After walking, mainly climbing through dense forest along a 'goat trail' for more than an hour, we reached a jeep path. We made the right as suggested by the lodge guide which turned out to be the wrong way. We retraced our footsteps and made the left turn which took us to the top—although to be fair, the path gave us no assistance. We sat on the jeep trail, removed our brunch from the backpack, including utensils. Moments before we began to eat, the editor rather nonchalantly remarked,"Wouldn't it be funny should a car come roaring up the mountain?" Very funny, indeed!
Within less than a minute, we heard the approach of a land rover, our first sighting of fellow humans on the trail. They were employees of the timber company that owned the land. The timing was amazing. We had to move the dining table, chairs, kitchen sink and other appurtences we carried up to show the correct degree of appreciation to our delightful editor for her culinary skills.
Heading for Hog 1, one of three sisters, after an hour through the ascending forest.
A little color on the trail as we cross the jeep trail.
A typical breakfast might include fresh...
as well as very fresh...
Editor gazes down into the valley from part-way up the Hog.
The previous day, we met Michael of Scotland, on a trail in the Auckland Forest. He was traveling throughout the country over a three-month period. We swopped ideas and had a good conversation. We suggested he visit the Northern Drakensberg, perhaps the central part but at least settle for the southern, if his schedule allowed. We parted. Seven days later, Jen and I had just returned from a double climb of the twin Mount Hodgekin Peaks and decided to take a drink in the highest pub in Africa, that is, the bar in Lesotho.
Sani Pass, where we sat, is at nearly 10,000 feet altitude and five miles from South Africa, reached using a winding jeep road. We'd walked up the previous day. Our position (in the bar) was also about nine-hours traveling distance by car from Hogsback.
Michael walked to us while we were sitting in the pub and quietly said, 'Hello'.
We have had many coincidences over the years but this one really got us excited.
The path from the top of Tyumie Falls is perhaps one of the steepest we have ever descended.
Moving up the mountain, the editor captures the action and becomes our number-one photographer. As Barry Kassar
questioned the other day, "Is there anything the editor doesn't do? Is there anything that you (Jeffrey) do? Great questions."
Following an earlier photo, the editor continues the 'plod to the Hog'.
The hike was long, steep and rough but a superb experience. We found an alternate route for the way down which proved less rough than the ascent but for the part along the waterfall. This turned out to be one of the steepest descents we have experienced. Statistics are not a priority in South Africa and therefore, we would estimate an elevation gain of close to 3,000 feet and probably 9 miles of distance covered.
Returning from the Hog (notice the 'blue dot').
Editor pleased with herself although ends the day understandably weary.
Multiple cliffs abound.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
A few peeks from the Kruger National Park:
It would seem the appropriate animal to portray in this blog.
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic...impala, too.
Mother and child make the crossing after we had anticipated their route through the bush.
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