LAZAROW WORLD HIKE-ABOUT

San Ramon: At first, I thought it needed explanation. Not true. Top Left: "You're kidding me. After hiking 4 miles from the base below, you still want to climb up there...and snakes...?" The stance revealed it all. The rest is self-explanatory, too. (Not part of the formal trail either).

'LAZAROW WORLD HIKE-ABOUT: WHAT IN THE WORLD IS HIKE-ABOUT?'

Hike-about is an adventure that commenced June 2010. After storing our household movables, ridding ourselves of a house but retaining our 'home' together, we set off with the purpose of hiking in different parts of the world, not forgetting the home country, the USA.

Our primary focus is hiking to mountain peaks but any challenging hike will do just fine. Extended stays enable us to enjoy and experience living in various places amongst differing cultures. Hike-about has evolved into a way of life. It's also a process of discovery, both the world and ourselves.

We work and live 'on the road' but return to the city in which our grandchildren reside, every couple of months. This provides us the wonderful opportunity to be with them as well as a child or two, even three and of course, friends.

By the end of 2023, the blog contained over 1,560 hikes (less than that actually undertaken), each a set of pictures with stories and anecdotes from the trails. An index to the right allows the viewer to identify earlier experiences.

Finally, we are often asked about the journey's end.
O
ur reply, as accurate as we can state, is: "When we are either forced to cease through health issues or the enjoyment level no longer reaches our aspirations, we will hang up the boots."

"A Life Experience As No Other: Dare to Seize the Day Together", published by Fulton Books, depicts our life on the road and mountains until the beginning of 2017. It has developed 'exponentially' since then.

Jenni and Jeffrey Lazarow

Whereas we continue to update the blog regularly, we circulate email notifications infrequently.

Thursday, May 12, 2022

54.16 KwaZulu-Natal: The second Camel Hump: Well, not the hump so much as the hike was a repeat but from another direction.

Smoke from creating fire-breaks meets clouds and they intermingle.
The final stage before the near vertical climb.
Is there time for a quick view of the Amphitheatre? It was once said there are no stupid questions...maybe, this is a first.

We returned to Ledges Chalets for a 3rd time. It's nearly embarrassing but frankly, it's a great place with access to many stunning hikes, constant views that excite a person and some wonderful people. It's close to Royal Natal National Park. Funnily enough, we did not have an opportunity to venture over to the park. I'm pleased it was not me who said we should go for a fourth stay--maybe then we'll reach Royal Natal. Instead, we headed for Little Switzerland, spent a few days there and once again, could not find our way to the park. It was not a directional issue for a change. 

  At Ledges, we met Jessica, one of the owners. After some conversation, we determined she went to school where our children would have followed had we remained in South Africa. She attended Wendywood High School—Gavin and Natalie were at the elementary institution. The interesting and coincidental part is that the headmaster was none other than Ben Brooks. I have often said and even written, that Mr. Brooks, my English teacher for a few years at high school and rugby coach for 4, had an extremely positive effect upon me. Other than my Dad, he had the next level of influence over me. While this may not be apparent to anyone else, I shall be forever grateful to my English teacher and rugby master. Thank you, Sir. 

Looking quite chipper considering what lies ahead.
Apparently, she made it. Now it's a little of a smug look.
Not too bad a view of the Amphitheatre. Actually, there are no less than good views. I would think we have witnessed it from more than 30 positions. Ronnie Diamond had a smart comment to add when we had reached 15. I'd hate to hear it now...maybe, we would.
A view of Sugarloaf from our top, quite a tough experience, also undertaken twice. We were interrupted when we came across a gang of poachers (earlier blog). The wall below the plateau on which Sugarloaf rests, provides an indication of an aspect of the climb.
The land is beautiful—even the fire is attractive...from a distance.
In some circles, this is not considered showing-off. We have yet to identify those 'circles'.
Admittedly, this is called slacking off.
A view of the other side from Camel Hump peak.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

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