Mafadi 3451 m, highest peak in SA finally in the bag 3rd time lucky!

MAFADI 3451m the highest point in South Africa, done and dusted.

Me finally on top of Mafadi - thanks to Ian Miller for capturing this shot with my Samsung Cell phone #adventurekimcom #mafadi #drakensberg #Injisuthi #hiking #adventurewithapurpose #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Nothing makes me more excited than being able to go an play in my favorite playground, the Drakensberg Maluti or Maloti Mountains. They are an adventurers paradise. Unspoiled, untamed, wild, desolate, remote and breathtakingly beautiful. I love being up there, basking in its vast valleys, taking in its stillness, watching eagles and vultures gliding high close by, watching the white cloud formations against the bluest of skies, mountain after rolling mountain greets your gaze. Not another human being just you, the wind and the Dragon. I love sitting above the clouds, shutting out the busy world below. This is where Heaven and earth merge. This is my peace. This is my sanctuary. This is where I come to talk to God. To bare my soul.

Great shot of Ian Miller and myself taken by Wendy Miller using her cell phone, along the jeep tracks #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Mafadi (literally means the Mother of Fadi) - in Sesotho means “those audible from a distance", the highest peak in South Africa and only recognized as such in the past 20 odd years. Mont-Aux-Sources was originally considered the highest point in SA. The Sotho name for the peak is Ntheledi (which means "makes me slip" referring to the nearby stream). Interestingly the name Mafadi seems to have been misappropriated to the highest peak in South Africa from an already named peak inside Lesotho. For many years the highest point in SA had no name. The peak Mafadi inside Lesotho got its Sesotho name “those audible from a distance” because the river close by contains rapids and an impressive 6m high waterfall that falls off the mountain and thus creates a "far away noise". The SA version has no such thing, in fact it is just a flat piece of rock almost the size of a playing field and certainly no river or waterfall close by, only a small stream much further down if you come up from Judges pass side.

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The Berg is often shrouded in mist and a GPS comes in really handy for safe navigation - My son Jordan not far from Centenary hut. Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon coolpix #adventurekimcom #mafadi #drakensberg #centenaryhut #hiking #ninepeaks #sa9peaks #SA9peaksChallenge #9peaks #injisuthi #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

There are many sources that verify the Lesotho origins of Mafadi going back to the 1940's and 1950's recorded summits. However it was only in a published Government survey back in 1971 that first acknowledges Mafadi as the highest peak in SA and the first time its name appeared in an RSA publication, sitting at 3446m, but it has since been corrected to its current 3451m. During the Great Trek of 1837 from the Cape Colony, the Boer settles had to negotiate their ox-wagons through the Drakensberg's steep passes. A rather apocryphal tale that followed some 40 years later on how the mountains came to acquire the name 'Drakensberg" when a Boer father and son apparently saw a dragon, a giant lizard with wings and a tail, flying above the cloud-covered mountain peaks. It is fair to say that both its Zulu name uKhahlamba "barrier of spears and its Afrikaans name" Drakensberg 'dragon mountains'' really do justice to the formidable horizon created by the range.

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Up above Poaches stream and below the chain and wooden ladders up to the Jeep tracks and mid-berg - Photo Credit Kim Williams - Nikon coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Mafadi is actuary 32m less than the highest peak South of the Kilimanjaro, Thabana Ntlenyan 3482m found in Lesotho (a day trip if you go via the Sani Pass area). The highest peaks of southern Africa rise to above 3300m and are all found in Maloti-Drakensberg Park. The area forms a spectacular jagged border between South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho which is why some of the peaks are shared between the two countries as borders run over the summit. This is pretty cool as we start in SA ,hop over to Lesotho and back into SA, at times you crisscross back and forth the two countries within a few hours. These big peaks also form part of the main Drakensberg escarpment and its massive basaltic cap set on a broad base of sedimentary rocks belongs to the Stormberg series of some 150-million years ago, creating South Africa’s main watershed.

