With prayers from priests, pastors and imams, Mr. Adjei and his family met with the four other teams and exchanged pleasantries.
"May the best team win!" Knocking their glasses against each other, it was time to set off for the summit. Every team chose its own guide, one before and one in the rear. A well able medical team to support them in case of emergencies waited for them at the bottom of the mountain. The other teams did not look as ready as the Agyeis', yet that was not reason enough to underestimate them. They could spring up surprises anytime. Adobea put on her best hiking shoes, ready to scale the heights and bring back the trophy everyone had been coveting. Likewise, Frema changed into the appropriate attire. Mariama waited for them patiently at the foot of the mountain whilst the family got themselves together.
"We'll begin from the West side of the mountain just as we did when we were practicing," she said. "It is safer and less tiring."
There were about fifteen judges and thirty guides to assist all the teams. There was no need for any team to rush. In their own time, they could set off with their ropes and belay at chosen spots. All the judges entreated them to do was to ensure that they returned safely to the bottom of the mount if they encountered any problem on the way and be sure to place their team's flag at the summit upon arrival.
"Are we ready?" asked Mariama. Upon receiving the thumbs up, the Agyei team alerted the main judges that they were ready to proceed. They did so with a prayer for safety. The judge then gave them a quick overview of expectations and dangers and an appropriate strategy for a successful climb.
"Don't get scared when you see the wild animals," he said "Just keep going. This is all about teamwork. We will be judging based on how you communicate as a team as you move up. If only one person reaches the summit, he will have to wait for the others before placing the flag at the designated spot. All must reach the summit before claiming the victory."
The judge then waved the flag and blew his whistle.
"Ascent begins now!" he yelled.
All the participants picked up their backpacks and guide rods, wished each other good luck once again and launched into it. Some even brought their guide dogs with them.
Why didn't I think of that? Said Mr. Adjei to himself.
Team Agyei gawked at each other and said: 'together we stand' and silently trudged uphill. Baafour encouraged everyone to pick a spot at the same time so the climbing would be uniform. Adobea chose a song so they would be belaying according to the beat of the song. Soon, however, their father was out of breath. It was much more difficult for him than he thought in spite of the training and exercises. Perhaps it was old age. To his children, it seemed too early for that. Mr. Agyei was a strong man though and kept fit always, had regular health check-ups and was abreast with time. The real climb seemed different. Perhaps the competition had added another touch to it, with a little more pressure to perform. The fact that this climb was going to bring another twist scared Mr. Adjei a bit, as his blood pressure rose in defiance of an unfamiliar pace. The head of the medical team checked his blood pressure and notified the judges. Surprisingly, every other person in the team stopped and descended with him. That was exactly what the judges required so they gained additional marks for teamwork and empathy. No other team had all its members related by blood. Howbeit, the judges were looking for cohesiveness.
"If Mr. Adjei must continue, we will consider giving him a concession so he can make it in his own time and at his own pace," said the judge to the guides. The news left Mr. Adjei devastated. It was expedient for the head of the family to set a good example and cheer them all on. The others waited for him as he took some water and drugs to regain his composure.
"I'm sorry about this, guys," he said apologetically. "I just have no control over this"
"We understand," said Bentum. Soon, Mr. Agyei's blood pressure reduced considerably and he was back on his feet again.
"I wonder why we didn't think about taking a medical exam," said Mr. Agyei. "It would have been good for us all."
"We thought of it early on but I think it escaped us," replied Baafour. "I guess it's because I just said it in passing." As Mr. Agyei tried to move another inch, a grass cutter came rushing underneath his feet causing him to let out a shriek and lose his balance, leaving him hanging precariously.
"Just stay where you are, Daddy," said Baafour. "Don't panic. I'll be with you soon to help you regain your balance. It's just a matter of adjusting the ropes." Baafour was not the only one who was worried. Their two guides, Mariama and Mr. Edusei were worried too. Both of them and the one who was ahead of him came to his aid to stabilize him and fix his end of the ropes.
