No Picnic on Mount Kenya

Felice Benuzzi was in the Italian Colonial Service in Addis Ababa from 1938 until he was rounded up with other Italian civilian population in 1941. He was declared a prisoner of war, brought to Kenya and imprisoned in 354 PoW Camp, administered by the British at Nanyuki, near Mt Kenya.

Benuzzi explains his story, detailing his life in the camp, the boredom and monotony, and the need for a goal - an achievement - something to plan and prepare for. As an amateur mountaineer he knew a little, but perhaps not enough to know all the difficulties in carryout the trip he planned.

In short, he found two companions, one to climb with and one to settle in the base camp and assist with the logistics and the trip to the mountain and back. The three men set about to obtain rations and equipment (through barter, trade and care parcels from home), and formulate a plan.

Then, simply put, the men escapes from the Pow camp, walked to the mountain following the Nanyuki River, proceeded to ascend, set up a base camp then attempt the climb to the upper summit. After this, they packed up and re-traced their steps, broke back into the PoW camp, and took their punishment.

I won't spoil the details of the summit, and the history of the mountain, which is well explained.

Obviously this is a translated work. I am not sure whether the translation has any effect, but I didn't the writing exceptional, although the content is. What it lacks in polished narrative it makes up for in audacity, human effort and ambition. Benuzzi shares his thoughts and failings as readily as his successes, giving the impression of honestly and a likeable man.

Rations in particular, were limited - when do you hear stories of generous portions in a PoW camp? Yet these men saved food, traded other goods for food, enough to undertake an 18 day mountaineering expedition. Food, health, wild animals, weather and sleep all bring elements of challenge to this story.

4 stars