Lazarow World-Hike-About

To truly obtain a better understanding of nature, of the world, it’s ideal to connect with it rather than learn of it. Absorption of nature by lecture, reading and discussion provides clues but does not reveal its mystery, harshness, beauty and above all, fails to leave indelible impressions on both body and soul. JCL    From Jackal Hill, we not only get a view of Mont-aux-Sources but the previous night's snow covering, too. And another view of the Sentinel. Following heavy rains, streams and rivers all flowing strongly. In the distance, the focal point of a recent hike: Sugarloaf. Face in the other direction and we see another hike we undertook twice from different directions: Camel's Hump. Always tricky but worse when wet. We've spent much time searching for as well as following baboons. They have been elusive. We never realized we had a monkey with us. Looking for the bare woman. 'I think I found her, Jen.' "I ask you, What's...

The Drakensberg is not all about climbing, hiking and scrambling on the mountains. Who would have thought? Funnily enough, Jeffrey, there are a few other features, too. Views of the mountains and other surroundings make us feel we're living in paradise or at least, miracles occurred overnight and will continue ad infinitem.  Breaking news so vital to Southern Africa, perhaps to the rest of the world, is mentioned in the text below. Keep and eye on the Eland antelope.  The weather in a word: Cloudy. Eland visiting in the neighborhood. A person should first understand that the Eland is a species of antelope, the female is the largest in size, in the world. Thereafter, reading of this text should make more sense. Hopefully, the writer means complete sense. It’s breaking news in the country that a new gadget has been developed which will enable millions of people living in the wilderness to access the internet. While some may argue it’s not progress as it will make ...

 When we discovered the Drakensberg Gardens region, a fellow hiker mentioned it in passing without saying much, we wondered what were we missing. The information on the internet seemed exaggerated. Then we arrived at the resort (not the hotel) and still wondered what this was all about. Frankly, it's a gorgeous place, set in the mountains, alongside a lake, with chalets adorning the lapping water, serene, colorful and at peace. It almost seems a person has left the world and found nirvana. Even after a few days spent in a chalet, which is more like a not-so-small house, views to absorb at every turn, friendly staff and hikes leading from the property, we still questioned whether we were dreaming.    To provide some perspective, reality set in unfortunately. The weather turned poor which hampered our ability to take full advantage of the opportunities available. For us, an absence of hiking and adventure, negates much of time spent in a place, even one as beautiful as th...

Nature does not provide different degrees of luxury for man to enjoy, levels of danger to suffer or predictable outcomes. Rather, it confronts one with an environment, sometimes benign other times hostile. It’s for man to adapt to the dynamic circumstances as they evolve and change. It is essential to recognize we can’t choose the ideal circumstances; we need to adapt to the conditions. (JCL)   A perspective from the side of the Amphitheatre above the Tugela Falls. All photographs besides this and the following one are taken from the other side of Royal Natal National Park, below. Further above the Tugela Falls. A view of Cathkin Peak from Sugarloaf side. (1 above shows Cathkin from another angle).   It had to happen, we suppose. We remember traveling in Oregon years ago and heading for a hike near Mount Hood. Along the way, we noticed two strapping but dirty looking guys carrying rifles. Their car blocked the road partially. We rode around it and a short while...