Photo credit Kim Williams - Nikon coolpix - taken from the Centenary Hut #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #Centenaryhut #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

The Maloti Drakensberg park has become a firm favourite hiking and rock climbing area for both locals and foreign visitors. Many of the high peaks are accessible on foot on some varied and rather tough terrain. Of the nine highest peaks inside our borders, only 2 require technical climbing to reach the summit. It is also now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, something I am very excited about as this means its unique fauna and flora and rich cultural history will be preserved for future generations and for my grandchildren one day. In fact it has a fascinating and ancient geology, with many spectacular rock formations. It also has as its inhabitants some of the rarest animals in the world. It boasts the largest, richest and most concentrated series of rock art in Africa. The regions is considered both a cultural and natural World Heritage site because of its incredible geology and unmatched wealth of San rock art.

Photo Credit: Kim Williams - Nikon coolpix My son Jordan at the top one of the chain and wooden ladders above Poaches stream via the Avante Tute to pop up on the Intanahlana Ridge- pretty hectic in the rain and mist coupled with a heavy pack #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #nikon #injisuthicamp #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

YOU NEED TO BE AN EXPERIENCED HIKER TO TACKLE MAFADI AND THE HIGH BERG! You need a fair amount of fitness to tackle this peak and you will carry a heavy backpack with all your camping gear, food etc. Proper training with a heavy pack is recommended and if you have a fear of heights like me, well it becomes really interesting! Some of the rules regarding climbing the high berg and in particular Mafadi are under going some changes due to inexperienced climbers/hikers tackling the high berg and finding themselves in trouble. Its proper expedition mode, where you will require some proper mountain gear, never underestimate the Drakensberg and think you can wing it, people have encountered serious injures and some have died. These are big mountains, not child's play and proper preparation is needed for a safe trek. I have summited Mt Kilimanjaro twice via the Umbwe (the most difficult and demanding route on Kili)and Rongai Routes and I found the 4 day Mafadi far more challenging, the terrain is far more technical in that you are negotiating up and over rocks, boulders and walk along many exposed trails all the while carrying everything you need for 4 days on your back. There are a couple of guided hikes up for offer and some really good local tour operators who are seasoned berg climbers themselves. Ask around and find a reputable guide. Today you will even find slack packing hikes in the berg, something I would like to try out. I'm nearly 52 and think I qualify now to be able to take it easy from time to time!!

#adventurekimcom #mafadi

I have tried twice before to summit this mountain, each time weather and time restraints made my son and I turn around at Centenary hut. This time I was not totally focused on bagging Mafadi, I considered it more to be a bonus. I had other exciting things I would be doing on this mountain like sleeping in caves and under the stars, hopefully bag an ascent and descent of 1 or 2 of the big formidable Berg passes and more. I needed some time to clear my head and make some decisions about my life and the mountains are always the best place to do this.

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My youngest son Jordan and I on one of our mini berg adventures enjoying a lunch in the Injisuti valley and winter sun #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #nikon #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

My work as a Paramedic, working in one of the worlds most dangerous cities, working alone as a women, having guns pointed at me, guns held to my head and an attempted rape, working in fear every day on the beat for the past 5 years with no support had taken its toll. I find it really hard to socialize with normal people, or any humans. People's constant moans and groans about daily life really get to me after what I witness. Life is so precious, you are here today but gone tomorrow. Life is meant to be lived and I was not working everyday closer to my grave without living. Best of all I would be sharing a 4 day 3 night trekking adventure with the amazing Millers, while carrying our 14.5kg back packs up and down the steep and tough passes. My son Jordan would not be joining me as he is getting ready for his prelims.

Photo Credit: Kim Williams - one of my favorite photos of my son Jordan in the Injisuti valley. I call it my Indiana Jones shot! #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

