Early morning, walking from the hotel towards Cathedral Peak, 7 miles distant and over a mile high.
Apprehensive but in for a surprise. (Right of middle at rear.)
Much later, getting closer as we admire the 'manicured' grassy slopes. Peak is right-rear.
We often find ourselves in interesting situations. We remember when we were in Jindabyne, a small town
in Australia, staying at a lodge. The Innkeeper, an English woman married to a local, knocked on our door saying,
“It’s been a while since we’ve been to the movies. Would you mind if we went out for the evening?”
Of course not. Direct inquiries to our room, we told her.
Sitting on the patio late Sunday afternoon after the proprietor of the Purple Cottages had mentioned they were going
fishing, seven sisters with their families (poor fish), we continued using our computers and watching for passing
traffic, all of three or four cars per hour on the main road. Shortly thereafter, a man approached and wanted to
know whether we had accommodation available. He was obviously Chinese in origin, speaking in broken English, and
so we asked as we are sometimes inquisitive, where he was from. We expected to hear ‘China or Taiwan or
even San Francisco’. However, when he answered Johannesburg, we smiled inwardly and realized we were caught off-guard.
We were able to offer some help but are now thinking of hooking up with a credit card company and taking deposits
for accommodations, if not commissions.
Jenni steels herself in a gorgeous environment for the final stretch.
Looking back through a gorge into the valley. (Camera has feature to highlight vivid colors.)
After 3,000 feet climb, the target becomes a reality and pretty scary.
Captivated by this scene. At rear is Cathkin Peak and friends in late afternoon.
Last year when we visited the Drakensberg, we were misdirected when inquiring where the trailhead was
for this formidable hike, Cathedral Peak. Something took hold of us demanding that we attempt to reach the
summit so we have returned. The statistics are daunting—over a vertical mile in elevation gain plus 13 miles
roundtrip. Jenni surprised us when she asked how high the climb would be. She normally knows these things as
she does most of the research. We stuttered and stumbled a bit before admitting that it was about 5,500 feet.
Our highest climb to-date in a day is a little over 6,000 feet but that was in two parts. This is slightly
different, being one solid upward movement, trailhead to peak.
'Minding the gap' between Cathkin and companions in early morning haze (see above photo).
Jenni appears a little apprehensive amongst the vivid colors. Probably, one her finest efforts. Without her,
I would not have been inspired to continue this very trying hike and climb.
A place that's not only for the birds. Obviously been to the chiropractor as she twists her neck 180 degrees.
The magnificent Dragon Mountains or as they are known locally, the Drakensberg are unbelievable. When we
live dangerously, it usually means we are being controversial. Although Jenni disassociated herself from this
paragraph, we would say the natural wonders of Cape Town and the surround are superb. However, the Drakensberg
is a ‘little more superb’. We await an attack from the Capetonians, Swiss, always from Peruvians and
New Zealanders, to mention just a few.
The mountains of Switzerland, remember we are mountain admirers, are amazing as are the rest of Europe, too. However,
like a beautiful woman who does not need makeup to show her beauty, the Drakensberg without snow in summer, is
still outstanding. We struggled today on a very tough hike but were at all times surrounded by the most beautiful
scenery of all time. Bear in mind, there was no snow, little water and yet we were mesmerized. What a place and
it's just one section situate in the central region. To view the amphitheater comprising varying sized and shaped
mountains is remarkable.
A weary boy preparing for the final but eventually, aborted ascent.
The editor never let up as she ascended a mile and nearly whined for a mile down.
The Outer Horn, a sister to The Cathedral.
Approaching the top of the gulley, below the peak.
The hike, from the car park amounted to 13 miles, gaining a vertical mile in elevation and of course,
another mile down. Man, it was tough going. The path was rocky, narrow, on edges and ledges and exposed
to the panoramas at all time. Two sessions in a gorge, both up and down, stretched our limited resources enormously.
It was one of the top hikes of all time combining some skill, a lot of energy and filled with beauty. The sad thing
is that with less than 400 feet to climb we failed to reach the impossible looking peak. The basalt was wet
and extremely slippery. With great reluctance and more wisdom than we normally show, we turned from a treacherous
climb and headed back. After 9 hours on this fantastic range, we failed by just a little to summit. What a letdown
after considerable effort. The excess time was spent taking many pictures and absorbing the wonder.
Approaching Orange Peel Gap, four miles from trailhead and 3,400 feet elevation gain, over 2,000 still to go.
The sun appeared just on time as we catch the Cathkin gang making a late afternoon appearance.
See you next time...
To be continued...
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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