Today was our first walk in the Drakensberg mountains and as it was along a gorge it was led by Admire.
We entered the Royal Natal National Park and after parking in the the closest parking area and signing the register at the start of the walk we set off on the 14km walk along the the Thukela gorge ( 7km to the top and 7km back).
The views were stunning but the cloud stayed set fast over the highest parts of the amphitheatre, a massive elliptical rock face with higher peaks at either ensue the Eastern Buttress (3011m) and the Sentinel (3165m), until the very end of the day when it tantalising partially cleared to show the rock formations. On the way up the gorge the weather was clear enough to see the lower level rocks - one,interestingly, was called the policeman's helmet due to its conical shape. The path was good and followed the contours of the river valley, there were a few undulations but overall it was relatively easy. As we walked we got good views of a grey reed buck running through the vegetation and on the way back mountain baboons foraging for roots and grass.
Lunch was at the the confluence of two rivers that make the Thukela - as this was the dry season they were a mere trickle but the size of the boulders, currently high and dry, clearly showed the force the river must possess in the wet season when levels are much higher and the flow much faster.
The weather was balmy, nicely warm and dry all day; by the end of the walk it was very warm so I treated John ( and myself of course) to an ice cream at the park shop. I also bought us a pair of cape mohair walking socks -they looked really good South African made socks, worth a try and a good souvenir of a walking holiday!
On our way back we all contemplated what tomorrows walk would be like - our appetite was whetted and we hoped it would be a clear day as our elevation would be much higher indeed, if we made the chain ladders, we would be on the top of the amphitheatre. Clearly walking in heavy mist and thick cloud cover would be no fun and only allow us to remember the dark side of these formidable mountains.
Today's photo was taken in the afternoon as the cloud began to clear and reveal the beauty of the western edge of the amphitheatre.)