This Autumn hike in early May 2015 was set for a 4 day expedition in the Injisuthi region of Drakensberg but a few of the team weren’t able to make it. So Matt and myself decided to go anyway but just for one night and then have the weekend back together with family. We still had every intention of reaching the high peaks and decided that Giants Castle is the most accessible area by road and Giants Pass is only a moderately difficult ascent of the escarpment. So we left Durban at 4:30am and headed for the mountains hoping to make it to the top of the pass at 3118m in a day of walking!
This was obviously too ambitious considering out levels of fitness and made it half way up the pass before we decided to call it a day – both rather exhausted. We hunted around for level, non-rocky ground on which to pitch a tent for about half an hour until we gave up and headed back down to the contour path where there was better water supply anyway and setup camp. The temperature quickly dropped once the sun went down but after getting warm and hiking dinner was done, it was off to bed – never a very comfortable night sleep in the mountains!
The next morning we awoke to a chilly -1°C temperature but perfect weather. We faced a decision of either contouring round to Bannermans Path and then back to the hotel or do we stash our packs and ascend the pass to try get to the peak by midday and experience the views. The extreme adventure is what we were there for and so we went up!
Even without packs that pass is tough, especially towards the end, but what a beautiful sight at the top. We had panoramic views at a view point topping out at 3200m just below Giants Peak. Only had time to sit there and appreciate the magnificence of creation for about 20minutes before we needed to head back to our packs and then down Giants Ridge to the car at Giants Castle Hotel. So after two eight hour walking days and some incredible scenery once again, we were enriched by the Drakensberg beauty. Below you can view a range of images from our experience. Now looking forward to our Winter hike this year to hopefully find some snow!
By midday the clouds had really rolled in over the high peaks and it wasn’t looking good for our ascent to the peak.
Keeping good spirits at the contour path and a bite to eat for lunch before heading to the base of Giants Pass
After some heavy going on the difficult pass we decided to call it quits for the day about half way up. Just as well because shortly after the pass was engulfed in cloud. Headed back down to flatter ground at the base to setup camp for the night.
The dramatic clouds made for some great light and sunset glory.
The next morning we awoke to perfect weather. Here the sun is peeking over Giants Ridge.
Looking up Giants Pass as the first rays of sunlight illuminate the high peaks of Giants Castle. Notice our yellow tent in the bottom right of the scene!
A view back down the Giants Back towards the Judge and Corner Pass.
This was more or less where we reached the day before. Matt surveying the ascent and the views below.
Very close to cresting the top of the pass here.
Views from the top of Giants Pass – such great clarity for views into the valleys below.
Just below Giants Peak looking south towards Loteni.
Panoramic view from the top.
Heading back down to the Pass and then heading for the hotel and back to Durban all in a day’s hiking!
Off the mountain just in time before the clouds covered the peaks again for the second afternoon.
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