This is the Story of how we hiked climbed to the top of Le Chameau, not once, but twice. Two days in a row. Which is a total Why and WTF Moment, isn't it?

When you enjoy something you tend to want to have it again, right? Perhaps. And then there's some things that you perform repeatedly, because, well, because they're supposed to be good for you. Right? Perhaps.

Exercise is one of those things isn't it? That is supposed to be good for you. And we, on Banyan have become very negligent with that part of our lives, we just simply don't choose to make it a priority in our day. And that, combined with too many Pain au Chocolats, as of late, has all caught up with us and has resulted in much huffing and puffing, when there shouldn't have been much huffing and puffing, if any.

And so when we anchored within sight of S/V Amoray, in Pain au Sucre (Les Saintes, Guadeloupe) and convened for sundowners on the beach, getting caught up on each others' newsy news, we were informed that we were going to have at it with some exercise type of hikes, for fun, and to get us (ahem, cough, cough), somewhat ready for the upcoming hikes in Dominica.

"There's a hill we can climb" says Dalynn, as she points, vaguely, UP there. "It's called Le Chameau", and we looked UP that-a-way, and sure enough, UP there high UP in the sky, was a hump of land, and behind it, a bit higher was another one. Just like a Camel, which is what a Chameau translates to.

Plans were made to meet up at 08:30 the next morning, and sure enough, we were ready and waiting, some of us perhaps not as eager as could be wanted, but ready nevertheless, with our camel-packs of water and "just in case" type of stuff stuffed in the side pockets, just in case.

We walked UP through the Resort, turned hard right, and walked UP along the road, and then UP the hill,

UP as dictionary defined means a "higher place or position". Believe you me, every step we took, every steep step ahead was UP from the one before. UP to a "higher level of intensity, volume or activity", Yup, that too.



At the barely level piece of land just ahead (and UP) from us we nixed the sign/road heading DOWN to La Plage Crowen (Crowen's Beach) and headed left instead.



Into the Woods. Where life immediately became a bit of a heel,



the well trod path disappeared into the ground, the pebbles and rocks quickly turned into boulders and stones to be stepped UPon and over.



By this time, Dave and I were huffing and puffing. We were groaning and moaning, and dripping with sweat. Our meanderings Marching rhythm had thankfully taken us into the shade, under the canopy of leaves and trees, but our heart-rates were sky-high. The birds were busy noisily tweeting and chirping, the goats were scurrying out of our way, and We. Continued On UP. Scrambling. Climbing. Forever UP.

This is where you need to pay attention.



At this rock, with the yellow arrow pointing down? This is where you turn left. And continue on UP. Straight UP. Was there ever a doubt it was UP?

If you look real close you might perhaps see some squashed leaves on the ground? That's the path.

The yellow circles and arrows on the rock are meant to guide you back down the path, but when climbing this path UP, you need to pay close attention to where you're going as they're not that evident on an uphill slant.



See the path??



C'mon, sure you can! Wipe the sweat from your brow and squint a bit!!

Just a little farther,



Time for Water Break?,



and a photo-op.



We clambered through grass,



and then we hit The Wall. A tall obstruction of grey, black, dusty, grimy, pebbly, boulder-y Wall of Rock Formation. Directly in front of us. And our eyes travelled UP, and UP and UP, watching it meld into the skyline.



I have this thing as of late, about heights. I can easily climb anywhere. Not a problem. And it's fun. It's getting myself back down that has me scared to death to make and take that first step. I don't know where it's come from. And I don't know why. But it is there. And I hate the feeling.

And so every now and then, on our UPhill trek, I would glance surreptitiously behind me and saw nothing, so had to lower my gaze and look down, and cringe. And breathe. And when the feeling of panic was almost overwhelming, as in, take for example, heading up over these ginormous boulders of rock formations and of which I knew I was SO NOT coming back down from, I shared my fears with the others. It certainly helps to share fears. Doesn't make you feel quite so alone when facing The Wall.

I took a Deep Breath. And started to, continued to, one step in front (or rather) up from the other. Breathe. Climb. Clamber. Hold on. Don't look Down. Keep on going.

Thank goodness for Glen and his butt-pushing (possibly butt-saving) manoeuvres.



and then we were, quite almost there,



at Oh Lord, Look. Feel. Breathe. Such Relief, at the top,



where I shed another tear or three of panic and relief and allowed my shaking body to settle into the overwhelming panorama of views that were incredulous,



astounding,



and indeed, quite beyond belief, and so well worth every single step of effort.



Scanning the waters below for our (hopefully) still anchored homes.



A little farther on, the remains of La Tour Modèle (The WatchTower), long ago abandoned,







I was still reeling at the thought of going back downhill, and so thanks be to all and any merciful gods, Dalynn presented us with the option of taking the road back down. ROAD???

Taking the road back in the full heat of sun, was admittedly almost worse than the uphill clamber, and we zig-zagged our way down,





(easier on the knees)!

And before we knew it, we were done. Two hours of our day gone. Our legs were shaky. Our muscles feeling the burn. Our calves and ankles feeling a little used. Our clothes drenched and sticking to our bodies.

We were thrilled. Our senses overwhelmed. Giddy from the exercise and damn well pleased and quite exhilarated with ourselves.

That was day before yesterday. Would you believe we CHOSE to do it again this morning? This time we stopped just before the bouldering of The Wall. And this time, I faced the challenge of not taking the easy way out, but turning around and heading back down. Face the Fear, and Do it Anyways, right?

And so, just how do you DO it? How do you climb well over 1000 feet of a hill called Le Chameau, in Les Saintes, Guadeloupe? Whether you're in shape, or not. Whether you're scared of coming back down, or not. Whether you're ready, or not?

One step at a time. You can walk the road UP, and take the rocks down. Or you can do the road up and back down. Either way, here's hoping you do get to do it. Or do something that exhilarates you, perhaps even scares you, just a little. All of it, always, one step at a time !!

** Some of the photos in this Blog have been contributed by Dalynn & Glenn, from S/V Amoray. Thank you.