SERPENT SPIRES - THE BELL - DRAKENSBERG

 

“FORTUNE FAVORS THE BRAVE, AND NEVER HELPS A MAN WHO DOES NOT HELP HIMSELF.”

PT BARNUM

SERPENT SPIRES

THE BELL

DRAKENSBERG

 

Immediately southwest of Cathedral Peak, forming the next dominant structure on the Cathedral Peak ridge, stands the petit summit of the Bell.

Bell from the Outer Horn

   This gem of a peak perches on steep slopes that fall dramatically away north and south into deep and wild mountainous ravines. From many angles, whether viewed from the iNtonyelana Valley in the north, the Mlambonja area to the south, or indeed from above when climbing on any of her surrounding companions, this symmetrical peak is one of the most aesthetically beautiful mountains to gaze upon in the entire Drakensberg mountain range.

   At only 2 930 meters high, Bell may be likened to the Arkenstone of the Lonely Mountain. The Arkenstone was the gem that dwarves considered the ‘heart of the mountain’ and the treasure the Hobbit could not resist thieving. (Taken from JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit.)

  

   With the imposing Outer Horn towering up on one side, and Cathedral Peak standing guard on the other, it is as if the ‘Dragon’ surrounds the Bell as it would a valuable and treasured possession, the jewel of its haunt.

   Although the summits that surround Bell surpasses it both in size and height, forbidding as they may seem, access to their highest points present lesser challenges to the mountaineer than their smaller counterpart. The obstacles that need to be overcome in ascending the Bell are not size and height, but rather line and difficulty.

  

On the steep crags of the Bell

    Bell has two major cliff structures of similar height, separated roughly by a steeply angled grass slope. The first precipice, forming the base of the peak, is sheer and brad and can be missed by scrambling up mixed grass and rock from the neck between the peak and Cathedral Peak. Climbing has subsequently focused on the higher face, which is more fragmented, with small grass ledges breaking the final obstacles to the summit. Two popular climbs ascend the southern faces, while a longer and more challenging route ascends on the northern side.

    Climbers Hans and Else Wongtschowski, affectionately known to most as Hans and Else Wong, were the first to climb the Bell in 1944. Early climbers had wondered if the peak was climbable, one person commenting, ‘it is quite out of the question as a climbing proposition.’ But as Whymper had discovered with Matterhorn’s east face in 1865, THE Bell’s seemingly impossible steep slopes were in fact deceptive when seen from a distance, and in the end the peak proved less of a challenge than predicted.

  

   Hans Wong had made two earlier attempts on the peak, in 1942 and 1943, both curtailed by snow and extreme winter conditions. Changing tactics, he and his wife found the key to the Bell when they climbed it in the summer of 1944, pioneering a route up the southern reaches. They named their climb the ‘Gladiolus Route’, after the Gladiolus cruenyus flower, commonly known as the ‘Suicide Lily’, which may sometimes be found on the mountain’s slopes in the summer months.

   Within three months Tony Hooper, Howard Fish, and Jacky Botha pioneered a second route, to the right of the Wong’s line. The route has become extremely popular, despite being more difficult than the original line. The only other established route on the peak ascends the committing north face and was completed by Jim Thomsen, Warwick Keating and Peter and Pam Angus-Leppan in 1962.

   As with so many other peaks and areas in the Drakensberg, the Bell offers a wealth of new and innovative climbing for the stout mountaineer. In particular, an initiative for future climbing parties looking to open and develop new and more challenging lines on the peak must be a direct route from base to summit, starting on the unclimbed base cliffs and finishing off by breaking the higher reaches without deviating from a specific line.

   Stunning to gaze upon and challenging to climb, Bell is one of the more revered peaks in the Drakensberg Mountains.

The End.

Safe Hiking.

References and Acknowledgements

From the book – “Serpent Spires – Duncan Souchon”

Photos:  “Serpent Spires – Duncan Souchon”

Compiled by Willem Pelser

RESPECTING THE WILDERNESS

“ALL THAT IS GOLD DOES NOT GLITTER, NOT ALL THOSE WHO WANDER ARE LOST"

JRR TOLKIEN

RESPECTING THE WILDERNESS

If you want to keep on enjoying the Wilderness, you’ve got to make sure you put back what you take out. The limited number of hiking areas and trail systems, ever-increasing hiker densities on popular trails, and ecologically insensitive hikers are taking their toll on many over-utilized routes. It requires a concerted effort from the entire hiking community to ensure that future generations can one day follow in our footsteps.

