Adam´s Peak (Sri Lanka)

I'm from Sri Lanka, so I'd obviously have good things to say about Adam's Peak, right? Well, yes, but it was such an experience, and the second time was better than the first.

Adam's Peak is Sri Lanka's second (or was it third?) highest peak. It stands tall at over 7000 feet, which is quite impressive when you consider that the island is smaller than Ireland, but has peaks much taller than Ben Nevis! Don't let this deter you, though ...
...is at 3500 feet or so already, so the climb itself is only about 3500 feet more.

My first climb was with my brothers and a Hungarian friend. We had picked a day in the off-season (sometime in June if I recall - the season is between December and April and is too crowded to be fun). We started climbing at about 3pm, and got up just in time for the 6.30 sunset. The feeling of achievement, coupled with watching the sun set into the clouds ... more

I'm from Sri Lanka, so I'd obviously have good things to say about Adam's Peak, right? Well, yes, but it was such an experience, and the second time was better than the first.

Adam's Peak is Sri Lanka's second (or was it third?) highest peak. It stands tall at over 7000 feet, which is quite impressive when you consider that the island is smaller than Ireland, but has peaks much taller than Ben Nevis! Don't let this deter you, though - we drove to the foot of the mountain, which is at 3500 feet or so already, so the climb itself is only about 3500 feet more.

My first climb was with my brothers and a Hungarian friend. We had picked a day in the off-season (sometime in June if I recall - the season is between December and April and is too crowded to be fun). We started climbing at about 3pm, and got up just in time for the 6.30 sunset. The feeling of achievement, coupled with watching the sun set into the clouds as they rushed below us was exhilerating. It is very tiring, but watching old ladies do it almost effortlessly helps spur you on. There's also the enjoyment of going by tea estates, rainforests, waterfalls and Buddhist temples. We stayed overnight on the top with the monks, and came down again the next day. This is not recommended! The accommodation was basically straw mats on a hard floor, and we had stiff backs by morning. I would also not recommend going in rainy weather, because the path is broken, steep and uneven at times, and leeches tend to come out in the moisture.

The second time I climbed was with an American friend, and we aimed for sunrise instead of sunset. We started at 1am, so we carried flashlights, and this time there was a stray three-legged dog that overtook us and embarrassed us into hurrying, so we were up at the top by 4.30am. This is way too early, and it was generally cold and dark, but when we broke the cloud barrier and saw the clear starry sky, it felt worthwhile! It's a real pity I'm no good with cameras, since I saw some of nature's real beauty that day. If you can abide a bit of exercise, and really appreciate tropical and mountain scenery, make it happen!

RECOMMENDED:
Go during a dry part of the off-season (the period outside Dec-Apr). The path is not lit, so you'll need to carry flashlights. Start out at about 2am, to see the 6am or 6.30am sunrise (depending of time of year). Carry about 1½ litres of clean water per person, but don't overdo it. You'll appreciate having a warm pullover when you reach the top, but carrying too much stuff is no fun. Carry salt for the leeches - if a leech bites you, sprinkle salt on it, or hold a flame nearby, and it should let go. If you pull it out, it will leave it's jaws in your flesh, and that's just nasty.
Also, apply soap to your legs, so they don't get on too easily, and do not stop for rest breaks near the waterfalls, tempting as this may be. Leeches like dampness.
You may see some tea pluckers on your way down, and they are normally really happy if you have a couple of biscuits for them, and quite flattered if you take their picture (with their permission)
If you're hiring a car or bus, it's worth letting the driver sleep overnight (rather than bringing him on the climb) so that when you get back down he can drive you off to comfort somewhere. 

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