal. Very reminiscent of a climbing trip! (Although minus the climbing).
View from hiking up to Ashleigh's village, Kewboye
Waterfall
Broken derailer on route
En route
SPHIRES
Baboons
Wall I'd like to climb but won't
Sunset
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