   Even though the philosophy of ’leaving nothing but footprints’ may sound like a cliché, it holds as true now, as when the first piece of used toilet paper littered a previously pristine trail. Constant awareness of the consequence of your behavior on the trail is necessary, so find out about specific rules and etiquette along the route. Often, damage is done without an individual actually realizing it, so make it your duty to educate yourself and your companions regarding environmental issues and preservation.

Fauna and Flora

   The golden rule is to stick to the designated trail, no matter how big the temptation to take a short cut or step off the path to get a better view. Trailscapers follow very specific contours and use switchbacks in order to avoid erosion, as water rushing along a footpath can soon turn it into a ravine. In delicate desert habitats, stepping off the trail may damage seedlings germinating just beneath the surface and you will also leave traces of your tracks for years to come.

  

   Be aware of your environment and try to tread in places where your footsteps will do the least damage. Limit your group size, walk in a single file, and seek out solid hard-pack or rock when you can, avoiding stepping on regrowth along trail edges. Picking flowers or plants along a route is tantamount to signing your own expulsion order from the hiking community, and do not light a fire in the Drakensberg Wilderness. It is illegal and highly dangerous and destructive. The decomposition of dead plant matter is imperative in the nutrient and mineral cycle enriching the soil, so stick to the ‘no fire and collecting of wood’ rule wherever it is enforced.

   Remember that you will be sharing the trail and its surrounding environment with snakes, spiders, wasps, scorpions, leeches, and other lovable little nasties intent on protecting what is their rightful home. Keep your distance where you can and in most cases you will be able to avoid a painful confrontation. In case you do stray into the firing line, make sure you have a well-stocked first-aid kit on hand.

If you encounter wildlife on the trail, stick to looking rather than touching. Handling an immature animal or bird might not seem wrong, but the chances are the mother will discard her offspring because of your human smell, leaving it to die. Even the most innocent animal might pack an unexpected punch, leaving you with bites or scratches that could turn septic. When approaching large animals in wilderness areas, do so with caution, giving them a wide berth if possible.

Joining a volunteer group

   Hiking is a long term commitment and it is imperative to preserve wildernesses for future generations. With urban development constantly encroaching on our green spaces, it might be necessary to throw your weight behind a pressure group, sign a few petitions, or join in a demonstration to preserve an unspoiled area.

  

   Other ways of giving back are by getting involved in trail maintenance, or by joining a hacking group to remove alien vegetation. If you notice erosion, broken signage or damage to the route while on a hike, stop for 10 minutes and do your best to repair or arrest the damage. After all, you have been using the trail and it is only fair to give something back. If there is a hiking club in your area, they will be able to advise you regarding trail maintenance; if not, assemble some friends and do it yourself.

   Hiking philosophy embraces the principles of minimum-impact hiking, so be prepared to take home whatever you carry in. A sad fact is that responsible hikers are often forced to remove waste left by less ethical hikers.

   Use biodegradable soap when bathing or doing the dishes, to prevent contaminating the ground, and always remember to wash at least 100m away from any water source.

   When urinating, step off the trail and move well away from a water source, where you can limit any damage to terrain, enjoying the view while you go.

Being environmentally friendly extends to an awareness of everything you do in the wilderness, such as pulling up invasive vegetation, or not taking short cuts that could result in erosion. At all times try to monitor your overall impact on the trail.

What to do with waste

Organic matter: Fruit and vegetable leftovers are decomposable, but may attract animals which could easily become camp site pests. Carry the leftovers out with you.

Cigarette butts: This is littering at its worst. Culprits are guilty of polluting the fresh air, leaving behind litter that takes years to bio-degrade and create a potential fire hazard. If you simply have to smoke on a hike, keep a small container on hand and take your cigarette butts home.

Human waste: Bears may do it in the woods, but this does not give you carte blanche to indiscriminately use the outdoors as your personal loo. The proper way is to take a spade and dig a hole, do your thing, ignite and burn the toilet paper before covering it all up. You must be at least 100 meters away from any water source, so start climbing if you are in a canyon.

Tampons: Take along some zip-lock bags. Seal used sanitary pads or tampons inside a double bag and pack them out.

Plastic and tin: Never leave or bury it in the wilderness. Put it back in your pack and take it home.

  

The End.

Safe Hiking.

References and Acknowledgements

From the book – Hiking, the essential guide to…. – J Marais

Photos – Willem Pelser

Compiled by Willem Pelser