Saturday 7th August, 2004
Camel Peak via Tryme Hill, Drakensburg/ Ukhahlamba Mountains,
Republic of South Africa
(Cathedral Peak Area)
Map of the Republic of South Africa
During my recent visit to the Republic of South Africa I was fortunate enough to get the chance to travel up to the Drakensburg (Dragon's teeth) or in Zulu the Ukhahlamba, meaning 'Battlement of Spears'. I much prefer the latter name which is justifiable when you see the photographs below particularly that of Cathedral Peak, the Pyramid and Column peaks. The Drakensburg form a natural border with the free state of Lesotho a state which perforates South Africa. The title 'Kingdom in the sky' is very fitting as Lesotho's lowest point is the highest of any country on Earth. Although I didn't originally plan to walk up any peaks whilst I was there for one night I could not resist when I saw the terrain about our accommodation. We stayed in fabulous chalets (see below) and on the morning I suggested to our guide that I might go off on my own. He seemed fine with the idea and after 2 and three quarter hours I found myself on top of Camel Peak with the vast escarpment of the 'Battlement of Spears' to my west. The whole walk-cum-run was far too short but I did get a taste of these fabulous peaks. The views were spectacular and perhaps the best things; seeing snow in Africa, startling a herd of wild Elland and meeting nobody on the route. All-in-all a fabulous few hours which I'd love to repeat again in the future. I recommend the Drakensburg to anyone - go and see.
Some Drakensburg peaks:
Panorama from our 'huts'
Close up of the above. Left to right: Outer Horn, Inner Horn, The Bell and Cathedral Peak.
Our accommodation - Didama Camp. It was hardly a camp!
Day 1 Walk - an easy scramble to see San rock art in a cave just above the 'Cathedral Hotel'
Doreen Falls passed on our way to a cave containing rock paintings.
San rock art. Bushmen or San painted these various images over a long period. The San were the true South Africans who lived here long before others moved south into the continent.
This frieze depicts San hunting a leopard shown leaping.
The rock art was spectacular - Peter left and wild Elland right. I was lucky enough to see these in the wild on my trip into the hills.
The morning of the second day - The Bell and Cathedral Peak 3005m
Panorama at the same time
Day 2 Walk - A walk in to approach the Lesotho escarpment at close quarters.
Start Point: Didama camp, Cathedral Peak Area, Drakensburg Mountains, RSA (1500m asl)
End Point: as above
Distance: 16 kilometres/ 10 miles
Max Height: 2553m asl Camel Peak
Height Ascended: 1200m
Estimated Time: 4hrs
Weather: 10°C at 2500m (Winter snows remaining in south facing
The start of the walk near our 'camp'
Looking over the scarp edge of Tryme Hill - it was as high up as it looks!
The Rainbow Gorge and Mike's Pass from near the summit of Tryme Hill
The walk in from Tryme Hill. Castle Buttress (3046m) stands against the escarpment wall overshadowing Camel Peak marked by the red triangle.
The route is shown by the dots.
Moving closer and the views get more spectacular.
The last 2km of the ascent. The notch in the escarpment wall to the left and shown in close-up is called Windy Gap - and I thought I was a long way from home!
There will be snow in Africa this winter! The Column 2926m asl.
Pyramid Peak 2914m asl on the right.
At the summit of Camel Peak. The border of Lesotho beckons with a view north to the Column and Pyramid Peak on the right.
By this stage my time was up and I had to return for lunch at 1pm! Behind me was a climb of about 600m and 1.4km to the top of the Organ Pipes Pass (Windy Gap).
On my run back I had to stop to photograph this solitary flower. The scorched earth just gave contrast to the radiance from the yellow and with the peaks behind, it was just pure beauty.
The only bad thing about this day was the lack of time to go further. I felt at home on these tops and the views were spectacular. The rock wall was spectacular and seeing snow on the tops really made my trip to South Africa something special. After my time seeing some poor schools in Durban and a week attached to a deprived secondary school, this trip really revitalised me - memories I shall treasure for ever.
Thanks for reading and sharing part of the experience.
Peter M. Burgess, 2004