Karshi Waterfall Adventure

 Trail-Setting O’Clock, People! 🌄

Karshi Waterfall Adventure  A Journey of Strength, Laughter, and Gratitude

So, we went trail-setting today! It’s supposed to be on Thursdays, right? I thought so too. But the crew decided to change it this week because it’s Karshi Waterfall. It’s quite far, and we figured it would be better to go on Wednesday so we can rest on Thursday and Friday before the big hike on Saturday. Smart move, right?

I was up as early as 4:30 a.m. thanks to Moori, my royal cat, who bit me awake for breakfast. I served him (as royalty deserves), prayed, recited the Qur’an, boiled eggs for breakfast, tended to my plants. Then it was time to set off for what turned out to wonderful adventure.

Let me tell you something about adventure: it resets your mind, body, and soul. It keeps you alive with positive energy, refreshes your lungs after inhaling all the bad city air, and believe it or not it helps keep your cardiovascular system in check too.

We gathered at our muster point Karu Bridge. I was the last to arrive (they were all waiting for me, oops 😅). Sorry, guys! I promise to do better next time, God willing.

There were smiles, laughter, and hugs all around including the famous teddy bear hug from Rukky, who literally lifted me off the ground. It was a full house today! Some who had missed recent trail-setting days showed up, making us 19 in total: our elder Epa, Sir Henry, Sir Emmirine, JEM, Ovo, Bala, Mohammed, Ebuka, Boyante, Faith, Peruzzi, Innovative, Naomi, Vivian, Queen, Ola, Lola, Founder, Rasta, and myself.

We drove about 35 minutes, stopping at a local market to grab essentials. Then we parked in front of the famous Government Secondary School, Karshi known for its discipline, creativity, and skill building.

Once there, everyone got down to wear their hiking shoes. We had a quick masa fest before heading out since we planned a picnic later with egusi soup and eba (and fufu too!). We divided the ingredients among ourselves. Some carried bags, others pretended to “forget” theirs you know the usual suspects 😄.

Some folks stopped for sugarcane before setting off. I was given a bagco with fufu, and garri initially, it was supposed to be the gas cylinder, and I protested o! But fine, I managed.

And then, the trail began. 

The path was alive: lush green plants, maize, bell pepper, tomatoes, okra (lady finger) and guinea corn fields, mini water bodies, and rice plantations. Farmers worked around us, men and women, tending to their crops. It was pure peace.

But… about 30 minutes in, something changed.

I felt nauseous like I wanted to vomit but couldn’t. It started breaking me down slowly. I didn’t tell anyone at first, thinking it would pass. But it didn’t. Not today, Lord! 😂

I slowed my pace. Rukky helped me carry the bag, but soon we were both tired soft girls like us, lol. We stopped under a big tree to rest, and I finally told Peruzzi I couldn’t continue carrying the load. He announced that everyone should hold what they planned to eat. Some grumbled, but they complied.

We rested for five minutes before moving again but my nausea worsened. I had to sit on a cut tree for a bit. Sir OVO told me gently, “Let’s keep moving.” I shared how bad I was feeling, and he encouraged me to take it slow but I should keep moving. My body still felt weak, but OVO kept encouraging me “Keep moving, don’t sit or you’ll completely break down,” he said. And somehow, his words gave me the little push I needed.

We walked for about ten more minutes before reaching a stream. The sight of that cool, flowing water felt like a gift from heaven. I bent down, scooped some into my hands, and poured it over my face and hair and removed my shoe. Funny these guys thought I was enjoying myself they had no idea it was a coping mechanism. The chill ran through me like a soft reset. I felt a bit lighter, stronger ready to keep going.

Then came the mountaintop. Oh, that mountain! Normally, I would climb it with excitement I love the challenge, the view, the air up there. But today, my body wasn’t playing along. Still, I pushed through. At one point, I was literally dragging myself up gently but determinedly. And even though my system was failing  Something in me refused to quit.

As we climbed higher, we asked around “Anyone has Coke? Chewing gum?”

None of us did.

Halfway up, I began shivering. My lips were dry, and my prayers came out in whispers:

“Ya Allah, please don’t let me die on this mountain today!” 😂

Vivian was ahead of me, and Sir JEM asked her to stay close and assist. She kept teasing,

“Beeba, make sure you write this part in your story o!”

And another voice joined in, “Ah, today gratitude Beeba is not gratitude o!”

The Founder laughed, “Na gratitude dey do her!” 

At first I refused the help.

Even in that moment, I managed a faint smile. But truth be told, I was breaking inside. My body was trembling, and at one point I cried. Quietly, as I kept moving.

We finally reached a flat surface and had to stop again. This time, the nausea took over and I started vomiting. I called out to Sir Emmirine, came over, and gently poured water on my head and body. The cold shock of it woke me up somehow. Within minutes, I began to feel lighter.

We resumed the walk slowly, steadily. Each step was a small miracle, and I felt this deep wave of gratitude just for being able to move again.

At one point, I asked Sir JEM to wait for me so I could walk closely behind him. And finally… we reached it.

