The trek to the top of Thotupolakanda (2,360 metres) is an easy one. When I climbed it, Horton Plains was shrouded in a thick veil of mist. During a rest stop about 15 minutes before reaching the peak, the weather relented momentarily. The veil parted to show Adam's Peak rising neat and triangular, and then lifted beneath my feet to reveal the slope carpeted in inflorescence. A strong sunbeam pierced the cover and picked out Kande Ella tank gleaming in the distance.

Although I am told that conquering Kirigalpotte (2,313 metres) is also not too difficult, I found it a far more arduous exercise. My advice to you is never try it in the rainy month of October, as I did. To reach the base of the climb we had to cross a waterlogged plain. The path was awash in slush and at times became a rivulet. Suddenly a plodding foot would plunge into an unseen hole three feet deep. Shoes and jeans were heavy with mud. I heaved an enormous sigh of relief when we reached thc slopes. At least we would not be walking in a drain. But the solace was short-lived. The ground was slippery and we had to double over and charge through the undergrowth almost on all fours along trails used by wild boar.  Continued...

PAGE 8/9