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Photo credit: Kim Williams - One of my favorite photos I took with my Nikon Cool Pix from our tent at the Injisuthi Camp site in April with the giant peaks of Cathkin Peak, Monk's Cowl and Champagne Castle #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Ian and Wendy Miller are regulars at Injisuthi, they are the Custodians of Injisuthi, winning awards for their hard work and dedication in preserving our heritage. They have a wealth of knowledge and share so many interesting stories of the Berg. Injisuthi falls within the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, a World Heritage site. The majestic uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park lies in the west of Kwa-Zulu Natal on the border of Lesotho. It is an impressive 243 000 hectors of treasures and adventure. It stretches some 150 kilometres from the Royal Natal National Park in the north, all the way to Cobham Forest Station in the South. Injisuthi camp has a very affordable hutted camp, with stunning nearby camping sites, with great ablution blocks available for families and groups. It has a central office/shop where you can buy fire wood, fresh trout and few emergency grocery items, like beer and condense milk, some really stunning local crafts and interesting books for sale. Its nestled between the Injisuthi and Cowl Fork rivers at the head of the Injisuthi Valley and surrounded by the huge Cathkin Peak, Monk's Cowl and Champagne Castle mountains.

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Photo Credit: Kim Williams the tarred road through the rural villages. It is full of potholes and narrow. Once you arrive on a hill you drive through a small gate with animal grids to prevent the livestock from coming into the reserve. From here the road is a hectic gravel and sand road. #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

To get there you have to drive on really bad roads with huge potholes, around herds of cows and goats and children who try to out run your car and even jump onto your car. I have come here in a sedan but I personally prefer to go in my Jimny 4x4 and when it rains... well I will just leave it there!

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Photo Credit: Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix - one of the stunning ablution blocks with a kitchen wash up area in the middle where the green door can be seen. #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Injisuthi means satisfied dog or well fed dog in Zulu and this place is indeed satisfying to the soul. Legend has it that the fearsome traditional Zulu hunters the region have an abundance of game, enough to fill both their stomachs and their dogs and so the name Injisuthi came to be. There is so much to explore and do, from camping, fishing, day walks, exploring huge and small caves, exquisitely breathtaking bushman paintings, dinosaur bones and footprints, to swimming in marble rock baths and pools to drinking from the crystal clear rivers and streams. There are thousands of trails marked across the Drakensberg. These range from your short ambles, through indigenous fern forests to the more strenuous expeditions through the mountains, hills and its many tough passes. When describing the park’s natural heritage, UNESCO writes “exceptional natural beauty in its soaring basaltic buttresses, incisive dramatic cutbacks and golden sandstone ramparts. Rolling high altitude grasslands, the pristine steep-sided river valleys and rocky gorges also contribute to the beauty of the site.” That pretty much describes a truly magical adventure awaits you.

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Photo credits: Kim Williams Nikon cool pix 1: Our tent at the camp site 2: sun set over the camp site 3: One of the many caves with its beautiful Bushman paintings on the wall #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO

The park offers four big caves where you can pre-book to overnight in, Lower Injisuthi Cave max 8, Upper Injisuthi Cave, Marble Baths Cave max 8 and Grindstone Caves max 12. Other caves in Injisuthi Kaula Cave Maximum 12 , Small Cave Maximum 4 , Bridge Cave Maximum 6 , Sicocosebhaca Cave Maximum 12. This is a paradise like none other, your one stop mountain adventure camp. Please be mindful of the cave accommodations rules as to how many can sleep in these caves to preserve our heritage. Please click on the link to find out the rules http://www.kznwildlife.com/overnight-hiking.html
Please do not litter and DO NOT PUT GRAFFITI ON THE WALLS PEOPLE. Allow others the joy of seeing the caves preserved for our grand-kids and their grand-kids. The uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park is also a monument to the San hunter-gatherers, who lived here from the Stone Age until the late 19th century - that is a 4 000-year occupation! The indigenous San people created a large treasure cache of beautiful rock art, which is the largest and most concentrated collection in all Africa. There are some 600 sites and 35 000 individual images in the Drakensberg. There are still many undiscovered caves and paintings yet to be found such is the vastness of the Drakensberg region.

Photo Credit: Kim Williams one of the many hidden caves off the main trail that I had the privilege of visiting #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

These painting's are such a treasure that Unesco describes them as “world famous and widely considered one of the supreme achievements of humankind . outstanding in quality and diversity of subject and in their depiction of animals and human beings, which throws much light on their way of life and their beliefs." they further go on to mention that “The rock art of the Drakensberg is the largest and most concentrated group of rock paintings in Africa south of the Sahara, and is outstanding both in quality and diversity of subject.”

