Surviving the Odweanoma Mountains...a test of fitness
It was exactly 12:14 pm when I heard loud shouts, “Help, help, help.” I had just finished my GH¢20 fufu with palmnut soup and was about to enjoy a chilled cocoa drink.
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Immediately, I left the drink on my table and ran towards that direction. It took me about three minutes to get there only to find a middle-aged man lying down with his eyes and tongue popped out.
The lady who shouted for help stood close to him crying and before I could ask any question, a team of paramedics arrived. Within few minutes, the man regained consciousness and was carried away.
We later found out that the young man, whose name was only given as Duke, had attempted to test his fitness level by climbing up from below the Odweanoma Mountains. Apparently, he wanted to impress the lady, who he just met at the Kwahu paragliding site.
According to the lady, who is an indigene of Kwahu, she warned Duke about the tough trip going down the mountain and back alone, but he had refused to listen.
“I do not know whether he wanted to impress me, but it was unnecessary, since I already liked him from the start,” the lady jokingly said when asked why the man ignored the warnings.
It was at this moment that I decided to also test my fitness level on the Odweanoma Mountains, but not alone. I was advised to take along a bottle of water and at least two other people. Taking along water was easy, but looking for two other people to go with was the problem since Duke’s experience had imprisoned many in a “jail of fear”.
After about 20 minutes of searching, I found only one half-interested person, my colleague and Daily Graphic team member, Emmanuel Asamoah. We finally decided to do what nearly drained the life out of Duke.
Journey begins
Before we commenced the trip down the Odweanoma Mountains, my colleague and I vowed to keep whatever happened to ourselves. We didn’t want to create another scene, considering the fact that Duke had already made news at the paragliding site.
It was exactly 1:12 when we set off. Before we embarked on the trip, there was a small shrine with a lady and a man who demanded we pay GH¢1 to pave the way for the gods to protect us. Even though we didn’t share intheir belief, we avoided any encounters and paid, knowing that we might need their help. She bid us farewell as if we were not going to return.
At this time, fear had already taken over our minds and the thought of ending the trip was high. The next thing I heard was “Dominic, let’s go back, I have lost interest,” Asamoah, my colleague, had given up. We stood for about three minutes thinking about the decision and after a while, we decided to give it a try.
The real test
After about 20 minutes down the Odweanoma Mountains, I began to pant uncontrollably. I looked back only to find out Asamoah was not following me. I quickly took my phone to call him only to realise the network connectivity was bad.
Wondering what had happened, I began shouting Asamoah’s name. After about 10 attempts with no response, I decided to return to the top. It was at that time that I realised I couldn’t climb back. My breath was shaky, my legs had lost their stamina, dizziness had taken over and I felt like the very life in me was being taken away. Compounding my woes was the fact that the entire place was quiet, with insects stinging me as if I had violated their sacred abode. I took off my shirt and poured water on my head and body. It brought some comfort and reduced the attack.
I began to climb back slowly, holding on to anything that could hold me up. Within 10 minutes of climbing back, I spotted Asamoah sitting comfortably on a wooden structure with his head bowed. He looked weak and very miserable. We had no option but to end the journey and get back to the paragliding site.
If I could turn back time two hours, I would think twice about going down the mountain. I have encountered equipment in the gym and conquered many but none sapped my energy and reduced me to a weak fellow like the Odweanoma Mountains. The next time you visit Kwahu, you can test your energy level; perhaps your testimony would be better than mine or worse.
About the mountain
Odweanoma Mountain is the biggest mountain at Kwahu and the most visited tourist site within the town. The place is noted mainly for the annual paragliding festivities.
Located at Atibie, the mountain has an amazing look from the top to the ground. Standing on top of the mountain, one can actually see the panoramic view of the entire Nkawkaw Township.
It is wrapped in trees and on top of it is a hub for social events. Underneath the mountain is an array of beautiful rocks, which has amazing atmosphere for lovers.
Perhaps the real test of Odweanoma Mountain is how to descend from top to the ground and return. It is not a smooth route as a person has to meander his or her way through insects clinging to trees.