Top of the world: I answered the call of mountains

James Kariuki, the man who has hiked Mt Kenya more that 300 times. [Picture, Standard]

James Kariuki has a gentleman’s mien — soft spoken, courteous and considerate. Nothing in his demeanor betrays his adventurous spirit, his dalliance with Africa’s highest mountains, not to mention his time in the airforce.

For the last 25 years, Kariuki has hiked Mount Kenya more than 300 times, first as a construction worker, then a potter and currently, as a professional guide. And if all goes to plan, Kariuki will summit Mount Kilimanjaro — Africa’s highest — for the 34th time in his 40th trip to the mountain.