The region, the views, the challenges are more than splendid. The major peaks are still sleeping in the clouds.
Every aspect is both exciting and tranquil.
When halfway up the rock, I realized I was being selfish leaving Jenni where she was. Not that she wished to join me but I should not have undertaken the climb. Too much could have gone wrong. Nevertheless, I do feel fortunate to have completed it successfully and thrilled that it went without mishap. Sounds silly going into a situation that's extremely dangerous and completely unforced. Then again, these situations are undertaken regularly by many people pushing themselves not for any material gain, but I think, purely to test themselves and try to meet the challenge. Why do people climb mountains?...because they are there. Another slant: Why do people eat chocolate ice-cream? Because who can resist, especially when it's placed in front of them. The difference, of course, is that it's harder to resist the dessert than the challenge of a climb.
Getting back to the day: The area, somewhere in the Central Berg, Monk's Cowl region, proved once again no matter where one is in the Drakensberg, it's a type of paradise. In fact, for those who long for a different age, a gentler time, an emphasis on a rural location, an appreciation and focus on the land, this is the place. With much less emphasis on city life, anywhere along the Drakensberg is going to touch and affect one in a manner that will surprise even a serious sceptic. We thought, perhaps Jenni less so, an argument could be made that an environment with the flavor of Nepal might be discovered along the Drakensberg. While I'm told my imagination sometimes runs ahead of itself, I could go along with that theory even on a bad hiking day...whatever that may be.
Briefly, when we arrived at the Sphinx, we did not think one could climb it. Then we saw a young couple, Daniel and Jessica, on the peak. That's true leadership because it showed us in principle that it could be done. I argued with Jenni that there was no way to reach it from our position. The route is down the side of the mountain from where we stood and then up to the peak across the way. When we saw the young couple returning, Jenni proved to be correct. Jen, with wisdom, decided it would terrorize her and so she wisely remained a spectator and photographer. In the meantime, another couple joined us at the peak and we went up together. It was good meeting Rachel and Bob plus the young couple. All proved to be delightful. We met up again with the young couple and had a drink together, that is, soft ones at the curio shop.
A certain irony had occurred which Jenni reminded me of, after the climb. A couple of days before, I joined 3 other men in a rescue operation of a young woman who had slipped on a steep slope and cracked her ankle in two places. In a complicated situation, we managed to carry her up, along and down a rocky hill at the Drakensberg Mountain Retreat. Ably organized by Theo, the manager with office support from his wife, Zizi, the rescue went off successfully but for the terrible situation of the injured and stranded young woman. It was a unique experience, filled with struggle and strain and yet a great privilege. I feel extremely fortunate to have been part of the group. (Last picture below).
It's quite a story but once again because of my involvement, I perhaps should not relate the details. Suffice to say, Theo did a wonderful job of positioning his truck in the bush so that our rescue route was reduced considerably. Thereafter, he also took her into Harrismith for urgent medical attention, waited and brought her and Mike, her partner, back to the Retreat.
Jen pointed out that I involved myself in a dangerous situation two days after witnessing the effects of a serious injury. I remain humbled and silent. Phew!...on the silence part.
There goes Jen below the 'toadstools'.
After climbing down the right rock into the crevice, one climbs up the main rock which is to the left. Should you not find purchase, the fall is a long way down on 3 of the sides.
This is another tricky section with nothing to support a fall immediately below.
A triangle forms as we each figure out our own specific route. Rachel takes the 'high' road, Bob adjusts and the third guy stops for prayer.
I am following the two in front. On the way down, we reversed sequence.
How to make friends instantly.
'V' for victory.
Before the climb, trying to understand the route. At first, I did not think it possible. The expression on the face says a lot.
A couple of terrific waterfalls follow.
Some perspective of the region.
Jenni and Jeffrey
Mike stands above where Chanelle lies injured, signaling to the 'rescue unit'.
No comments:
Post a Comment