Photo Credit: Kim Williams: The paintings have a documentary aspect, showing the San interacting with one other and their environment. Hunting scenes are common. The subject-matter changed with the arrival of the settlers from the north and the colonisers from Europe.

#adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Photo Credit: Kim Williams:Originally roaming freely throughout southern Africa, the San were forced to take refuge in the mountains with the 13th-century migration of Bantu-speaking people into the region and, later, European colonization. Tragically the San culture disappeared from the Drakensberg at the end of the 19th century. #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Photo Credit: Kim Williams: The San artists used red, orange, yellow, black and white, made from mixing clay, burnt wood and ochre oxides to create their masterpieces. #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

The oldest painting on a rock shelter wall in the Drakensberg dates back about 2 400 years, but paint chips at least a thousand years older have also been found. So I ask the question why are Professional guides and KZN authorities not doing more to preserve our Heritage and why are large groups allowed to trample all over our treasures. Why on guided trips do you allow your clients to vandalize and write graffiti all over the walls? Why are these chops allowed to destroy our history?Why do guides allow their clients to build big bonfires in the reserve and worse in the caves? Why are trained and registered guides and members of the SA Mountain Club allowing this to happen to our heritage? Guides and groups that allow and take part in these despicable actions should be banned from the Drakensberg for life. Period!

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Photo Credit Kim Williams: The Drakensberg mountains have a sandstone base and this is one of the many sandstone overhangs - you can find many which have formed due to erosion over millennia. This was inside the Injisuthi Valley on our way back to the main camp. Through the centuries South Africa’s original inhabitants, the Bushmen or San inhabited many of these and left behind a priceless legacy of incredible rock art. #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix - taken near Centenary Hut in the month of April #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

There are a whopping 2 153 plant species that grow in the park, 98 of these are endemic or near-endemic, including the extremely rare Protea nubigena, a plant found nowhere else on earth except on a high ridge in the Royal Natal section of the park. The Drakensberg’s has a very rich biodiversity because of its extremes in altitude (1000 m - 3 500 m). The region is home to many aquatic, forest, scrub, fynbos, savannah, mountain grasslands and several heath plant families, including a large number of species listed in the Red Data Book of threatened plants, with 119 species listed as globally endangered.

Eland Injisuthi what a magnificent beast he was! Photo Credit Kim Williams: #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

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Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon coolpix

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Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon coolpix

The park is also home to 299 recorded bird species – that means that 37% of all non-marine avian species in southern Africa are here in the park!.

Ten of the park’s bird species are listed as important to world conservation, like the globally endangered Cape parrot and white-winged fluff-tail, and the globally threatened corncrake, lesser kestrel and yellow-breasted pipit.

The blue crane, Cape vulture and bald ibis are counted as globally vulnerable, the pallid harrier and black harrier are on the near-threatened list.

There are 48 species of mammals found in the park. The eland are sadly threatened and the endemic grey rhebuck are in their highest numbers national here, sitting at around 2 000. The very cute colonies of clawless and spotted neck otters are also in the largest numbers than in the rest of South Africa.Photo Credit Kim Williams: #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

My son Jordan and I meet the Millers on our second attempt of Mafadi. It was July, cold and the weather was not looking good. Jordan and I were here, so we decided to make a go of it and see how far we could go before it turned south. The Millers had set up their very impressive base camp and invited Jordan and I for dinner. Ian has mapped out all the trails and some, within the Berg area and shared them with us. The rest is history as they say.

The Millers very impressive Base Camp-known as Hotel Miller by Jordan and I and for good reason! #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

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The start of many adventures together!! #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks

Today I left Johannesburg on my own, in my little Suzuki Jimny to meet them at the Thokozisa info centre, one of my favorite stops to have lunch. They have great food and gifts, crafts for locals and tourists. Their pizzas and steaks are really good. The trip takes us Jozinites about a 5 hours and for Durbanites 2 1/2 odd hours.

