WALK THE MIGHT MOUNTAINS in the footstep of Ethiopia’s highest peak, Ras Dashen. Or go one better and tackle it! The scenery and wildlife are worth every step. With guides and cooks ready to work, making arrangements couldn’t be easier.

The rare and endangered Wali ibex is the most southermost ibex specie. Most of the remaining 500 animals are found in the Simiens.

On the last night of our hike, we had eaten all our food. In the nearby village, we bought a simple home cooked meal, which was delicous.

Guides, cooks, escorts, mules can all be easily arranged in the departure town of Debark, by visiting the park office.

Truck travel remains common in many parts of Ethiopia. When thereis nothing else, you don't care how crowded it is.

We hired the mandatory escort and a muleman. We carried tent, sleeping bags, cooking gear, warm clothes. They had a blanket and a bag full of bread.

At a view point at around 4000m. Blankets and for the lucky, plastic sandals their protection from the elements.

The wet season was breaking. It had absolutely bucketed down in Gondar two days before our hike. We were extremely fortunate.

Green plastic bathroom sandals, an imatation AK, and a blanket. For four days in the mountains. Our escort.

Some of the altitude and one or two of the descents were hard going, but mostly the hike was cold but pleasant.

Besides baboons and ibex, we also some the Ethiopian fox, one of the rarer dog species, as well as a variety of birds, large and small.