Drakensberg Wilderness Hiking South Africa - Mountain of the Dragons - Where Adventure beckons.....: September 2016

Tuesday, 20 September 2016

HIKING EMERGENCIES ON THE TRIAL

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

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.

“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.

Please note that all photos on this blog are copyright protected. If you would like to obtain

Photos please make contact with the author, Willem Pelser.

“HIKING THE WILDERNESS IS NOT ABOUT SURVIVAL. RATHER IT IS BEING EMBRACED BY MOTHER NATURE, THE ACCEPTANCE OF A WORLD RADICALLY DIFFERENT THAN CIVILIZATION”

HIKING EMERGENCIES ON THE TRIAL

This is not a substitute for a proper first aid course or mountain and wilderness survival training. Statistically, besides common blisters, burns, insect bites, scratches and sprains, most people will never be affected by altitude sickness, hypo- or hyperthermia, malaria or bilharzia. However, you will not be affected only if you are aware of how to avoid the dangers.

Analysis of survival cases has proved that mental stress associated with emergencies – especially with being lost and alone – produces fear and anxiety. In turn, these psychological stresses detrimentally affect judgment and attitudes. The prepared hiker can certainly curb, if not eliminate such stresses.

Obtain adequate information about your route by reading guides and relevant hiking pamphlets thoroughly.

Each member of the group should carry a map. If you don’t have enough to go around, make more copies.

Know how to use your equipment. Be familiar with the use of a compass, reading maps, lighting a camp stove, setting-up a tent, fixing a broken backpack frame, preparing foods, using a first aid kit, treating snake bites and purifying water. It is the responsibility of the hiker to prepare himself with such knowledge before setting off.

Build into your schedule ample time between overnight points. Taking into consideration stops en route for rest, nature study, food and water, the hiker should average at least 2 to 3 km an hour. Remember, however, that more time will be needed for steep climbs.

Discuss plans of action for all foreseeable emergencies with members of the party. Make sure that each member carries his own water, snacks, emergency rations and first aid kit.

In an emergency, stop immediately. Review the situation thoroughly, consider possible solutions by analyzing the weather, terrain, available resources and time of day, and only then plan a course of action which best suit your available energy, health and resources. Above all, stay calm and stay together.

Getting lost

If you lose your way on a trail, retrace your route, returning to some clear indication of the path. Make certain that you have not overlooked a change in direction. If you find yourself completely lost, stay put. Usually if the hiker does not wander aimlessly, he will not be far from the trail. Signal for help audibly and visually.

Dense smoke, produced by green leaves or grass in a fire, will generally be seen from far away. Don’t start a veld fire! If you have not wandered far from the trail, there is a good chance of other hikers or officials responding. Air searches can be assisted by placing a large, bright object, such as your space blanket, in a conspicuous place.

Air, Water, Shelter and Food

These are essentials for survival. You can live for three weeks or more without food, three days without water, three hours without protection in hostile weather and 3 to 5 minutes without air. It is, therefore imperative that the hiker is familiar with techniques to provide these essentials if faced with a survival situation.

Water

If you become lost without sufficient water, conserve body fluids by moving only in the cool of day, taking as little as possible and keeping your mouth closed.

Study the immediate terrain, searching for clues to water sources, such as dense reeds or thickly marked, converging game trails. Large movements of animals, including birds, during sunrise and sunset usually indicate the directions in which water can be found. Dig beneath the surface of dry riverbeds, especially near the base of big rocks and cliffs where an abnormal amount of vegetation is growing, or at the base of large sand dunes on the shady or steep sides.

Many of the water securing techniques of the Bushmen can teach modern man how to survive. For example, if you find water by digging, preserve the hole with a bark lining and bury a grass bundle with two reeds projecting. The bundle acts as a sieve, and the reeds act as a straw. Dew or moisture from rocks and plants can be gathered, using a cloth to gently mop up moisture and then wringing it into a container. During the rainy season, collect water by digging a hole and lining it with a groundsheet or poncho.

The probabilities of having to resort to the extremes described above in order to find water while hiking is very slight. However, the possibility that water on the trail is contaminated with bacteria or disease-causing viruses is increasing. All water not originating from high mountain areas should be sterilized by boiling for at least 3 minutes, by adding water purification tablets; or by using one of the lightweight filters on the market: be sure to follow the instructions carefully. The use of tincture of iodine is one of the simplest, safest, most rapid and effective methods of water sterilization. It is superior to other common chemicals used to sterilize water.

Shelter

When building a shelter, avoid expending excess energy. A cave or natural depression is far superior to a complicated wooden structure. Your shelter must minimize body heat loss and maximize body protection. Choose an area protected from the wind. Avoid valleys, streambeds or areas close to rivers. Avoid camping near anthills as snakes are often prevalent there. Also avoid fig trees, as the figs are often infested with flies and insects teem around them. Urine on paths leading into your campsite will help to discourage wildlife visitors.

Food

In an emergency, food is your least important worry and excess energy should not be expended searching for edible plants and animals. Many plants in southern africa are toxic and should not be eaten unless you are absolutely sure of their identification and edibility.

