ROODEPOORT HIKING CLUB
2007 DRAKENSBERG GRAND TRAVERSE
Fourteen hikers will brave this great adventure from the north to south (230km - 13 days). Starting at Sentinel Car Park near Phuthatijaba (Witsieshoek) across the chain ladder along the Amphitheatre. The Amphitheatre, a great curved wall, eight kilometers long and strikingly symmetrical, flanked at each end by two mighty peaks, the Sentinel and the Eastern Buttress, with the Tugela Waterfall (917m) tumbling into the abyss, is scenically one of the best in the Berg. The route onward includes a traverse of Mount-aux-Sources (3 282m) - named in 1836 by French Missionaries who had found the sources of the four great rivers, including the Tugela and the Orange.
The Ifidi Buttress may produce a rare sighting of the endangered Lammergeier or the Bearded Vulture. One of the finest sights of frozen waterfalls is at Yodler's Cascades.
Heading for Ship's Prow you enjoy the visual delights of the Injasuti range.
The summit of Mafadi (3 446m) is just above the Injasuti Summit Cave and the highest point in South Africa is an easy detour. Langalibalele, named after a rebellious 19th century chief of the Hlubis next and beyond is Giants Castle (3 314m).
The Mkhomazi Pass provides direct view of the imposing summit of Nthaba Ntlenyana (3482m), the highest point on the sub-continent. From here the traverse is one of GT's hardest, rising over several 'false summits' before the top is reached.
At Sani Pass you can celebrate with a glass of Jagermeister and a meal at the highest bar in Africa. Thabana Ntlenyana or "the pretty little mountain", affectionately named by the Basotho people, is the highest peak on the African Continent south of Kilimanjaro.
After Sani, Hodgson's Peaks with Giant's Cup are the next landmarks. The Southern Berg which includes Rhino Peak, Sandleni Cave offer a view of Sandleni Pinnacle and then it is the home stretch to Bushman's Nek.
At St Bernard's Mountain Lodge the journey ends with a well-deserved rest, soft bed, hot shower and excellent food.
Safe journey back for those who joined us from the Cape, Free State and Gauteng.
Watch this space as we keep you updated with stories and photos of this incredible journey of a lifetime.
SPONSORS
The Roodepoort hiking club likes to thank the sponsors (in random order) who helped us with this event:
Cape Union Mart
Sanlam
HerbaLife
CARS Randburg (Francois)