Thursday, May 26, 2011
Day 4 Block R
We awoke to heavy rain and cold wind in Maclear. But social media reports led us to believe the lower Berg and mountains had been covered in snow. We headed out to site in Lionel and were greeted with an incredible site - the mountains we had climbed yesterday, particularly Richards peak, was covered in snow. And it still appeared to be snowing up there. There was just no way we could climb today since we had left our ice picks, ski goggles and general snow apparel back in Durbs. We drove round to the back of the Paardeberg to check out other possible routes. These mountains are high! Your hear rate generally goes up just looking at them - certainly not the chip & putt they appear on a Comp or Google Earth . Unfortunately today (and tommorow it appears) there will just be no way of any field work. Much fun was had on the slippery roads and snow fields anyhow though - Pics below (click on Pic for Full view):
Cecil Thomas the historical Eastern Cape Surveyor!
Day 3 Block 10R
What a day.
After a slow start we really got stuck in yesterday. The weather had begun to turn cold but the morning was still and sunny and it was decided we would go the full hog up on the mountains.
The day nearly never got going as Lionel the Ford Ranger struggled to get up to the Tower positions on a wet, slippery and steep road. Eventually I grew some balls and just flat out flawed it through the mud - just squeezing between fallen boulders and the drop below. It was one of the occasions where momentum more than 4x4 driving skill got me through. Ok - and a bit of luck.
After placing my second beacon Richard informed me that he had reached the plateau (a 300m climb) and was making a push for the top. He told me that should he not return I could keep his bakkie but should split his remaining tequila's amongst all MHP surveyors. My walk had just begun up the heavy slope between Pig and PieBald and this entailed much huffing and puffing - though every now and again I would stare up at the Paardeberg mountain - picturing Richard on all fours hanging onto the cliff - and this would normally get me through.
Richard summited mid-morning and when asked about his climb the response was simple - "It was Death".
It was great day up in these untouched mountains - we found the odd beacon - scrambled up rock faces - and got the heart rate up (!).
Richard aka "Edmund Hillary" with his mountain in the background (far back left). On the drive home last night the clouds which had covered the Berg all afternoon cleared themselves for a bit revealing a blanket of snow across the Drakensberg. A cold but awesome sight.
After a slow start we really got stuck in yesterday. The weather had begun to turn cold but the morning was still and sunny and it was decided we would go the full hog up on the mountains.
The day nearly never got going as Lionel the Ford Ranger struggled to get up to the Tower positions on a wet, slippery and steep road. Eventually I grew some balls and just flat out flawed it through the mud - just squeezing between fallen boulders and the drop below. It was one of the occasions where momentum more than 4x4 driving skill got me through. Ok - and a bit of luck.
After placing my second beacon Richard informed me that he had reached the plateau (a 300m climb) and was making a push for the top. He told me that should he not return I could keep his bakkie but should split his remaining tequila's amongst all MHP surveyors. My walk had just begun up the heavy slope between Pig and PieBald and this entailed much huffing and puffing - though every now and again I would stare up at the Paardeberg mountain - picturing Richard on all fours hanging onto the cliff - and this would normally get me through.
Richard summited mid-morning and when asked about his climb the response was simple - "It was Death".
Richard aka "Edmund Hillary" with his mountain in the background (far back left). On the drive home last night the clouds which had covered the Berg all afternoon cleared themselves for a bit revealing a blanket of snow across the Drakensberg. A cold but awesome sight.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Rule no. 1. Never hesitate... Ever!!!
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