Dragon's Wrath 2013

During the reporting of this whole incident there was one important mistake made. The school was not actually on an Outward Bound programme. They were doing an internal programme based on the Outward Bound concept but run by themselves. Outward Bound South Africa has subsequently asked for a retraction in all media. This type of reporting can seriously hurt an organisations reputation. Thought I should bring that under everyone's attention as my love for Outward Bound International is strong.

This has led to an interesting question in some circles. Why are parents willing to send their kids on a camp of this nature if not run by registered professionals? I have been told that this was the case here but cannot confirm this as fact. By no means am I saying that the outcome would have been different but there are reasons for having a professional guiding structure in place.

I feel sorry for the kids that got hurt in these incidents and to the family that lost a son. Hopefully the school will provide for professional councelling.

Outside Magazine has listed the Drakensberg Traverse on the 10 most dangerous hikes list! Their comment is that 50 people died before 1985 but since then records are vague. It seems like BS if you ask me...

www.outsideonline.com

Thanks for that reminder. I read the same book quite a few years ago though.

I recently watched a travel program on DSTV "Ice Trekking in the Alps" that quoted 50 people a year die in the Chamonix valley around Mt Blanc in France. Makes our stats look pretty low...

In SA though I think there may be some interesting trails? I can't remember the source (it may have been Getaway magazine) but I remember reading about the closing of a trail in the Cape area because over 50 people had died of exposure hiking there (not sure over what time period). Apparently the authorities felt that people couldn't be trusted to manage their own safety? If anyone knows the specifics of this report I would be interested.

Probably the Boland Trail you have in mind (not entirely closed, route just changed).... 14 deaths mentioned. You can read the Getaway article here: Getaway

on the 40-mile trek through Natal National Park that crosses some of the most exposed—and beautiful—alpine terrain in the world.
...
The most daunting part may be the beginning—two rickety chain ladders take trekkers to the ridge, where animal tracks, herding trails, and rock scrambles are cobbled together to make up the trail.

40 miles? Is that RNNP to the Senqu valley or something?

Exposure on a GT - really? Where exactly is there an exposed bit?

A trail - really? And rock scrambles? I remember 2 on the entire route - Durnford Gap and that gap in the rock bank on the south slopes of South Saddle ridge.

Does anyone know if someone has ever died on GT before? I know Mountain Rescue has had to pick up injured people, but I haven't heard of any deaths.

What a load of twaddle!!!