"You really did give us a scare," said Adobea. "But it wasn't your fault."
"I wonder why I'm the only one encountering problems," he replied.
"I wouldn't wish anything bad for anyone but everyone will have to face his own challenges," said Mariama. "We hope we will all be able to conquer them when they come our way." The terrifying experiences now caused the family members to lose their rhythm. Some had climbed above others and were losing sight of the others below. It was difficult to see a few heights above any individual just as it was when they were practicing. Each one had to rely on his own abilities and strength and on what he or she had learnt. Adobea soon felt lonely. It was so quiet at the height where she had reached.
"Hellooooooo," she called softly in a trembling voice.
"Go on," said one of the judges who also doubled as a guide. "I'm right beside you. You are not alone. We will never leave you alone. We are with you". Adobea heaved a sigh of relief. That was comforting to hear.
The climb proceeded with every individual choosing good anchor spots as belays with the help of their leaders. Mariama updated them on every height above sea level they had reached because she was more experienced and it gave everyone an idea about how much more meters they had to reach the summit. Suddenly, the Agyei team heard a loud bellow from the East side of the mountain. Everyone stopped in their tracks to listen attentively, hoping for the best.
"Should we check on what's happening over there?" Baafour asked Mariama.
"It would not be prudent to do so since you are not familiar with the terrain and it may take you longer to reach that side of the mountain," she replied." I suppose their guides will be well able to handle whatever situation their team member might have found himself in. Let's just keep our fingers crossed and move on slowly, watching out for them and for ourselves too."
"I don't seem to have any desire to proceed. I wish I knew what just happened," said Baafour. Mariama inquired from the other guides what had caused one of their climbers to bawl.
"One of them had the rope entangled around his neck as a monkey crossed his path," the guide explained.
"Is he okay?" asked Mariama, concerned.
"He's being treated for a neck injury and being lowered back downhill."
"I hope he'll be alright."
"Let's hope for the best," said the guide. When Mariama relayed the information to Baafour and his team, they were so sad about what happened and wished they could do something about the situation.
"He may not be able to continue, but his other team mates will, short of one good member," said Mariama, explaining the situation. As they deliberated on the situation, Adobea pressed her knee against a sharp object and got badly hurt. It seemed the incident had caused everyone to lose focus for a while. As she gave out the loudest yawp, far louder than that of the one whose rope strangled him, everything seemed to come to a halt. More guides came to her aid and perceived that it was a job for the medical team.
"Come on! Not you too!" said Baafour, grimacing. "I feel so sorry for you because you need your knee to climb", ogling empathetically at his sister who was in pain already. This was one such situation he had not factored in when drawing out his master plan. It was going to be a major setback for them. Mariama found a level ground where Adobea could recline and receive treatment. The medical team was on the scene to stop the bleeding, took out a Band-Aid, and carefully nursed her wounds. When they were through, they covered it with a plaster. Smiling at the Band-Aid on her knee, she wrote: 'on to victory'. Mariama thought it best to let Adobea stay at the bottom of the hill to be recuperate.
"No," she said, protesting and shaking her head. "I would like to continue.
"I'm glad it doesn't hurt you that much," said Baafour.
"It does," she replied. "I'm only soldiering on. I must write it so anytime I see it, I will be encouraged." Baafour smiled. His sister was always optimistic even though she would have to stop climbing for a while. That attitude was more than what they needed today.
"Would you like to be given some concession like Daddy?" he asked.
"Who? Me?" she asked, peering around to ascertain whether he could be talking to someone else nearby. "You must be kidding! I want to go the whole length without being given any preferential treatment."
"Getting hurt is one of the requirements for preferential treatment and exemptions," he replied. "It is no fault of yours' that you cannot carry yourself along the way like you thought you could."
"I will make it!" she said, saluting him like a soldier.
"Oh! Adobea!" he replied. "Don't take yourself too seriously." The others laughed. She did truly take herself too seriously sometimes. Bentum assured her that she would be well enough to join them in good time.