The escarpment illuminated by the first beams of sunlight
The first hike in 2012 was Mafadi, our most popular hike in the Berg. Bradley, Ruan, Peter and Donovan, 4 fun-loving law students from Pretoria, made up a super vibrant party. It was their first trip to the escarpment so this was a great adventure for them, a great way to charge batteries before the start of their final year at university.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.
Our campsite by the Centenary Hut. We had walked in the mist most of the day
In the evening started to clear up, which allowed for the first vistas of the escarpment
It got better and better
Finally we could appreciate what a fantastic campsite we were at
The clouds hovering around us made it even more photogenic
Our lightweight shelter for the following 3 nights
What followed was a festival of colour
It was as though the sky was on fire
Last tea before bed
Sunrise at 5:30am
Not a cloud in the sky
panoramic shot of the escarpment
From Giants Castle Ridge to the Trojan Wall
From the Triplets to Cathkin Peak
Break at the bottom of Judge's Pass
Judge's Pass: 700m in 2.3km
A local Basotho with his Basotho pony
Views from 1000m high basalt cliffs
Our campsite by the Injisuthi Triplets
5:15am before sunrise - The Corner sticking out of the escarpment
I stuck my arm out to take this pciture on the edge of the escarpment
As close as you can get
Sunrise of the 3rd day
sunrise by the Corner
It takes a little longer for the sunlight to reach the valleys in the Little Berg
Eastern Injisuthi Triplet
Upper Injisuthi Cave
The group on top of Mafadi
Panorama from the roof of South Africa
Contemplation at 3450m above sea level
Our first Basotho shepherd
A sheep leader
Wild flowers growing out of the basalt rock
Another young shepherd. Basotho in their late adolescence are sent to the mountains as an initiation into adulthood.
A break above the Lesser and Greater Injisuthi Buttresses
Following the edge of the escarpment down to the top of Leslie's Pass
The Basotho shepherds are always accompanied by the loyal dogs.
Intercultural picture at the top of Leslie’s Pass, before going back to the South African side of the Drakensberg.
With a total descent of 1000m in 2.6km, Leslies Pass makes you wish you were going up instead.
Fortunately, at the bottom there are a few rewards
Our campsite at the bottom of Leslies Pass
A break in the bushy section from the bottom of Leslies Pass to Marble Baths
Marble Baths - How cool is that?
This one deserves a close-up
An another one!
Peter enjoying the jacuzzi-like Marble Baths
Relaxing before the final 8km back to camp
The end - From left to right: Bradley, Ruan, Peter and Donovan, 4 intrepids soon-to-be lawyers from Pretoria.
