More photos from our #Drakensberg trip to #Mnweni is on Pixelfed.
https://mountains.photos/p/ysb33r/692634171275132966
(It only shows 4 of the 12 pics in some apps).
In April '24 I managed to spend 5 days in the Drakensberg on an MCSA trip. Our tour included ascending the Mbundini pass and descending Rockeries. #Drakensberg #mnweni #southafrica #hiking
Day 5 (and the last) of our Mnweni trip and after a good night's sleep on a sloping pitch, we woke up early. It was about 3h of walking to get to a point where a local would pick us up to get back to the starting point, saving us 6km of walking on a dirt track in 30⁰C weather.
The trick with this walk out is to stop regularly and look back to see the magnificent peaks. It is hard to come here and not be touched. This is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, far older than the European Alps or the Himalayas.
In its Afrikaans form Drakensberg means Dragon Mountain and in its Zulu form, Quathambla, it means Barrier of Spears.
It is an ancient, remote and rugged mountain range and if you disrespect the dragon, it will take its revenge.
Day 4 of our Mnweni trip and we decided to descend Rockeries pass and camp at the Nguza camping spot as it will allow us to get home earlier the next day.
We used the morning to detour closer to the escarpment rather than take the "highway" footpath to get to the top of the pass. This allowed us to see the group of rock columns known as the Twelve Apostles.
We had a short relaxed lunch at the top of the Rockeries pass, taking in the magnificent surroundings and just being thankful for being in such a magical place.
Then it was the long slog down, dealing first with rocky terrain until it eventually becomes a decent path crossing a number of streams with great tasting and ice cold water.
We had the camping spot to ourselves and sat outside until long after dark, appreciating the starry sky.
Day 3 of our Mnweni trip and after our previous long day, we started off at 09:30.
We made a point of visiting the tops of a number of passes, summit caves and taking in the magnificent views. The tops of Fangs & Madonna passes were spectacular. We had a lovely lunch next to a small river in Lesotho.
After lunch the clouds rolled in as we were walking, the wind picked up and then we were pelted with hail. The leader made call that we should make camp. We descended next to stream bed, but the cloud caught us. We pitched the fly of the Durston X-Mid in 2min and then all 4 of us hid inside with our backpacks until the rain passed.
We found a nice spot to camp a bit further down the stream. The 2nd bout of rain came past after we setup and we hung out in one tent eating biscuits and drinking Merlot from Namaqualand.
Day 2 of our Mnweni trip and we woke up next to a low cloud. I say next to because our shelter itself had no precipitation. This resulted in our start delayed to 9am. We had a long day ahead. Only about 6km of walking with roughly 1400m of ascent, but without a path. We were going up the Mbundini pass.
I was first of our group to top out. It was 6pm - 9h after setting off. The last red line of dusk was left. I used it to try and spot some water. I dressed warmly, but on a headlamp and waited for the 2nd member to top out.
I went to look for water, but it was disappointing. I then nearly got lost walking back due to location service on my mobile. I ended using my Garmin watch to retrace my steps.
I then descended the pass to find the other two and guide them up.
We decided to walk for another hour, down a stream line until we had both water and a flat area for two tents. It was nearly 23:00 by the time we got into our sleeping bags.
Our first day of our April trip to the Mnweni area of the Drakensberg was spent walking towards, and next to the Mnweni river. Most of the day was through wet grass sometimes taller than we are. I should have put on my raingear as it was as good as being in a rain storm. (It meant starting the next day in wet clothes, boots and socks).
This is a remote area and once we left the last of the small houses, we saw no one else, not even other hikers, until day 3.
We we rewarded with some small waterfalls, fungi and flowers along the way, but the peaks were hidden from our view by low clouds.
That night we slept under a rock overhang called FiveStar Cave. The temperature probably dropped down to 10⁰C.
For me it is one of the most magical places in the world. I managed to return to the Mnweni area of the Drakensberg last year after an absence of more than 23yrs.
One of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, mostly formed from volcanic action and not continental plate collisions.
This is not my video, but it really does the area justice. If you have 8mins to spare, enjoy the beauty.
At the end of April I got to do the rarely accessed #Rwanqa pass in the #Mnweni area of the #Drakensberg with a #McsaMagaliesberg group.
This is a tough pass as once one crosses the last stream, there is no distinct path. I have to admit I was tired after I got to the top and scouted for a campsite.
Overall, the Drakensberg remains a special place.
(Not all pics are mine).
Schalk Cronjé
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