The Karshi Waterfall. 🌊

The sound of rushing water filled the air, strong and pure. There, at the base, were a few men digging into the flowing river searching for gold.

And I remember thinking maybe that’s what this journey was about all along 

to find the gold hidden within ourselves. 💛

We couldn’t proceed to the base of the waterfall because the path ahead was too rough and slippery. So, we settled under a large, shady as tree our resting spot after the long, unforgettable climb.

Sir OVO, ever the herbalist, brought out his special herb drink one he made himself and shared it with a few of us. It worked wonders. Within minutes, my system began to calm down. Naomi shared her orange juice, sweet and refreshing, and it felt like medicine from nature itself.

Boyante took his spot nearby and slipped quietly into meditation, while Rukky and Otes got busy handling the soup turning our picnic plan into a real feast. Man of Faith, Innovative, and Peruzzi joined in to make things easier for the ladies, a proper team effort!

Otes shared her sugarcane, and Sir OVO brought out yet another of his mystery drinks this time for everyone to taste. The air was full of laughter, chatter, and the smell of food cooking.

Sir JEM brought fried termites for Epa a delicacy for the brave! Meanwhile, Mr Bala and Moh were busy flying the drone, capturing every moment. I can’t wait to see those shots they started filming right from the stream where I first poured water on my face. (remember?)

As all this life and laughter went on around me, I quietly spread my mat and said my Salat Duha the mid-morning prayer of gratitude. In that stillness, surrounded by nature and good company, I felt something gentle settle inside me peace.

Afterwards, I walked to where the young men were digging in the stream.

Curious, I asked, “What gem are you guys digging to find?”

They replied, “Gold.”

“Have you found any today?” I asked again.

“Yes,” one said, smiling. “We sent one of our brother to town to sell it and buy food.”

I was impressed. Mr Ola soon joined us and asked how safe they felt up there in the mountains, knowing that gold could easily attract the wrong crowd. They laughed softly and said, “We are safe. We have been sleeping here for two weeks now.”

Soon, it was time for food. Some people preferred to eat alone, but most of us gathered in small groups, sharing plates and laughter. There’s a unique satisfaction in eating with people who radiate positive energy. Even though I couldn’t eat much, I didn’t spare the meat either 😄.

Big thanks to the amazing ladies who cooked with so much love and laughter.

Hey, Rukky if you’re reading this, thank you for always cooking with a smiling face. 💜

After we had eaten, it was time for Zuhr prayer, the noon prayer. We prayed together under the open sky, and when we were done, it was time to head back to civilisation hearts full of gratitude, lungs refreshed, and minds sane again.

Oh, and did I mention that Sir JEM forgot our other part of egusi? 😅 Somehow, the ladies managed the little we had so well that it fed sixteen people and even more.

We began our walk back in two groups, since some of us (like me) were walking slowly. Along the way, we climbed another small but heartfelt mountain which made digestion happen faster than the speed of light!

We soon came across a breathtaking view of another mountain. Sir JEM called out to Peruzzi, “We must pick a day to come back and explore that one!” And of course, Mr Bala, even with his drone battery almost empty, couldn’t resist capturing the masterpiece on nature’s canvas.

Some hikers were already ahead of us. We got to a point where we weren’t sure which direction they had taken, so we paused. Moh suggested we call to confirm the path and it worked. Surprisingly, we reached the car park before the first set, since we unknowingly taken a shorter route. They were waiting for us, thinking we were still behind. That’s the beauty of trail-setting you never really know what surprise awaits!

By the time we all regrouped, everyone looked exhausted yet fulfilled.

Somewhere along the way, a deep conversation broke out about betrayal, love, and the painful extremes people go to. It’s scary how those who claim to love can end up hurting the ones closest to them. Taking a life leaves behind only grief and emptiness. Walking away is always the best option for both souls involved. Sometimes, the most courageous thing to do is to report or walk away, not retaliate.

When I finally got home, my heart overflowed with gratitude for the Almighty’s mercy that kept me safe, for the friends who looked after me, and for the strength to return in one piece.

Sir OVO, JEM, Emmirine, and Moh thank you for watching out for me. May the Almighty keep strengthening you all.

Mr Bala thanks for the ride. More fuel for your car, amen! 🚗💨

To the Naija Adventure Trail-Setting Crew thank you for the laughter, the lessons, and the love.

Founder, I see you. 💪

When I finally got home, my sweet Moori welcomed me with a warm hug and soft purrs. I took a long bath, sipped a cup of herb tea, and cuddled my cat to sleep. The day had started at 7:45 a.m. and ended around 5:05 p.m., thanks to traffic and that it's the beauty of journey. This was an 11km hike with over 15,000 steps.

P.S. I missed two people on this trail Eddibanga (our Presido) and Hercule. Can’t wait to have you both back on the trail soon.

👉 Your Turn, Beautiful Soul:

Have you ever taken a journey that tested you yet left you more grateful than ever? Share your trail of gratitude in the comments below. I can’t wait to read your story. 💛

Signing out with peace, love, and gratitude.

✨💜🌿

Photos credit goes to Sir Emmirine, thank you for capturing these memories.