--- title: "The Trip That Never Was" description: "Gayne wasn’t In Cameroon but his friends were – A Gallery Of Jealousy And Regret" date: "2010-06-23" modified: "2010-06-23" authors: - name: "Gayne C. Young" link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/gayne-c-young/" url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/hunting/2010/06/gayne-reflects-trip-never-was/" categories: - "Hunting" --- # The Trip That Never Was ![]() ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo1001313406C_1_0.jpg]() *Last year my good friend Mark Buchanan invited me to hunt with him in Cameroon. Unfortunately I couldn't make the trip and had to decline. In true jerk-wad friend fashion though, Mark sent me pictures of everything I missed. Yes, I hate him.* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo1001313406C_2_0.jpg]() *Flying into basecamp Mark was filled with an "overwhelming sorrow" that I wasn't with him.* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201006C_3_2.jpg]() *"It looks like Eden," Mark thought to himself. "But what is Eden without Gayne?" Deep Mark. Deep. But creepy. Deep but creepy.* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201006C_4_2.jpg]() *A logging road cuts through the unexplored wilds of Cameroon - or so I'm told.* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201006C_5_2.jpg]() *"Don't come to hunt here without Gayne!" the angry villager roared.* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201006C_6_2.jpg]() *Guav Johnson on the left with Mark Buchanan and what should have been my forest sitatunga.* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201006C_7_2.jpg]() *Had I been on this trip, would that truck have gotten stuck? No, of course not. With my luck it would have blown up.* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201006C_8_2.jpg]() *"Where is Gayne?" the sweet little local girl inquired. "He bailed on me. Didn't come," Mark replied. "Go from this place!" the girls screamed. "You are not welcome without Gayne."* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201006C_9_0.jpg]() *This lizard is big. And also still very much alive as Mark ran in fear at the sight of it.* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo1001313406C_10.jpg]() *Guav Johnson (left), cameraman T.J. Shimunek, and Mark Buchanan with his bay duiker.* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo1001313406C_11.jpg]() *Am I jealous that Mark got to see gorillas in the wild? I was until…* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201006C_12_0.jpg]() *…the gorilla decided he didn't like being on film, flew down the tree, and charged the hunting group.* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201006C_13_0.jpg]() *What does Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai have to do with Gayne not hunting in Cameroon? Nothing. Nothing at all.* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201006C_14_0.jpg]() *Bread molds quickly in the tropical forest.* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo1001313406C_15.jpg]() *But snails don't, which is why the Pygmy trackers ate them for lunch. Mark swears he didn't provide this guy with his shirt.* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201006C_16_0.jpg]() *The outfitter's swimming pool leaves a lot to be desired.* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo1001313406C_17.jpg]() *T.J. is forced to strip after an army of ants invades his pants … what? I believe him.* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo1001313406C_18.jpg]() *The Gabon viper is considered to be one of the most deadly snakes in the world. This one's not that big as Mark is only 4 feet 9 inches tall.* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201006C_19_0.jpg]() *This dwarf forest buffalo is very big. Mine would have been bigger.* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201006C_20_0.jpg]() *The gang with Mark's blue duiker* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo1001313406C_21.jpg]() *This is one of the is largest Peters's duikers ever taken. Still, I'm not sure why that tracker on the right is looking at him like that.* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo1001313406C_22.jpg]() *That the Pygmies eat raw fresh-caught fish makes them men. Their wearing Jelly sandals, not so much.* ![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201006C_23_0.jpg]() *This destruction was caused by forest elephants and it's also one of the reasons I won't miss going to Cameroon with Mark in 2012. To see Mark in action on other hunts visit www.bigboreproductions.com*