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Category: Drakensburg mountains

15 December 2010

Drakensberg hike – Day 2

Morning Drakensburg from Keith Bush camp KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

After a little on and off drizzle overnight we woke to a fresh morning.

Keith Bush Camp below Drakensburg KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

The Dragons Teeth towered protectively above our camp, first in shadow.

Morning light above Keith Bush camp Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

Then slowly the light turned these rocky teeth to gold.

Clouds over the mountain above Keith Bush camp Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

We waited for the sun to warm the lowlands while the dragon’s breath intermittently flowed over the spires above.

Gaelyn Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

Then hit the return trail, lost in thought, absorbed by the Berg magic.

Creek crossing Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

Crossed a few streams.

Clouds over the mountains Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

And kept an eye on the sky.

Orange & black grasshopper Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

In fact we quickened our pace a bit so saw less of the little things.

Clouds over the Eye of the Needle Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

Yet the mystical quality of the place beckoned many photo stops.

Baboons Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

A baboon family frolicked on rock outcrops on the hillside above with the Patriarch keeping watch.

Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

We continued down the trail under an ominous sky.

Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

And could almost see our destination.

Breakfast Stream Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

Made a quick stop at Breakfast Stream…

John texting Joan with my lunch order from Breakfast Stream Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

…where John sent a text to Joan in camp and asked her to order me a burger and fries for dinner before the food service closed. We expected to be in shortly after that.

Sphinx & John Drakensburg hike KwaZuku-Natal South Africa

Then we saw John’s family hiking a ways below us but as it had started to rain they turned around and we hurried down the trail back to Monks Cowl camp.

Gaelyn Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

Every time I get the chance to place my feet upon the path of beauty into a special natural place I am both filled and emptied. I am humbled by the experience and seek to return. Thank you John for sharing this little piece of your blessed back yard. If it weren’t for bloggers like Joan and Jo I might not have ever made it to South Africa. And there is so much more to be posted about this adventure.

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14 December 2010

Drakensberg hike to Brian Bush Camp – Day 1 of 2

Sunrise from Monks Cowl camp Drakensburg South Africa

After two days of intermittent rain in the Bergs Joan and I woke up to clear skies above. And that’s where I’d be headed for my scheduled overnight Drakensberg hike lead by John (son of Jo from memorable meanders).

Trailhead from Monks Cowl camp Drakensburg KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

A good sign.  About 8.5 miles (14 km) to Brian Bush Camp. (Please correct me if I’m wrong about the distance. It felt like that far.)

Sandstone cliffs Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

We initially walked up through a short stretch of indigenous forest, and then continued into bushveld, thick scrubby trees and bush in dense thickets, and eventually grassland.

 Crystal Falls Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

I took a fall at Crystal Falls stepping onto a slippery rock to take a photo but was OK and saved the new camera from a soaking. Actually drank the stream water, delicious and no problems.

Champagne Castle, Cathkin Peak & the Sterkhorn Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

Champagne Castle 3377m, Cathkin Peak 3148m & the Sterkhorn 2973m

A little further past the Sphinx the path winds steeply up the rest of the Little Berg and onto the plateau.

Bugs, butterflies and lizards Drakensberg Mountains South Africa

Once on the plateau we stopped at Breakfast Stream for a snack and were entertained by a couple of sun lizards (top right).

Eye of the Needle Drakensburg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

The eye of the needle

The path lead us slightly uphill and down following the gentle contour of this lush plateau.

Flowers Drakensberg Mountains South Africa

Even during fall there were a few flowers and we grazed along  the way on wild berries.

The Sphinx & valley view Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

The mountains are capped by a layer of basalt approximately 1,400 meters thick, with sandstone lower down, resulting in a combination of steep-sided blocks and pinnacles.

Basalt with zeolites Drakensberg Mountains South Africa

Many of the primary minerals within the basalts have been altered to form zeolites, found in cavities in basalt. Looked like pale blue banded agate to me.

Gaelyn at Blind Man's Corner Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

Day hiking is not recommended beyond Blinds man corner…

Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

…a great place to stop for lunch and enjoy the views.

Dragons Teeth & Eye of the needle Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

As we continued towards the Dragons Teeth it seemed the breath of the dragon began to roll in.

Stream Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa 

Suddenly a monster storm rolled over us with loud and energetic thunder and lightning dropping buckets of water until we were soaked.

Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

Just as quickly, the storm moved on and the earth smelled freshly washed.

 Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

Soon after the squall passed we turned a corner and saw Monks Cowl towering above Brian Bush Camp.

 Bush Camp Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

And in only a bit farther–seemed like forever at that point–John had camp set up and hot water on for tea and cocoa. He’s a great guy and guide. We basically dried fast after our drenching yet as the sun disappeared I was glad for dry poly and warm supper. John walked down to the stream and took a dip before retiring but not me. I like hot water down my back, which would happen the next day after our hike back.

(Update: my apologies, as the name of the camp is actually Keith Bush camp.)

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13 May 2010

Sun setting on the Drakensburg Mountains South Africa

Mountain view from Monks Cowl camp Drakensburg KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

Mountains tend to make their own weather. And during my stay in the Drakensburg Mountains I saw these gorgeous green mountains turn from golden sun lit to drenched in life giving rain and back within about five minutes.

Sunset from Monks Cowl camp Drakensburg KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

These shots were taken about 30 minutes apart from Monks Cowl camp. Then it rained all night.

The next day I went hiking into the Drakensburgs with the son of Jo from memorable meanders.

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Hi, I’m Gaelyn, the Geogypsy

I retired after 29 summer seasons as a Park Ranger, traveling solo for 40+ years. My passions include travel, connecting to nature, photography, and sharing stories.

I started exploring US National Parks in 1977 and 20 years later became a seasonal Park Ranger.  I’ve lived full-time in a RV for 30 years working summers and playing winters.  I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow old, other than grow up.

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