Berg Alert 2014
30 Apr 2014 09:57 - 30 Apr 2014 09:59 #60521
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Berg Alert 2014
Oh great, the issue on Rhino is raising it's ugly head again! 
My sympathies to the group of girls who had to go through that experience.
For anyone new to the Berg and/or this forum, please note that Mashai Pass/Rhino area does have a recent history of shepherds who are very intimidating and forceful for handouts up there. There was a particularly troubling (and controversial) incident in Dec 2010. Please see previous Berg Alert threads for details.
Not every shepherd up there is responsible for this kind of thing, and if you encounter them there it doesn't mean you will necessarily have the same experience. I was up there in January this year, and encountered a number of them who showed friendly behaviour and even posed for photographs. However, be very alert and vigilant when going there. As much as possible, exude confidence to them in your voice and body language, not letting yourself be intimidated by any shouting and demands for handouts. Be very firm but polite with them. I believe showing them this kind of confidence can help in keeping them on the back-foot.
My sympathies to the group of girls who had to go through that experience.
For anyone new to the Berg and/or this forum, please note that Mashai Pass/Rhino area does have a recent history of shepherds who are very intimidating and forceful for handouts up there. There was a particularly troubling (and controversial) incident in Dec 2010. Please see previous Berg Alert threads for details.
Not every shepherd up there is responsible for this kind of thing, and if you encounter them there it doesn't mean you will necessarily have the same experience. I was up there in January this year, and encountered a number of them who showed friendly behaviour and even posed for photographs. However, be very alert and vigilant when going there. As much as possible, exude confidence to them in your voice and body language, not letting yourself be intimidated by any shouting and demands for handouts. Be very firm but polite with them. I believe showing them this kind of confidence can help in keeping them on the back-foot.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
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