Every evening when Anne Kimonyo came home from work, she would lace up her sneakers and hit the pavement. On dark nights, her feet would rhythmically hit the sidewalks of her house, the sound echoing her inner struggle.
It wasn't a routine she particularly enjoyed, but it was necessary—a way to escape the despair and anxiety that had been her unwelcome companions for the past five years.
“I needed to feel alive,” she says, adding, “I needed a distraction that could turn into passion, into something that would ease the sadness that accompanies my anxiety. I sat behind a computer all day, and my anxiety burned. I longed to escape into thin air.” “It's a calming thing.”
Evening walks and occasional runs weren't entirely satisfying, but they were the first steps toward a greater goal.
It all started in 2014. When Anne was 25 years old, she was a trained journalist working for a training company. Every day was a battle against anxiety.
“I love adrenaline,” she recalls, her eyes lighting up. “It makes me feel alive. That's what led me to bungee jumping and rafting in Sagana.
That trip to Sagana, Kirinyaga District, sparked a transformation. Today, Anne is 35 years old, spending almost the entire year in the wilderness. As an outdoor educator, she travels far and wide to teach others the skills needed to survive in the wilderness—an art she calls “backpacking.”
Anne Kimonyo on a day hike on Mount Kenya.
Image credit: Swimming pool
“Outdoor education is broad in scope,” she explained. “It could be hiking, camping, water sports. My niche is hiking and backpacking.
At first, bungee jumping provided her with the adrenaline rush she craved. But then, I discovered hiking.
“For the entire year of 2014, every weekend was an adventure – hiking or camping. It was my escape and my therapy.”
With each hike or camping trip, her fitness improved, but more importantly, she found fulfillment.
“After each activity, despite the pain and fatigue, I felt happy. I began to understand myself better, even on a social level.”
Living in the wild
With each day, Anne grew and looked for new challenges. Encountering Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro several times intensified her desire for something different.
“At first, it was about reaching the peaks, and the accomplishment of standing on top. But after a while, it became about the journey, and the experience of living in the wilderness.
Her wish came true when she got a job with an American backpacking and hiking agency, which trained her to become an outdoor specialist.
“As an outdoor educator, it's no longer about me. It's about empowering others to embrace the outdoors. We teach skills like hiking, backpacking, tent building, and wilderness survival.
Anne is now stationed at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, spending about seven months of the year in the wilderness.
“The longest streak I've ever been in the mountains is 42 days. You can carry everything you need for at least 30 days — food, utilities, gear.”
On these trips, she is constantly on the move.
Anne Kimonio backpacks in the Wind River Range, Wyoming, USA, in July 2023.
Image credit: Swimming pool
“The wilderness is vast. We go into remote areas, set up camps in different locations, and trek to new scenery every day.
You usually carry a backpack weighing at least 30 kilograms.
“Sometimes, it's not about climbing a mountain. It's about connecting with nature, waking up to beautiful views every day.
In the wilderness, communications were cut off.
“That's the point. Mountaineering promotes teamwork and kills anti-social behavior. It builds character and discipline. Can you go without your phone or the Internet? It's hard to stay away from technology, but being there teaches you normalcy.”
Anne acknowledges the risks.
“Nature can be unforgiving. That's why following instructions and mastering survival skills is crucial.
Skills Anne and her team teach include driving, reading maps, creating emergency shelters, fending off predators, finding food, purifying water, first aid, signaling for help, and choosing the right equipment.
“These skills teach you to be present and live in the moment, away from the distractions and pressures of life. This is the true calling.”