The End.

Safe Hiking.

References and Acknowledgements

Book - “Walks & Trails in Southern Africa” – J Levy

Photos - Willem Pelser

Compiled by - W Pelser

Thursday, 15 September 2016

HIKING BOOTS

Quathlamba

Panorama April 1966

“AVOIDING DANGER IS NO SAFER IN THE LONG RUN THAN OUTRIGHT EXPOSURE. LIFE IS EITHER A DARING ADVENTURE OR NOTHING”

HELEN KETLER

HIKING BOOTS

Your footwear is probably the most important piece of kit you will buy before you head for the Wilderness. As with all hiking equipment, there is a huge range available to suit most budgets and the various terrains and conditions you are going to be out in. Choose the right boots for the right walk and you will find that you can spend more time on your navigation and admiring the views than worrying about blisters, sore feet and slippery soles.

Fit

No boot is worth having if it does not fit properly. The inside of a boot should be around 13-15mm longer than the length of your foot.

Support

A good shop will have an uneven test bed of wood or rocks for you to walk on. Do this and see if you can feel the terrain through your boots – if you can, you are looking at sore feet at the end of the day.

Waterproofness

Broadly speaking, lots of stitching on a boot means lots of holes for water to get through, even though the best and most expensive three-season footwear comes with waterproof linings like Gore-Tex. Whether you want or need a lining on leather boots is a personal choice: with one, you get drier feet for the lifetime of the lining (not the lifetime of the boot) but also hotter and more humid walking. Some leather boots have cheaper unlined cousins that, if well and regularly waxed, are usually fine for all but the most prolonged boggy conditions. They also tend to be less sweaty and thus more comfortable in summer. All leather boots need regular treatment with wax (covering the stitching) to ensure a reasonable level of water-resistance.

Upper

Thickness of the upper determines how much protection your foot can expect on rough terrain. To test it, squeeze the sides of the boot from above, comparing several models to get a feel for the different thicknesses. The more sturdy the upper, the better the protection; and thick uppers also help keep the boot well shaped for longer and offer more support to your foot. The down side is that they weigh and cost more. Conversely, thin uppers might be better if you plan on mostly keeping to wilderness paths. Although leather is still the most popular material, some boots use lightweight synthetic alternatives and winter boots may have extra insulation.

Ankle cuff

Ensure the ankle cuff is comfortable enough to walk in, particularly at the back of the heel where rubbing can be a problem. It should also rise high enough up the ankle to protect the foot against knocks and grazes from stray boulders and to prevent water getting in when stepping in puddles.

Footbed

Pull out the footbed and compare it to other boots: you will find they offer different levels of cushioning. Air vents help minimize sweat and some of the better versions will be contoured to offer improved support, particularly under the arch. Make sure the footbed fits the boot well, as creases and wrinkles mean blistering walks of entirely the wrong kind.

Tongue

A padded tongue is vital for a comfortable boot. Also look for a ‘bellows’ design that bridges the gap between tongue and upper to stop water or snow creeping in.

Cushioning

Find a hard surface and thump your heel down to get an idea of how much cushioning the boot offers. Cushioning is often mad of ethyl vinyl acetate or polyurethane, or a mix of soft rubbers, it often varies across the sole unit, so be sure to stamp your whole foot on the hard surface, too. More cushioning is best for Wilderness hiking and winter work; less will give you better sensitivity for climbing. The best boots manage a good balance between the two.

Midsole

The midsole is the hidden part of the boot between the outsole and footbed that determines a boot’s stiffness. To asses it, grab the toe and heel and bend them together. Next, twist the toe while holding the heel. You should now have a good idea of how stiff the boot is – stiff is best for mountains and rocky ground; giving lots of support to feet tiring on a long day, whereas soft is better kept to woodland and valley paths. Four-season boots should be very stiff so that crampons stay fitted to the boot, and to enable the wearer to kick steps in hard snow.

Rubber rand

Look for a rubber rand between the sole and upper for greater durability. For rocky ground, one that runs right around the boot is perfect.

Toe box

To see how much protection you can expect from the toe box, press it with your thumb from the top, end and sides. Mentally replace your thumbs with rocks and you’ll gauge how battered your feet will get on rough ground. The stronger the toe box, the better the boots will perform on rough terrain, so if you are looking for a four-season boot, make sure there is plenty of internal stiffening around the toe.

Outsole

The all-important traction bit. Deep lugs on the outsole give better grip and longer walking life. Compare the thickness of a pencil to the depth of the grooves on the sole – you want them to be deeper than the pencil for a useful level of traction ad longevity. To prevent clogging, the lugs should be the thickness of two pencils apart. To keep you moving over snow, rocks or mud, modern rubber compounds have been developed that stick reasonable well in the wet without wearing out too quickly. Shallow threads wear down quickly especially when worn on rocky ground. Deep threads should cut through the snow and mud without problems, but some clog easily.

The End.

Safe Hiking.

