Adams in the clouds
The first morning in Ella and waking up to the pitta patta of rain, oh well, let's be optimistic and hope for better later on. For now though breakfast, and for my 300 rupees I have in front of me; curd with honey, 2 thick circular breads toasted and with Jam then a selection of fresh fruits - jack fruit, pineapple, papaya and banana. Not bad for £1.50, it's about the same in the village. Oh, and I get a gallon of tea.
Still raining, a steady drizzle though, something us Brits are quite used to, and Sri Lankans too. There's a very good reason why the British planted tea bushes here - plenty of rain. Being high above sea level means the hill country is often enveloped in clouds, thus damp, wet and cool conditions are common.
Looks like the rain is set for the day, so there's no point sitting around waiting. Today's objective was to climb 'Little Adams Peak', so called as to being a similar shaped mountain to Adams Peak near to Hatton, only the climb is a few kilometres less. Setting off then, up the Passara road for 1km until the sharp left bend. Take the right here and it leads to the mountain, according to Peter, the house owner. The rain has eased enough to get the camera out, although the views are obscured with mist. A panorama of sorts then, looking down onto tea fields and across the valley towards the mountain opposite - Ella rock. Continuing the hike up after this brief interlude and the rain starts, heavier this time, it's all getting very soggy! A little shak constructed on the hill, it looks a good place to shelter at least until the rain eases again. 50 rupees for a coconut, 30 in Kandy.
After about 1 1/2 hours the rain is easing again, just about stopped actually, a little brightness breaking out. The peak over at Ella Rock is poking through the clouds making for a photo with a different perspective. A second later, the whole mountain is masked once again, and drizzle sets in here. Nearly there now so might as well carry on! It's a gentle hike, a well trodden path meandering around the mountain, getting wetter with altitude. It's about a 40 minute hike from that little shack to the peak. Driving rain, not a great deal to see, as expected well and truly in the clouds. Oh, wait a minute, the clouds suddenly parting and there is a misty view of distant mountains and the Ella Gap, the area in between 'Little Adams Peak' and 'Ella Rock'. A view that last just a couple of minutes as the clouds and rain close in again.
Thoroughly wet, time to head back down driving rain unabated. About half way down and there is a little shed of sorts. Better see if it's any good to shelter since everything, even back pack is getting seriously wet. Yes, it's a store for hay, but good enough to use as a shelter for the one tourist daft enough to be on this mountain on a day like this! Soon joined by a stray dog, looking equally wet through. It's a good hour before the rain eases again, better make a dash for base!
Plan now is to dry out, go to the village and get some of that Kottu, then grab a pot of tea from next door and make use of their Wifi for a couple of hours. Still drizzling as I head back to the house, better luck with tomorrows weather hopefully.
