"The following day, keen to start my planned treck into the Simien Mountains while the good weather lasted, I took a mid-morning bus on to Debark, where the track began. The 72 mile ride, which was on a very crowded bus, went over a high pass and took nearly 4 hours, the fare - £1.20.
After getting fixed up with a hotel, my first port of call was to the Park Rangers Office a mile back up the main road, where I had been told I would be able to make the necessary arrangements. To my pleasant surprise, the helpful Ranger said it would be possible for him to fix it so I could set off the next morning. I was delighted. 
 
I had been told by the man at the Tourist Office in Gondar that, because of the bandits in the park, it would be necessary for me to have two guards as well as a guide. So, I had at least been warned as to what would be involved, and because of this, and the cost I may have to incur, I had been hoping I would meet up with some other travellers, and be able to share it with them. It was not to be, but as I was still keen to go having come so far, I agreed to go it alone. That evening at the hotel I was introduced by the ranger to my guide, come interpreter, and I went off with him into the town to buy supplies for the treck. On our return the two guards or rangers had arrived. I had half expected them to be a couple of trigger happy teenagers, so it came as a bit of a relief when I found them to be two very experienced looking men in their early 50's. As the hotel also had a restaurant, I decided to take advantage of the interpreter being around, to help me order what I figured would probably be my last good meal for a few days. Afterwards, we all had a drink together before I turned in for an early night." - MH