Picture
Caption: 24-26 September 2015 Drakensberg Hike
Caption: "Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. " John Muir
Caption: On 24 September my wife Jana and I started our 3 day hike in the Didima valley of the Drakensberg mountain range. An adventure we will never forget!
Picture
Caption: Day 1 - Didima to Old Fire Lookout We signed the mountain register at Didima camp and bummed a lift halfway up Mike's Pass to start our first day of hiking. We climbed the steep ridge up Arendsig and pushed towards the Old Fire Lookout for our first overnight spot.
Picture
Picture
Caption: A long trek uphill towards the hut lies ahead
Picture
Caption: 4 Hours after starting our hike and a total ascent of 806m we finally made it to the hut. The views from here is spectacular!
Picture
Picture
Caption: Enjoying the sunset over the Cathedral range
Picture
Picture
Picture
Caption: Day 2 - Old Fire Lookout to top of Organ Pipes Pass The second day started early watching the sun rise over these majestic mountains - a humbling experience from up here. We packed up camp and headead towards Organ Pipes Pass were we would climb to the top of the escarpment.
Picture
Caption: Jana catching the first rays of light
Picture
Picture
Caption: The view towards Organ Pipes Pass
Picture
Caption: After a few kilometers in the baking morning sun we stopped for a break under a little overhang, providing us some shelter from the heat.
Picture
Caption: Approaching the pass
Picture
Picture
Caption: Once on the escarpment the mission was to fill up our water supplies and to find a camp spot for the night. There was a thunderstorm approaching so we had to move quickly.
We finally settled on a spot between the towering Cleft Peak (3281m) and Castle Buttress. The clouds built up quickly and the thunder started rumbling through the valley - an unforgettable sound!
Picture
Caption: Cleft Peak in the distance
Picture
Picture
Caption: With sore bodies we lay in our tent listening to the thunder clapping all around us. The temperature dropped and the rain started falling.
We enjoyed a hot cup of tea and and something to eat before we settled in for the night.
Picture
Caption: Day 3 - Back to civilization We packed up camp early and headed back towards Organ Pipes Pass where we would start our descent. We changed our returning route the night before as there would be more water points to fill up on our way back to Cathedral Peak hotel.
Picture
Caption: Jana at the top of the pass with a huge cairn in the background
Picture
Caption: Making our way down
Picture
Picture
Caption: We met up with other hikers from the Vertical Endeavour forum also descending via the Camel route. From here on down I had to put the camera away to concentrate on the route down, which proved tricky in some sections.
After a long trek down the mountain and finally reaching the Ribbon Falls route, we stopped for a water and lunch break
Picture
Caption: Heading back via the Camel route
Picture
Caption: After a very tiring and hot day we dragged ourselves back into Cathedral Peak where we catched a lift back to Didima in a taxi.
Picture
Caption: The End We booked a night at Didima and enjoyed a well deserved shower and a hearty meal. Our aching bodies and Jana's blistered feet rested well on the soft and comfy bed. The Drakensberg is truly an amazing place!
