Rhino Peak solo Oct 2013

Two years ago I had my first visit to the Southern Berg....Unfortunately...or fortunately (depending on which way you look at it) it was on honeymoon, so it didn't leave much time for alpine endeavours.

The beauty of the area immediately struck me and I was tantalised by the prospect of Rhino Peak (Definitely not done as a hotel guest though for a 10 hour slog... much to my wife's dismay).

So I haven't done much exercise other than tennis (at least it has been regular) for the last 2 years since my son was born....no running...no adventure racing or even cycling.

3 weeks ago when we decided to go away for a bit, I was pleasantly surprised to get place at Drakensberg Gardens Hotel (Rhino in the back of my mind naturally). I decided to try get some crash course fitness going, 2 bike rides later, my son got sick....antibiotics a week later....wife got it a week after that....and naturally I got it just before we got to the Berg.

Anyway started some antibiotics on Monday (thinking weather report clear on Thursday-I must be better by then).

To cut the soapy short we had three scorching days of absolutely clear skies (actually a bit of a drought), Thursday morning I was up at 4:30, missed my intended 5:00 start by only 20 mins luckily.

I then had the most awesome 6 hours in God's creation....Mashai dry as a bone, which meant I could go straight up where the river is meant to be.

When I got back the rangers didn't seem to mind that I went up solo and more amazed that I hadn't done the route before...thanks to the hotel guests the route is really well trodden.

I was fortunate enough not to see a soul on the way. Hopefully some of the pics will help to share the splendour.

Thanks for sharing

Rhino Peak via Mashai Pass was my first proper Berg hike (we had relatively thick mist). That area is really beautiful! Some of the peaks around there are really quite something.

Thanks for sharing dude. It is an amazing feeling just having the sound of wind passing your ears up in those lonely and high places!

Very nice walk that! Added it my list of to-do's