Drakensberg

April 2019

Known in Zulu as Ukhahlamba (‘Battlement of Spears’), the Drakensberg rises like a great green fortress, forming a natural border between South Africa and Lesotho. We spent 3 days hiking The Bell Traverse route in these magnificent mountains, sleeping in caves along the way.

We started the first day in the dark but, with a full moon to light the way, we found our first cave for the night. The hard work began the next day with the ascent up Cathedral Peak.

We started the first day in the dark but, with a full moon to light the way, we found our first cave for the night. The hard work began the next day with the ascent up Cathedral Peak.

Alex and Toby.

Alex and Toby.

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Toby and Zoë.

Toby and Zoë.

Breaking through the clouds on the way through Orange Peel Gap.

Breaking through the clouds on the way through Orange Peel Gap.

Lunch stop at the base of Cathedral Peak before making our way up and over Bugger’s Gulley.

Lunch stop at the base of Cathedral Peak before making our way up and over Bugger’s Gulley.

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Now for the sketchy route down the other side of Bugger’s Gulley.

Now for the sketchy route down the other side of Bugger’s Gulley.

The Bell Traverse contours just below all of these peaks. This was to be our route for the following day, but first we had to find the Bell Cave to spend the night.

The Bell Traverse contours just below all of these peaks. This was to be our route for the following day, but first we had to find the Bell Cave to spend the night.

Looking back up Bugger’s Gulley - it is hard to convey how steep and loose this section of scree was!

Looking back up Bugger’s Gulley - it is hard to convey how steep and loose this section of scree was!

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Our home for the night.

Our home for the night.

Zoë, Alex and Toby making their way along the Bell Traverse.

Zoë, Alex and Toby making their way along the Bell Traverse.

As the wind picked up in the afternoon, the narrow paths and steep drop-offs seemed a little more ominous.

As the wind picked up in the afternoon, the narrow paths and steep drop-offs seemed a little more ominous.

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The homestretch after coming over Mlambonja pass.

The homestretch after coming over Mlambonja pass.

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