References and Acknowledgements

From the book – The Ultimate Hiking Skills Manual – Trail D&C

Photos – Willem Pelser

Compiled by Willem Pelser

Tuesday, 6 September 2016

WHAT TO EAT WHEN MULTI-DAY HIKING

Quathlamba

Panorama April 1966

“AVOIDING DANGER IS NO SAFER IN THE LONG RUN THAN OUTRIGHT EXPOSURE. LIFE IS EITHER A DARING ADVENTURE OR NOTHING”

HELEN KETLER

WHAT TO EAT WHEN MULTI-DAY HIKING

How to stay energized and hydrated throughout a long day in the Wilderness is down to more than personal taste. With a little thought you can ensure your body is firing up ready for the strains you are about to put on it.

It is tempting to start the day with just a cup tea and a cereal bar, but overnight, your body will have used up much of its glycogen store (that’s your primary energy source) so, unless you replenish it properly, you’ll run out of energy by mid-morning.

Eat a balanced breakfast of whole cereal, juice and meat that’s not too fatty. This will supply a healthy dose of carbohydrates, which your body breaks down into glucose and stores in your muscles as glycogen, providing a readily available source of energy. It also provides fibre, which delays the uptake of sugar into the blood so you’ll get a sustained energy boost rather than an instant surge. Protein sources such as nuts and eggs will supply amino acids to rebuild and repair your body during periods of hard exercise.

For normal daily walks, if you are packing lunch, make up sandwich rolls with whole-meal bread. Mashed banana and honey is an excellent filling. Take a couple of extra pieces of fruit too and make sure you have something palatable to drink. A lunch like this will deliver a second super-hit of carbohydrates to provide further sustained energy. The fibre in the bread will help to control the sugar-rush from the chocolate you’re likely to snack on later, too. In addition to carbohydrates, the fruit contains valuable liquid: so this’ll help keep you hydrated (an orange is 86 per cent water and surprisingly even the humble banana scores an impressive 71 per cent.

For a longer term wilderness plan, base your food diet on these staples, then add a little of whatever else you fancy. All will survive a few days in your pack and offer a good energy source – although a few earn their place for their taste.

Don’t underestimate how much energy you’ll need: walking in mountainous terrain uses two and a half times the calories of walking over level ground.

Where you get that energy from is important too. Aim to get the bulk from carbohydrates: your diet should consist of 60 per cent carbs, 20 percent protein and 20 percent fat. This high percentage of carbohydrates will keep your body fuelled with readily available energy – and by choosing starchy as oppose to sugary carbohydrates, you’ll get a steady stream of energy, rather than an instant high followed by a draining low.

Fat provides energy too, but it takes far longer to digest, and actually slows the absorption of the carbs, so keep the high-fat foods for the end of the day, rather than while you’re walking. And the protein is essential for muscle repair, to ensure you’re fit for the following day.

Good Foods

Quick cook pasta – easiest dinner to prepare and goes with anything.

Dried sliced onions – instant meal upgrade.

Tomato puree – add taste.

Salami sticks – decent 20 per cent protein.

Whole-meal pitta bread – packable, stackable staple.

Rice cakes – 80 percent carbohydrates providing a serious energy boost.

Cheese spread – purely taste purposes.

Oatcakes – provide sustained energy, good for lunch.

Muesli – Mountain breakfast of choice. Will get your day of to an energetic start.

Beef jerky – Perfect for repairing your battered body overnight.

Peanut Butter - for its protein content. Use in the evening for maximum benefit.

Dates – pack the highest energy boost of all fruits.

Raisins – for an instant pick-me-up. Use as a surge of energy when required for that last stretch to the top.

Dried fruits – sustained energy benefits.

Cereal bars – transportable tanks of energy.

Bananas – the Superman of foods.

Nuts – good for evening refueling and they also provide magnesium, which helps to guard against muscle-burn from lactic acid production.

Pocket Fuel

Flagging on the hills? The fastest way to beat fatigue, boost your blood sugar levels and top up your muscle glycogen store is to eat carbohydrates – as soon as possible. But although you might think sugary foods will release their carbohydrates into your system faster than starchy ones, it’s not quite that simple.

In fact, the glucose from some starchy foods is absorbed more quickly than others – for instance, the starch in white bread is digested more quickly than the starch in baked beans. Also, sugars that occur naturally in fresh and dried fruits are absorbed more slowly than the highly processed starches used as thickeners in many soups and pasta sauces.

Such differences in the speed of sugar absorption are measured and rated according to the glycaemic index (GI). Foods with a high GI produce a rapid rise in blood glucose: foods with a low GI are much slower.

So, when you’re walking across the hills, it’s best to eat foods with a high GI as your body can make good use of the energy. However, if you load up on high GI foods such as chocolate, cakes and biscuits when you’re just sitting around, your blood sugar and insulin levels will rocket, then rapidly fall. This is known as the ‘rebound effect’ which can make you feel lethargic.

The glycaemic index should only be used as a guide since the values refer to single foods. In practice we eat a mixture of foods. Other food components – fibre, fat and protein – interact with carbohydrates and tend to slow down its digestion and absorption.