Destinations Magazine

Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

By Spanafrican

Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

Cathkin peak and its other companions just before dark.


Charly from Belgium was coming to South Africa to take part in the Big Five Marathon in the Entabeni Game Reserve. But he wanted to take the challenge a little further and hike to SA’s highest peak a few days after the marathon. He admitted it would have been better if he had had a few more days rest in between. He had done Kilimanjaro by 3 different routes and according to him that was a child’s play in comparison with Mafadi.
If you would like to do this hike contact us at [email protected] or have a look at our website www.spanafrican-adventures.co.za for other exciting options.

Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

A panoramic picture of the escarpment in the Injisuthi Area, with the Injisuthi Triplets, Red Wall and the Lesser and Greater Injisuthi Buttress.


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

On the big climb of the first day on our way to Centenary Hut


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

Charly keeping the smile despite the strenuous effort.


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

Our campsite by the Centenary Hut.


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

Early winter is the burning season in the Drakensberg. The park is divided into different sections that are rotationally burned on a biennial basis.


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

Following the contour path on our way to Judges Pass.


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

Up Judges Pass. The smile is still there.


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

The path was iced up in some sections so some care was needed. 


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

Somebody had been through the snow before us. We just had to follow their footprints. 


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

On the southern slope before the hanging valley where our cave was. Fortunately the snow was quite hard and didn’t demand any extra effort from us.


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

On top of the saddle at last! The cave was not far from there.


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

Sunrise from Upper Injisuthi Cave. 


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

Upper Injisuthi Cave, our cosy shelter. At 3300m it’s the highest cave in the Drakensberg.


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

On the Mafadi platform, at 3450m above sea level, with all the southern snowy slopes in the distance covered in 4 week old snow. 


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

Despite the freezing winds the vistas were well worth it.


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

An unusual for winter layer of clouds was quickly rising.


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

The head of Leslies Pass. It’s hard to believe it’s possible to walk down there. 


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

I was worried about the pass being full of snow but it wasn’t too bad after all.


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

Once we were past the top section the pass was free of snow.


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

Something different: the escarpment casting a shadow on the clouds.


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

The final metres of Leslie’s Pass.


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

The scary looking Leslie’s Pass in full display


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

The clouds quickly dissipated during the evening and this is how it looked the next morning.


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

The escarpment in that typical pinkie light after sunrise.


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

Looking back to where we had come from.


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

The Ape and Old Woman Grinding Corn in the background.


Mafadi Trek with Charly and Charlie - July 2011

The confluence of the Injisuthi River and the Marble Baths Stream.


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