AGM & Ethiopia – Trekking the Simien Mountains
5th April 2016
Jenny Allan, with photography by Andrew Luyten
![Simien Mountains](images/JA_MG_1132.jpg)
In 2010 Jenny and Andrew undertook a strenuous, remote trek in the Simien Mountains, often described as the most beautiful mountains in Africa. The area is listed as a World Heritage Site due to its stunning scenery and wildlife.
There they experienced the isolated splendour of the rocky plateaux, deep gorges and striking rock formations that are a major feature of this sensational National Park, and ascended Ras Dashen, at 4,543 metres, the highest mountain in Ethiopia. There were encounters with the friendly and hospitable Ethiopian people, as well as a variety of the indigenous wildlife including the Gelada baboon, Lammergeier (bearded vulture) and Walia Ibex (rare and endangered).
This slightly shorter than usual talk will be preceded by the Club's Annual General Meeting.
![church painting](images/JA_MG_0361.jpg)
Painting from inside Debre Birhan Selassie, Gonder, Ethiopia
![thick billed raven](images/JA_MG_0589.jpg)
Thick Billed Ravens
![Simien plateau](images/JA_MG_0630.jpg)
Big views from atop one plateau down to another
![Gelada](images/JA_MG_0822.jpg)
A Thoughtful Gelada
![child herders](images/JA_MG_0594.jpg)
Homeward bound at the end of the day
![Simien mountains](images/JA_MG_0868.jpg)
Looking back to the main escarpment from a lower camp
![coffee ceremony](images/JA_MG_1332.jpg)
Coffee Ceremony
![lammergeier](images/JA_MG_1140.jpg)
Camp Lammergeier
![wild west muleteer](images/JA_MG_1365.jpg)