This Sunday, February 18, 2007, over 600 athletes from about 12 countries will gather in the town of Buea at the foot of Mount Cameroon, West Africa's tallest mountain. for one of the most grueling but least known extreme sports events in the world; the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope.
Mt. Fako Towering over the Town of Buea (c) Bobby10 - flickr
The race kicks off in the Molyko stadium in scorching tropical temperatures. As athletes scale the mountain slopes, they go through a dizzying array of climatic and geographical zones;

from a dense tropical rainforest to a frigid summit sometimes covered by snow, passing through a prairie-like Savannah region and a barren moonlike area covered with molten lava. The downward journey is even more treacherous as exhausted athletes are literally pushed down the steep slopes by the unforgiving force gravity.
Braving the frigid temperatures on the way to the summit (c) Maurus Rohrer
Chicago in February? No, Mt. Fako Summit in February (c) Maurus Rohrer
Running downhill in the Savannah region (c) Maurus Rohrer
Visit the Bakwerirama website for additional information and pictures of "the Chariots of the gods".
THIS IS A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE MOUNT CAMEROON ECOTOURISM CLUB BUEA FOR ILLEGALLY REGISTERING TWO OF MY ATHLETS
I have the honour to bring before your honourable office, this humble complaint against the Mount Cameroon Ecotourism (MCEO) Athletic Club for illegally registering two of my athletes to include: Lyonga William Mondoa and Ekonde Walters Lyonga in the 12th Edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope.
It is worth noting that I had been sponsoring these athletes for the past three years, during which they have effectively participated in the past Mount Cameroon Race of Hope of which I have effectively ensured and taking care of their preparation both morally, financially and otherwise.
But to my greatest dismay, the Mount Cameroon Ecotourism Athletic Club has forcefully registered these athletes as its club members to boast its image without either their parental nor my managerial consent contrary to the rules and regulations governing the athletic federation in Cameroon if not internationally.
Consequently, I would be most grateful if you crave your indulgence in seeing that order is not only brought, but is seen to be restituted in this domain in the Athletic Federation in the South West Province, Cameroon in particular and the World as a whole in which the Mount Cameroon Eco-tourism Organization does not only reign supreme but equally create credence against letting way for a flood gate of irregularities in this prestigious organization that the body epitomize.
While looking forward to the wise consideration of the Mount Cameroon Eco-tourism Organization, equally accept my best regards.
c/o mcyemtih@yahoo.com
my number is 237 522 57 04
Posted by: Ndive njie | February 17, 2007 at 02:40 PM
Brother, I have a piece of advice for the athletes you represent. Next time, let them sign that piece of paper called a contract before you engage them. I know, you probably had a verbal or faith based contract, but in this world that the white man is dominating, it means nothing. Forget about those guys for now.
Posted by: QueenBee | February 17, 2007 at 03:11 PM
I am thrilled.
Was searching to find something related to geology about this massif volcanic body, just to get such lively infos about the touristic part of it.
Please do keep up the spirit of passing on infos Bro.
Posted by: Limunga la Njoh | February 23, 2007 at 08:29 PM
the name is mount fako, i dont know who started calling it mount cameroun.
la republique du cameroun doesnt owns ant mountain. just as india doesnt owns any
east african sea.
Posted by: paolo laurent | March 10, 2007 at 12:38 AM
thecworld have never seen a race, where
instead of constables keeping order,
you see. soldiers with guns thutting by their waists and machetees on their hands
by the participant,isnt this for intimidation of the masses or a jungle.
called ( CAMEROUN)I MEAN LA REPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN. A FRENCH FOREIGN STATE IN WEST AFRICA, ACTING ITSELF AS A NEW COLONIAL MASTER ON THE SIL OFA FOREING LAND CALLED SOUTHERN CAMEROONS? WONDERS NEVER ENDS BUT SOMEONE GOTA BLOW THEIR BRAINS OUT WITH MORE FIRE POWER, I MEANT IT.
Posted by: paolo laurent | March 29, 2007 at 07:49 PM