Taraba to host Mountain of Death TV show

The show with focus on environmental conservation, eco tourism promotion and other outdoor activities, is targeted at individuals across the globe of 18 years and above who find inner fulfillment in overcoming natural challenges. Chief host of the program, the Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai pointed out that the series will open up the tourism […]

The show with focus on environmental conservation, eco tourism promotion and other outdoor activities, is targeted at individuals across the globe of 18 years and above who find inner fulfillment in overcoming natural challenges.

Chief host of the program, the Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai pointed out that the series will open up the tourism potentials and development of his state. “We are happy that Mountain of Death will be drawing national and international attention on the need to come to Taraba to open opportunities for both communities to develop.” He said since the creation of the state in 1991, it was only last year the state’s Tourism Board was created. “This is an opportunity for the world to explore one of nature’s best kept secrets,” he added.

As regards security and habitability of the area which has hardly been in use, the Conservator General, Nigeria National Parks Services, Alhaji Haruna Tanko Abubakar, said “in 12 years of operations, we have not had any form of accident or security hazards. That notwithstanding, we have trained rangers ready for attack against wild animals and intruders as well as insurance and medical facilities for participants.”

While speaking with journalists at the Abuja Children’s Zoo the organisers explained that, The Mountain of Death Survival (which is the literary translation of the Fulani word, Chappal Wade) series one is set to run through the Gashaka Gumti National Park; and culminate at the peak of Nigeria’s highest mountain. It will be a test of intellectual skill, power and endurance of 50 trekkers (10 Nigerians and 40 from across the globe) who will push through some of the most demanding obstacles and problems across five habitats – savannah, savannah woodland, montane grassland, montane forest and rain forest.

The name, Mountain of Death was not drawn from multiple deaths on the mountain, rather, it was from the fact that standing at the foot of the mountain, one does not see the roof and climbing to the top, the environment is covered with smoke and one is separated from the happenings outside the mountain top. As such, the indigenes believe that an adventure to the mountain top is not only risky but also, a suicidal attempt.

The one who conquers The Mountain of Death come April 2010, gets the ultimate prize of N10million, a week’s holiday in any destination, a brand new 4×4 and a final opportunity into the Chappal Wade cave.