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.”
Panorama April 1966
“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.
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Photos please make contact with the author, Willem Pelser.
“THE PROPER FUNCTION OF MAN IS TO LIVE,
NOT EXIST”
I SHALL NOT WASTE MY DAYS IN TRYING TO PROLONG THEM,
I SHALL USE MY TIME”
JACK LONDEN
DRAKENSBERG HIKING MDEDELELO
(CATHKIN PEAK) WILDERNESS
The Cathkin Range:
Cathkin Peak (on the left) also known as Mdedelelo
This 20 000 ha wilderness area takes its name from the Zulu name for
Cathkin Peak. The area is characterized by deep valleys and imposing peaks with
familiar landmarks such as Champagne Castle, Gatberg and Dragon’s Back – an
impressive range of free-standing block-shaped peaks. A contour path links the
wilderness areas in the north with Ndedema Gorge with its wealth of rock
paintings, as well as Cathedral Peak , and in the south with Giant’s Castle
Reserve.
Area Description
One of the most popular routes onto the Little Berg from Monk’s
Cowl reserve is via the Sphinx and Verkykerskop. This is the usual route onto
the contour path and hence also to the higher peaks and passes.
Dominating the scenery is
Cathkin Peak (3 149m), from which the area derives its Zulu name, Mdedelelo.
The name is translated as “make room for him” and refers to the prominent
position of Cathkin which seemingly pushed the other peaks aside to make room
for itself.
To the north of Cathkin Peak is another
well-known peak, Sterkhorn (2 973m), also kow as Mount Memory. Further north is
The Tower (2 670m) and the Amphlett(2 620m). Although Champagne Castle (3 377m)
can lay claim to being the second highest peak in South Africa, it is almost
completely obscured by Cathkin Peak when approached from this direction.
The contour path is reached about 5,5 km
from Monk’s Cowl camp and provides access to either the south-eastern parts of
Mdedelelo or the north-western parts of the wilderness area. Construction of
the contour path to link Cathkin and Cathedral Peak areas began in 1937 under
the guidance of J van Heyningen, the forester-in-charge of Monk’s Cowl at the
time. The path was subsequently extended.
By following the path to the left you can backpack to Injasuthi,
some 21 km to the south-east. The right-hand route leads to Ndedema Gorge and
further afield to the Organ Pipes and to just below Cathedral Peak. Hlatikulu
Neck is reached after 2,5 km and here you can turn right if you wish to explore
the north-eastern part of Mdedeleo. This area offers several options, including
the Mhlwazini River Valley, the Valley of the Pools in the Nkwazi River and
Eland Cave which has the largest number of paintings of in cave in the
Drakensberg.
The cave is not
indicated on the map and you will have to obtain directions from the office.
The cave takes its name from the group of eland near the centre of the frieze
which contains more than 1 600 individual paintings. A large eland, meassuring
nearly I m in length, was superimposed on human figures, as well as a roan – an
animal rarely portrayed in rock paintings. Other paintings include bushpig,
running human figures, two figures with the appearance of winged buck and what
is thought to be a beehive with bees.
Should you continue along
the contour path, the turn-off to Gray’s Pass is reached on your left, 1,5 km
further on. This path brings you to Keith Bush Camp, a beautiful campsite
surrounded by cliffs on three sides at the head of the Mhlawazini River, about
4 km beyond the turn-off. Between Monk’s Cowl office and Keith Bush Camp, a
distance of approximately 13.5 km, you will gain some 870 m in altitude and,
depending on your physical condition, about six to seven and a half hours will
be required.
Gray’s Pass is the most popular route to
the escarpment in the area and, although it is only 2,5 km long, you will gain
roughly 700 m in altitude. The ascent starts a short distance above the camp
and as you gain height you will have your first uninterrupted view of Monk’s
Cowl (3 234 m). It is one of the most challenging peaks in the Drakensberg with
some G – grade rock climbs and it was not until 1942 that it was suuccessfully
scaled.
Nkosazana Cave near the top of
the pass is a good place to spend the night on the escarpment. It is situated
next to a perrennial stream which sometimes flows through the cave in summer,
limiting accommodation to about four people. During winter the cave can
accommodate up to ten people, but could be iced up after heavy snowfalls.
From the top of the pass
it is an easy walk of about 3 km to Champagne Castle (3 377 m). You can either
return via Gry’s Pass, or descent along Sip’s Prow Pass, south of Champagne
Castle. The descent immediately soth of Champagne Castle is extremely dangerous
and should not be used under any circumstances. Continue heading south instead
for about 1 km where the easier descent of about 4,5 km to the contour path
commences.
Another backpacking option
is to follow the contour path to Ndedema Gorge, which is about 28 km from
Monk’s Cowl office. An impressive sight along this route is Gatberg – an
enormous hole through its base. The Zulu name of this unusual formation,
Intunja, is translated as “the eye of the needle” and “the hole in the mountain
through which the shephards can creep”.
The gaping hole through the basalt has a diameter of about 9 m.
Also conspicuous is the Dragon’s Back, a spur of free-standing, block-shaped
peaks extending from the escarpment and Eastman’s Peak and Ridge.
Although a contour path is theoretically followed,
this is a strenuous walk which takes you through the Mhlawazini and Nkosazana
river valleys with long downhills followed by steep ascents. Some 400 m in
altitude are lost over the last 4 km to Ndedema Gorge.
The End.
Safe Hiking
Willem Pelser – The
Mountain Man
References and Acknowledgements
Photos –Willem Pelser
Compiled by - W Pelser
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