Steady climb until we hit the wall and then it becomes vertical.
Until Jen approaches the wall or gap.
One of the views from the plateau.
On the way down.
Waiting for...
The always wonderful sights of the mountains in the background as we balance on the edge.
Here she comes again...pretty brave.
We find a new trail to add to the existing.
Well, that hit an abrupt halt.
More than ghost mountains.
Black Lake comes into view. Until we saw it, we never realized it existed.
The last few blogs have shown views of Cathkin Peak from the Central Drakensberg. This is taken in the Northern region.
'A horse, a horse, my mountain for a horse. How did it get up there?' "You really need that answered?"
A view of an earlier hike: Camel Hump.
The distinctive Sentinel sits a long way behind Sugarloaf.
Until Jen approaches the wall or gap.
One of the views from the plateau.
On the way down.
Waiting for...
The always wonderful sights of the mountains in the background as we balance on the edge.
Here she comes again...pretty brave.
We find a new trail to add to the existing.
Well, that hit an abrupt halt.
More than ghost mountains.
Black Lake comes into view. Until we saw it, we never realized it existed.
The last few blogs have shown views of Cathkin Peak from the Central Drakensberg. This is taken in the Northern region.
'A horse, a horse, my mountain for a horse. How did it get up there?' "You really need that answered?"
A view of an earlier hike: Camel Hump.
The distinctive Sentinel sits a long way behind Sugarloaf.
What a person makes of this scene, depends on one's perspective.
Simon & Garfunkel were sitting on a railway station, ticket for a destination, homeward bound. Instead, we're sitting on a bus, an airbus-350, above the Atlantic, ticket for a destination, supposedly homeward bound, a leg of 16.5 hours. Rather than whine of the tedious length of the trip, one should marvel at the brilliance of keeping a machine airborne for so many hours carrying an enormous weight further exacerbated by extra 'mielie pap' consumed in Africa de Sud.
I would say that one our weaknesses, humans in general, is that we lose perspective. Whether it be the wonders of the natural world, the incredible technology that brings with it (used positively) comforts and ease of living. Think electricity, water, sewage disposal, transport, need we go further, and yet our focus is often on the trivial. Our lives become one of misery for we lack a new outfit, have a sore throat, missing a party, or have to run an errand. Heck, we are a spoiled lot.
The more we walk the veld, the more we admire the pioneers who crossed vast tracts of raw land on foot, in wagons and on horseback.
Today we get bored in luxury vehicles travelling along fine freeways, air conditioned, music playing, television viewed from the back seats and phones and internet available almost everywhere. Feeling hungry, we don't have to stalk an animal, kill it, skin and cook it. Rather, stop at the next exit or the restaurants abounding the freeways and order a hot meal and drinks. Wow! We have lost a spirit of adventure, a hardiness, linkage to our ancestors. What's the point of this? I don't know but what I do feel is an admiration and respect for the sheer bravery, determination and ability of the pioneers as they faced incredible hardships. I like the description of sheer 'guts' even better. Makes me consider how far down the totem pole I sit.
Time to stand, cease whining and try winning.
Jen returning to the plateau spots an aberration or something...
Cheers,
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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