Hike to Rhino Peak - Drakensberg

Hike up Rhino Peak, Drakensberg. 17-18 July 2004 (See photos below!)

A frivolous account of events by Allen Petrie roving reporter...

“ Be Prepared” is the Boy Scout’s marching song. Well, this Boy Scout would have had Baden Powell in a huff on Friday night. While Errol and Elizabeth watched and waited, this ex Patrol Leader of the Cobra Patrol at 1st Monte Vista Scout Troup made a hash of everything from packing to checking.

Boy Scout Hiker’s Tip no 348… Always check your hiking boots for inner soles. It’s really crap to walk for 2 days without them.
Boy Scout Hiker’s Tip no 451... Always take a mattress with you when you’re camping outside, especially in winter weather.

I guess my Explorer badge my Mom proudly sewed onto my uniform was a long time ago. Sorry Baden Powell, it’s been a while and I’m rusty.

After a two hour and a half hour drive, we arrived at Castle Gate and met with Western, Karen, Niv, Chris, Dale, Glynnis, Dave and Sandy.

After making running repairs to a tent pole. I joined the rest for a drink and it wasn’t long before we were all tucked in for the night.

Apparently, I snore. But there’s no proof...

Day 1:

Breakfast when camping is supposed to resemble something “porridgey” with instant coffee. Breakfast, when camping with Sandy, is a five star affair. Dave must have Woolies shares or something.

We went to the Office to fill out the hiking register and pay, before setting out to Pillar Cave.

The first day’s hiking consisted of a 5km hike on even ground. What the route description didn’t tell us was that this little walk would be interrupted by a snow-fight of epic proportion. Soon, the warring parties were plotting each other’s demise. Death by slush-puppy. Dave should have played cricket for South Africa with an arm like that.

Boy Scout Hiker’s Tip no 723…Snow is COLD. Have gloves on hand. (on hand….geddit??? never mind!!)

Truce. We called it a draw.

Pillar Cave is beautiful. It’s recessed in sandstone and has a view of the valley below. In the middle of the cave is the obvious pillar after which it’s named. We ambled up to it at lunchtime and settled in for the day.

Some went to the river for water, while others made notes for diaries and read while basking in the welcome sunshine.

Now this is the part where the Patrol Leader of the Cobra Patrol was truly humbled. Errol, who shall be referred to from this point as “Yoda”, demonstrated a zen-like art of hiking preparedness. He is the Yoda if hiking. Even Western was impressed, firstly by how much can really fit into a bag and secondly, the range of items.

We spent the rest of the afternoon lazing around, eating, sunbathing and marveling at Yoda and his “David Copperfield’esque” ability to produce anything from his bag.

Supper was an Italian inspired cook-fest, ranging from Woolies ravioli (guess who) to noodles and other quick carbo-loading dinners.

After swopping stories and sorting out sleeping arrangements, we hit the hay. Literally.
A couple of rounds of fart baseball and things got quiet. To be in a warm sleeping bag while it’s really cold outside, watching the stars, is what makes people carry heavy bags up mountains.

Boy Scout Hiker’s Tip no 735… As soon as you get into a sleeping bag and you’re warm, you’ll need to pee. Do it before you get into your bag.

Day 2:

In stark contrast to Day 1, this day started at 5am. We huddled around stoves and made coffee and breakfast. A quick repack of essential items into day packs and we were off to the top of Rhino Peak, situated at round 3060m above sea level.

Now, this was a much more serious endeavour. By definition, the work Peak implies that one has to go uphill !!! And we were going to have to contend with a lot of snow and ice. The hike took a slightly serious turn. Hiking up a gully for the better part of 5 hours was hard work. Now going about as fast as a very old snail going uphill on drying paint, the party made progress up the slippery gorge. When I say slippery, I mean it. Frozen waterfalls and ice sheets made for some precarious crossings.

By now, the groups had split up a little. “Choose your own adventure”, suggested Dave as we pondered which way was the fastest and safest.

Allen, Western, Dave and Niv had some harrowing moments as they worked their way to the top. Only Yoda shot up the route with alarming ease. How does he do that? Secret crampons in his magic bag perhaps??

Glynnis should have been a Voortrekker. She possesses the kind of “won’t quit” mentality that Piet Retief must have had. She and Karen arrived triumphantly, albeit tired at the top of the pass.

And then we had another snow fight.

We walked to the top of Rhino Peak just in time for a well-earned break and lunch. Seeing the Escarpment and the low-lying areas from this vantage gives one a humbling sense of smallness. Photo’s were taken, bags were packed and we started back down the slippery slope.

And so the “game” began - trying to stay on your feet while falling / slipping in style with points out of 10. Dave proved to be the king of balance as the rest of us looked like a bunch of drunkards on a Friday night.

After a surprisingly quick decent, we arrived back at Pillar Cave, relieved to be out of the snow.

Once we’d all gathered back at the cave, you could sense the feeling of accomplishment as we stared unbelievingly at how far we’d gone in a day. Looming over 1000m above us was Rhino Peak, thumbing it’s nose at anyone who might be tempted to climb it.

We loaded our heavy packs and stormed the last 5km home as if there was beer at the finish.

And so we arrived, both triumphant and relieved at the campsite. For the record it should be noted that Glynnis would only do this again if Dale married her. (So the gauntlet has been thrown…)

And so ended another adventure.

Well done to Western for, as always, arranging a great trip.

End.

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