Quathlamba
“A mass of Spears. Named thus by the Zulu warriors before the white man came. Today called the Drakensberg, Mountains of the Dragon, a name given by the Voortrekkers. Evocative names, both equally applicable to South Africa’s mightiest mountain range with its spear-like peaks – reminiscent of the saw-toothed spine of a gigantic dragon.”
This blog is all about the Drakensberg Mountains and its Wilderness area, South Africa. I have lost my heart and soul to this area and every single time I hike these mountains, I stand in awe all over again at this magnificent beauty.
"How often in the course of our travels through Kwazulu-Natal do we stop and gaze at the beauty of a distant range of mountains? The Drakensberg stands as a monument to one of the greatest cataclysms the Earth has experienced. As you approach the mountains, you realize why early Zulus called it "Quathlamba", meaning “Barrier of Up-pointed Spears". A cradle of rivers. Listen to the streams as they gurgle from their cradles and you will hear the story of the mountains. You will hear fascinating tales if only you listen! Lie next to a stream and listen to the song of the mountains. The smiling faces of the flowers, dancing in the wind. Venture into the remote valleys or stand on a peak at sunrise or sunset, after snow has fallen, and you will hear a song that you will never forget - the Song of the High Mountain". (DA Dodds)
Hiking adventures, hiking gear reviews, day walks, accommodation, books, articles and photos, all related to these magnificent mountains will feature here.
Should you want to accompany me on a hike or need some information or advice, please make contact with me. I hope you enjoy the articles.
Please visit the archive for some more interesting stories, photos and reviews.
Available in the Archive
(Do read it!)
1) Injasuthi to Lotheni
- Epic 6 Day Hike
2) Review: Hi-Tec
Altitude Pro RGS Hiking Boots
3) Drakensberg
Wilderness Hiking - 14 Day Hiking trip - Lotheni Reserve (Part 3)
4) Lotheni - 14 Day
Hiking Trip (Part 2)
5) Lotheni - 14 Day
Hiking Trip (Part 3)
6) The Bushmen of the
Drakensberg
7) Thunderstorms in the
Drakensberg Mountains
8) Before setting out on a hike………..
9) Cathkin Peak – Drakensberg
10) Why backpack and
multi-day hiking
11) Safety in the
Drakensberg
12) In the Shadow of
Cathedral Peak
13) Injasuthi – ‘well
fed dog’
14) Lotheni Reserve
15) Garmin eTrex 10
& 20 Specs and Review
16) The birth of the
Drakensberg – The Ancient Rocks
17) Drakensberg
Mountains – Rock Art
18) Drakensberg
Mountain Reserve Accommodation
19)
Drakensberg – Mkhomazi Area – Hikers Paradise
20)
Drakensberg – Hiking Kamberg – Highmoor - Kamberg, Exploring the Mooi
River Valleys
21)
Chelmsford Nature Reserve
22)
Bushmen Art – Deep in a Mooi River Valley
23)
Missing in the Drakensberg Mountains – Dragon’s Wrath
24)
Hiking Food and Clothes
25)
Wilderness Hiking Gear
26)
Thendele Walks – Royal Natal Reserve
27) Mhkomazi Wilderness, Drakensberg – 7 Day
hike – A photo journey
Photos please make contact with the author, Willem Pelser.
“THE HEART OF SURVIVAL ISN’T
ABOUT KNOWLEDGE; IT’S ABOUT EMBRACING FAILURE, MAKING MISTAKES, AND NEVER
GIVING UP…..”
BEAR GRYLLS
Mhkomazi Wilderness, Drakensberg – 7 Day
hike – A photo journey
During October 2015 I decided to explore the
wild Mhkomazi wilderness area where no-one goes. It is a vast area and well
worth exploration. My route over a 7 day period was planned off-map and would
take me through a huge unexplored area.
The area
that I hiked and explored lies roughly between Kamberg, the Mhkomazi Cyprus
Cave area, McKenzie Cave area, Lotheni Township, Lotheni Reserve, Sheba’s
Breasts and Highmoor. It is a really vast area with so much to offer the
explorer.
My journey
started from the Kamberg office, up a valley and from there into the Wilderness
for 7 days. All that I can say is that I had a truly spectacular time and
witnessed some beautiful areas. Here follows a Photo Journey.
Day One
From Kamberg Office,
up a valley towards Sinclair’s Cave
Day Two
From Sinclair’s Cave
area to Cyprus Cave, on to the Lost Valley
Day Three
Through the lost
Valley, back in the direction of Cyprus Cave, sleep on the Plato
Day Four
Hike the Plato, down
the valleys to the Park Border at Lotheni Township
Day Five
From the Lotheni
Township Area, up the Mountains to Dog’s Valley
Day Six
From Dog’s Valley, up
the Mountains to the Kamberg Valleys
Very bad
weather with consistent rain persisted over a 48 hour period with visibility
reduced to about 10 meters. I was therefore unable to use the camera on this
day.
Day Seven
Down the beautiful
Kamberg Valleys, follow the Rivers, back to Kamberg
It was an
epic, beautiful and most enjoyable journey. Go see for yourself!
Safe Hiking.
The End.
Willem
Pelser – The Mountain Man
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