Photo Credit Kim Williams Swinburne near Harrismith in the Free state #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks

I turned off at Harrismith and made my way through the town and onto the road to Winterton. I passed the impressive Sterkfontein Dam - always a treat and a sight to behold with its bright blue waters spanning as far as the eye can see, with its little land mass islands surrounded by mountains standing sentinel. This dam is actually part of the Tugela-Vaal Water project and the Drakensberg Pumped Storage Scheme and is located on the Nuwejaarspruit, a tributary of the Wilge River in the upper catchment area of the Vaal River. Construction started in 1969 and IT was designed and constructed by the Department of Water Affairs. The tarred road is not always in good condition so you need to slow down a bit and many people stop to take photographs and selfies of this iconic landmark.

Photo Credit Kim Williams - Sterkfontein dam taken with my Samsung Cell Phone. #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO

Photo Credit: Kim Williams - Sterkfontein Dam - just love the blue water and small Islands #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO

I drove through the steep 17,2 km Oliviershoek Pass, its highest point sits at an impressive 1730m. This pass really brings you close to the beauty of the Northern Drakensberg Mountains. You can almost touch the peaks and cliffs.The Amphitheater and Sterkfontein dam combine to create one of the most scenic drives in South Africa, a real treat if you have the time. This pass is often used as an alternative route to Van Reenen's pass on the N3, which is the main road from Jozi to Durban, should it be closed during heavy snow or maintenance.

The pass snakes it way between the borders of KZN and the Free State. It was along this very same pass that on the 19th October 1837, Piet Retief and his trek party made their climb into the Drakensberg. I passed two other well known iconic landmarks the the Phat chef Roadside diner (heard their milkshakes are fantastic) and B&B, the Little Switzerland Restaurants and hotel (you can fill up with fuel here). Before here the road had not been great, but the tarred road looked new and was now in good condition , however the pass is steep so I had to slow down a fair amount. Spotted a few baboons watching the cars driving past.

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photo credit Kim Williams

I arrived in Winterton and stopped at the petrol station near the big Spar. I love the friendly elderly ladies who are petrol attendants there. So epic to see the Gogo's inspiring their communities and providing for their families.

A few minutes drive from the petrol station I arrived at Thokozisa centre.

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I meet up with the Millers and they had a huge problem with their 4x4. It had just had a gearbox/clutch overhaul and the clutch had gone. They could only drive in 4th gear and as a result would have a really difficult time negotiating the road to Injisuthi. We made the decision to leave their bakkie behind in the staff parking. It would be safer and yes we took everything out of their bakkie, except the big bag of cones and extra firewood. We dropped the Jimny's back seats. We fitted 3 big 70l back packs, our night bags, a small braai, firewood, food for the first night at the cabin, Even Wendy's pillows which were used to make a comfier seat of sorts, as we squeezed her into a spot behind Ian. Luckily she is a rather little person. The drive was around an hour or so and we made it to Injisuthi in one piece and had the afternoon to sort out our kit and dinner. What a start to what was going to be a memorable adventure.

Photo Credit Kim Williams: Wendy very proud of our handy work - we even had space for more!! Amazing what you can fit in under and behind seats, and in all the spaces! #mafadi #injisuthi #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Many people seem divided as to when is the best time to climb Mafadi. It really would depend on many things and most importantly, the experience of the team, if you like to climb in the cold, the snow or heat. The real complication is well... the Drakensberg weather, it is always unpredictable, that you can always count on. So my advice is to always prepare for the worst and hope for the best. The thing is mountains at this level have a mind of their own, dictate their own weather patterns and will dump it on you when she feels like it. So always be prepared. I have taken a tent with and on other occasions we slept in huts or shelters/Caves. Its not often you can sleep out in the open under the stars. I always take my emergency storm shelter/tent with (400g) just in case that my mate Sam Worley, a doctor from the Uk, sent back to SA for me as a gift. Sam had worked for several months on the response car in the inner city with me.

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Photo Credit: Kim Williams: My son Jordan walking into the thick mist in Injisuthi - July - #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #Nikon #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Rough guide: Winter - May to end August - obviously a higher chance of snow, ice and frost, with it comes sub-zero temperatures during the night. Nights and days are generally clear. But the wind always pumps up there, especially during the night and usually eases up as daylight approaches, but not always!!

