July - September 2021
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In this issue 1. The dark brooding one 17. Kenya’s gravel migration 27. Fifteen peaks 39. The Wilder Interview: Levison Wood 49. A tale of two eagles 59. Wilder Recipes: Maharagwe soup and cornbread 63. Kenya’s climbing culture 73. Unbreathable 85. Portfolio: Trevor Maingi
Contributors James Farr James is an educator and storyteller based in Laikipia, Kenya. As an American who was born and raised in Africa, he has always been most interested in the people at the edges and corners of the world — where strange collisions of culture and history, ecology and spirit lay bare the ground we share as humans, despite our great differences. He also enjoys more normal things, like chossy climbing, chocolate bars, and the occasional hot shower.
Aaron Rolph Aaron is an adventure athlete and photographer based in London. He is passionate about championing the amazing outdoor spaces in the UK, and he encourages people to pursue adventures of their own. Always seeking to push the limits, his high-energy and usually self-sufficient trips often involve cycling, packrafting, skiing or mountaineering — or ideally a combination of them all.
Trevor Maingi Trevor is a Nairobi-based, self-taught photographer and filmmaker, better known under his alias, The_mentalyst. He first took up photography as a hobby in late 2014, experimenting with his smartphone, which later became a defining feature of his brand. Today, his style is a blend of travel, lifestyle and documentary photography.
David Dinsley David is a naturalist, conservationist and wildlife photographer, living on the Isle of Islay, Scotland. Born and raised in the North East of England, he began developing a career in nature conservation and habitat management in 2014. David currently works as warden of The Oa reserve, a 2,100-hectare nature reserve and working farm owned by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds).
Kieran Creevy Kieran is an expedition, performance and private chef, writer, International Mountain Leader and aspirant Arctic wilderness guide with more than 25 years of experience leading and cooking in wild environments. He has worked as the team chef on sponsored climbing expeditions, cooked six-course tasting menus with wine pairings from wilderness basecamps, and led clients on mountain journeys across four continents.
Axel Carion Axel is an explorer, elite ultracyclist and world record holder who has spent years pedalling across extreme landscapes. In 2015, he embarked on a life-changing eight-month bike tour down the length of South America. The trip inspired him to establish BikingMan — a series of ultra long-distance cycling races around the world. He shares his adventures through his writing, talks and films.
Kang-Chun Cheng (KC) KC is a photojournalist with a background in environmental sciences, focusing on community-based natural resource management and traditional ecological knowledge. She uses photography as a tool for storytelling to show that there will always be more that connects, rather than divides us. KC loves rock climbing, reading magical realism and historical fiction, cooking new recipes and talking about cryptocurrency.
The dark brooding one An ascent of Kilimanjaro’s Mawenzi Peak WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS JAMES FARR
Kenya’s gravel migration East Africa’s top cyclists face considerable challenges breaking into elite international circuits. But a new gravel race in Kenya’s Maasai Mara has provided vital racing experience on home soil WORDS JAN FOX PHOTOGRAPHS LIAN VAN LEEUWEN
Fifteen peaks Aaron Rolph and his British Adventure Collective team take on the Welsh 3000ers — summiting 15 peaks above 3,000 feet within 24 hours WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS AARON ROLPH | BRITISH ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE
We’ve lost all altitude gained by descending into the valley, but this time at least there’s a small cafe to refuel our rumbling stomachs. Cleaning the cafe out of pastries, we begin the long climb up the steep nose of Pen yr Ole Wen (3,209 ft), which takes us up into the Carneddau range and our final seven peaks. The hot afternoon sun shows no sign of abating, and dehydration or sunstroke starts to take its toll on Alex, who is now experiencing waves of nausea. Pausing our trek, we’re a little worried because sunstroke can be very serious up here. However, replenished with some fresh water, essential salts and shade, we’re back on the move and taking the final steps to our next summit. Alex is feeling much better in the cool air, and with these mountains to ourselves, we’re back on top of the world. With our newfound second wind, the peaks begin to fly by as the light gets more golden with the hours that pass. We take some time to admire the peaks that we climbed, visible as far as the eye can see. Before long, darkness falls over us, and all that remain are the orange-pink reflections glistening off the sea and the lakes. How lucky we are to have experienced this incredible place through such an epic journey. Thanks Wales — we’ll be back. Stats (car to car): 50.05 km / 13,700 ft ascent / 12h29m moving time. @aaronrolph | @britishadventurecollective Also featured: @adventure_scottie | @jamesnorbury_ | @alexfelstead With support from: @lasportivauk | @expedint
Top left: Weaving through the rugged terrain. Bottom left: Incredible rock formations on Glyder Fach. 38
The Wilder Interview
Levison Wood PHOTOGRAPHS SIMON BUXTON | ALBERTO CARACES
A tale of
two eagles Encounters with elusive birds of prey on Scotland’s Isle of Islay WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS DAVID DINSLEY
Kenya’s climbing culture An exploration of the culture of climbing and outdoor participation in Kenya WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS KANG-CHUN CHENG
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Peter Naituli, one of the youngest and boldest climbers on the Kenyan climbing scene, first ascended Mount Kenya in 2013 as part of a school trip. The experience propelled his mountain climbing obsession. Two years later, aged 15, he started leading expeditions on Mount Kenya, pulling along cooks or camp workers, anyone he could convince to venture into the wilderness with him. ‘It was baptism by fire’, Naituli says. ‘In a way it was good that I was oblivious [to the consequences].’ There were times where suboptimal weather conditions and a lack of gear could have easily led to far steeper learning curves — realisations elucidated in hindsight. ‘When you advance to the third phase of being a climber — the first being fear, then confidence in the strength of your gear — you develop an appreciation in the balance of calculated risk.’ This appreciation is one that ripens with age and experience. Naituli grew up in Nakuru, where there were no climbing gyms and no one around him loved mountains out of passion beyond a deference to guiding jobs. Solo adventures and carving out his own space within the wilderness soon became second nature to him, a trait evident in his present pursuits. Warming his parents to his increasingly ballsy adventures in a culture where education is the priority has been a process. As he tackles mission after mission, from setting a speed record on the North Face of Batian — Mount Kenya’s highest peak — to free soloing barefoot, Naituli already demonstrates clarity on his role in the climbing community at age 22. ‘I want to be the mentor I didn’t have — someone who is solid and passionate. Not everyone has to climb. But I want to be there for those who truly care about the sport.’ The mechanisms for such change are slowly taking root. Upcoming challenges will include passing on the respect critical to sustaining a pleasant outdoor experience for all, from crag hygiene and Leave No Trace policies to ensuring that training is done well and safely.
Left: Peter Naituli lacing up his TCs, getting ready for Jason’s Route at Lukenya. 70
Portfolio: Trevor Maingi Trevor, or ‘The_mentalyst’ as he is more commonly known on social media, is one of Kenya’s most talented travel and lifestyle photographers. He made a name for himself initially as a creative mobile photographer, but has now broadened his skillset, and is also recognised for his aerial and landscape photography. In this second edition of Wilder’s Portfolio series, Trevor gives us the stories and specs behind some of his stunning images WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS TREVOR MAINGI
Golden Hour Lake Chala, Tanzania Heading back to our campsite after a very cold swim in Lake Chala, I came across this amazing sunflower farm, with a clear view of Mount Kilimanjaro. The sun had just set, creating a moment of magic. Fujifilm X100F 1/60, F2.0, ISO 1600
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