The party on the escarpment. From left to right: Simona, Tank, Valerio and Elna.
A few months had elapsed since my last visit to the High Berg so I was really excited to this hike. This time the party was made up of Valerio and Simona from Italy and Elna and Tank from Pretoria, a nice Afro-Italian mix. This was my 6th hike to Mafadi in 2011 but, no matter how many times you hike in the Drakensberg, it is always a different and inspirational experience.
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On the first day the Dragon’smountains were looking a little moody.
Tenting by the Centenary Hut.Unfortunately, the hut is completely derelict and not very hospitable these days.
The short but steep 300m sectiontowards the contour path right at the start of the second day. Notice the Centenary Hut in the background
Simona and Valerio working hard up Judgespass: a vertical ascent of 700m in only 2.3km.
Once on the escarpment we couldenjoy clear blue skies. The westerly winds coming from Lesotho usually preventthe clouds from advancing over the escarpment.
Views from our campsite by theInjisuthi Triplets. Cathkin peak always looming in the background.
A typical social evening in themountains. We were all happy to keep out of the cold wind.
On top of Mafadi. Believe it or notthis is what it looks like on the highest point in South Africa.
Fearless Tank getting a little tooclose to the cliffs.
Tank with the Lesser and theGreater Injisuthi Butresses.
Elna and the Greater Injisuthi Butress
Head of Leslies Pass, our way downfrom the escarpment. Here Tank was helping me to show the scale.
Zooming in.
And a bit closer.
The first metres down Leslies Pass.The pass is 2.6km long over rough terrain with a total vertical elevation of1000m.
It takes about 3 hours to complete.You’d never say 2.6km could take so long, would you?
Here we’re almost done. The head ofthe pass is right in the middle of the picture, the left one of the 2 smallsaddles.
At Marble Baths on the last day. Thispool is a paradise for tired hikers. From here is "only" 8km to the head trail. Noticethe Greater Injisuthi Buttress high above us in the background, which we wereoverlooking 2 days before.
Accomplished hikers at the end ofthe hike.