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Photo Credit: Kim Williams: My son Jordan and I in Injisuthi - July - even the blades of grass were frozen! #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #Nikon #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Summer - November to March with higher day temperatures and cooler evenings and its notorious afternoon thunderstorms, bringing rain which creates far more dramatic waterfalls and everything turns green. Beautiful time of the year for wild flowers. Hiking in the berg as a kid we always had one very important rule, you needed to be in camp or at least making your way back to base or camp by 14h00 or you would be caught out in the open during a thunderstorm. Not something you want to do no matter how big you think your gonads are!

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Photo Credit: Kim Williams Nikon - iced flower early April morning at Centenary Hut #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Spring - September to October has high rainfall with moderate temperatures. It becomes a landscape photographers dream, with all the dramatic colour contrasts of the golden red browns of winter and the yellow and emerald greens of summer.

Photo credit: Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix: April is filled with the orange Lions ear plant or its local name Wild Dagga - a feast for the sun-birds #adventurewithap#MalutiMountains #MalotiMountainsurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO

Autumn - Mid March to April - the most stable weather patterns occur now and its one of the more popular times to hike the berg. Almost no rain falls and really great temperatures prevail to create beautiful sunsets and bonfires around the main Injisuthi camp. Please note no fires are permitted on hikes, in the caves or anywhere in the reserve. Please do not be a chop and follow the rules. Run away fires are devastating. There is a big difference in controlled planned burns to help rejuvenate parts of the ecology and some of the plant seeds which need heat to burst open and "free"their seeds. All cooking to be done on your gas hiking stoves and wear warm clothing!

Photo Credit: Kim Williams : A real dry wintry sight greeted us. There had been many controlled burns on the reserve that we spotted on the way in. It is a very long time ago that I saw so much of the lower Injisuthi blackened - it looked barren and desolate. We were glad to find spots not burnt!#adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Photo Credit: Kim Williams - the area around the Huts - the electricity comes on for a limited time, as it gets dark and switches off at around 22h00. The hot water is piping hot , which is heated by gas. Every time you switch on the hot water tap in the bath, it fires up rather loudly and I nearly poop myself each time. No plug points, television or radio. The perfect place to escape. #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Photo Credit: Kim Williams - the sun dropping and it was time to braai our steaks and have a glass of wine. Wendy loves to pull out all the stops and soon we were eating amazing snacks, Ian's delicious homemade biltong. I had brought along some fruit salad which we also had at breakfast. Then it was time to sleep.#adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

DAY 1 Injisuthi Camp (1500m) to Centenary Hut (2200m) about 10.5km

We woke up early, parked the car and went to the office to fill in the necessary forms. We had pre-booked and pre-paid our sleep over in the caves and filled in our details in the Mountain Rescue register as well as paid our park fees. It is really important to fill in the register and write in where you are going, how long you will be gone for and your car details. Your car is parked in a special parking allocated for the hikers. If you are not back in time stipulated, then a rescue mission can be initiated if necessary.

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Photo Credit: Kim Williams this photo was taken in July: Yipe we were going up there Avante Tute, its a pretty hectic climb #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #AvanteTute #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

We walked to the bridge and instead of turning right to follow the normal trails we crossed over and turned off to a steep path on the opposite side of Poaches stream. The whole area had been burnt, the ash and blackened vegetation covered us. My hands were black. I started to cramp a bit, my plantar was playing up and this was not the ideal way to warm up starting at a very steep incline and in some places rather vertical and very exposed with some hectic drops and edges. I did not look down too much, even though this was not as hectic as the first time Jordan and I climbed this trail, in the rain and heavy mist. We had to scramble a fair amount and Ian had to pull me up once or twice when I got a bit stuck. We got to the first wooden ladder and then up the chain ladder - a chain hanging down over some rocks! It was really challenging with the heavy backpacks and the cramping feet and calves. I was glad to be at the top with Wendy in front of me yelling back down which was the more stable side of the trail. With the vegetation burnt many of the rocks were now loose and the usual tufts of grass we would normally hang onto had burnt away.

