Drakensberg South Africa - Day 6
Natal Mountain Hut to West of Rwanga Pass
Distance 20km Climb 100m
Tuesday 15th May 2012
As usual, Fatha and Woody were up first, putting the water on. Closely followed by Lyle and then a little
while later by myself, then Tim, Steely and Itchy.
As we were packing and getting ready to move off, the other walking group came up to the hut and moved passed
us. They had camped at the bottom of the
bank next to the stream, the stream that fell over the Thukela Falls.
Fatha, Lyle, Woody, Itchy and Steely had a look down the side near the falls and said it was some steady drop. Apparently it took some time for a stone that fell off the top to hit the bottom.
Our expedition leader told us that a couple of years ago a climber had
fallen on some ice at the falls so this was a place where you need to be careful.
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| Getting ready for the day. |
When we were
ready Tim navigated us up the path South from the hut away from the falls and
kept us to the high ground as best as he could.
Woody would also be navigating and doing the check navigating. Each day started with a climb, and due to the altitude I found it would take me a few minutes before I would get into my stride. It did not take us long before we saw the
other group, they should have been a long way ahead but they seamed to be criss
crossing the area rather than taking a direct route as we had.
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| The other group passing the hut |
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| Lyle, Tim, Steely, Woody checking the route |
Moving across
the area we passed a few uninhabited huts.
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| Steely moving from one of the uninhabited huts |
Fatha pointed
out to me an eagle sitting on a rock. As
he had a good camera with a zoom lens he tried to sneak up on it and take its
photo. We sat and watched. It flew off just as he got into a good
position to take a photo.
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| Fatha stalking an eagle |
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| Tim, Woody and Lyle moving towards another hut |
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| Woody and Tim |
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| Hitchy, Fatha and Steely at rest |
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| Fatha, Steely and Lyle |
Due to the height we were at although bright and sunny the weather was cool. Which would lead to a high risk of sunburn.
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| Tim, Lyle and Itchy |
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| Lyle lying that he was knacked, what a fibber. It was all so easy for him. |
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| Steely |
We passed near what
was called Crowest Cave at 2970m and a high point of 3110m. Before following a stream to take us to another
stream junction approx ½ km West of Rwanga Pass at 2995m, where we stayed the night.
We had approx 100m climbing and descending and covered
approx 20km walking.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done in South Africa or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
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