WILDERNESS……. What does it mean?

DRAKENSBERG

KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

Mountain of the Dragons

South Africa’s mightiest mountain range with its spear-like peaks – reminiscent of the saw-toothed spine of a gigantic dragon.

Where Adventure beckons..........

DRAKENSBERG WILDERNESS PHOTOS © WILLEM PELSER

“I HEARD THE WILDERNESS CALLING IN THE DISTANCE

SO I PACKED MY THINGS AND RAN

FAR AWAY FROM ALL THE TROUBLE

ALONE I TRAVELED ON WITH NOTHING BUT A SHADOW.”

UNKNOWN

WILDERNESS…….

What does it mean?

The term ‘wilderness area’ has been described by WR Bainbridge as follows:

‘A wilderness area is any extensive undeveloped area, where the natural community of life is untrammeled and uninhabited by man, who visits, but does not remain. It should retain an intrinsically wild appearance and character, or be capable of rehabilitation back into this wild state by relatively simple management processes. Its wild character must not be marred by more than minimal evidence of enduring man-made disturbance. The area must be well suited to a primitive or unconfined type of outdoor recreation and must provide the experience of isolation from the outside world, to those who enter. It will be aimed to provide high quality physical and spiritual recreation and inspiration, on a strictly limited basis, for the discriminating few who are prepared to enter by personal endeavor, in a spirit of acceptance of the Wilderness concept. Those who enter must depend on their own efforts and their own competence for survival. An essential attribute of a wilderness area is the provision of solitude, free from all mechanical disturbances.’

What a brilliant definition to describe a Wilderness area!

Scanning a mountain range, the untrained eye might well accept its monumental beauty as something so remote as to be seemingly lifeless. Only when given the chance of a closer look can one marvel at the incredible abundance of activity which starts at the foothills and continues up to the very peaks. Wide, sweeping grasses merge into closely-packed shrubs which grow into thick, natural forests – giving way to towering cliffs and jagged pinnacles.

All around, one senses the primeval origins, mysteries, and myths which made the wilderness one of mankind’s first homes. Entirely free of charge is the thrilling spectacle of the haunting dawn of a new day.

Senses can be exercised as one walks in the wilderness. The more perceptive might detect the rattling of termites among leaf litter, or inhale the aromatic charm of dense bush.

Systematically, and not so slowly, the development of your awareness begins to amaze and delight you. The call of the bird as yet unknown, the clear-cut track of an animal in dried mud, or the peculiar formation of an aloe……all this and so very much more makes the personal discovery of the wilderness a never-ending, completely rewarding process. Moreover, how forcibly are we reminded of our very insignificant role in the greater scheme of things.

The End.

Safe Hiking.