Photo Credit Wendy Miller - up the Avante Tute.#adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #AventeTute #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Making our way up the Avante Tute!! These photos don't do justice as to just how steep it really is and you can see how much of the vegetation and hand/foot holds are burnt away. loosing your balance or grip would end up rather messy!

Wendy took these really great photos with her cell phone and this one above gives you a better idea as to what the terrain looked like. Note how burnt the vegetation is and how sandy it had become as a result.

Photo Credit: Wendy Miller - me tackling the wooden ladder - up the Avante Tute- much easier than the chain and rock ladder later!#adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Photo Credit Kim Williams - Nikon coolpix: Wendy and Ian at the top of the Ridge where weathered basalt shoes typical concentric 'onion skin' weathering.#adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon coolpix: A really spectacular view of the basaltic cliffs. The majestic escarpment including the Trojan Wall, Injisuthi Triplets and Champagne Castle to the far north presented an amazing display.There are two main landscapes domains: the high Berg which is made of of more easily weathered lavs and then the Little Berg which is topped mostly by massive ramparts of colourful sandstone which is often a greyish colour due to lichen cover. you can see the river below where the more traditional rails to many of the day hikes take as well as the path to Mafadi. #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Photo Credit Wendy Miller - top of the Intanahlana Ridge #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Finally we were on top of Intanahlana Ridge with the Barrier of Spears in the background. I must admit I was rather happy that rough bit of the Avante Tute was over. This is the second time I have come up this steep section and both times I had a heavy pack. I am so looking forward to going back and tackling it with just a small day pack!!

We stopped on the ridge away from the howling wind for a snack and a breather. The views just go on forever. We have such incredible mountains and views that you need not spend a fortune travelling overseas for extreme mountain adventures, we have them right here in our back garden! A really clear photo of the Barrier of Spears!

Photo Credit Wendy Miller - top of the Intanahlana Ridge looking down Injisuthi valley #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

The Drakensberg Escarpment is a rugged mountain range more than 300km long. It separates the rolling hills of Kwa-Zulu Natal from the highlands of Lesotho where it is called the Maloti Mountains. It is the highest and longest unbroken mountain range in South Africa reaching heights of over 3 000m.

Pit stop with a view! Drakensberg lava is a approximately 800m thick basalt sequence consisting of countless stacked lava flows which can vary from 30cm to 20cm in thickness. interesting to note that all the basalt lava flows are typically amygdaloidal meaning they contain small cavities filled with mineral deposits something you will find all over the Berg and we found many up and down the steep passes. Photo Credit Wendy Miller - top of the Intanahlana Ridge looking down Injisuthi valley #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix - Wendy on top of the Intanahlana Ridge walking along the jeep trail. #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix - the views from the top of the Intanahlana Ridge walking along the jeep trail. #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

We spotted several vultures and we were entertained for some time as what seemed to be a mummy vulture teaching her youngsters the art of flying and gliding. Swooping down low over the grasslands and then gliding down into the valleys below. It was really special to watch them in their natural habitat without our human interference.

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix - great shot of the jeep trails, this was the only really even bit, the rest was hard work on the ankles. #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

There was not much in the line of the usual wild flowers, mostly due to the controlled burning we spotted for as far as the eye could see. This time however it seemed to be the turn of the yellow flowers which really looked dramatically beautiful against the blacked ground and emerald green new shoots of grass.

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix - Jeep track which if you carry on arrives at Giants Castle #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

The landscape was really contrasted with the wintry browns and the sudden arrival of green shoots from the burnt areas. Injisuthi is probably one of the best preserved areas in the uKhalamba/ Drakensberg Park, proclaimed as a wilderness area and also known as a World Heritage Site with only one, quite daunting access road to the ranger station which we were walking on.

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon coolpix. The beautiful wintry grasslands of the Little Berg. The foothills of the mountains lie below 2 000 metres and consist largely of undulating grassy slopes, valleys and gorges, cut by numerous cold mountain streams and rivers. A variety of antelope, particularly mountain reedbuck and eland, as well as troops of baboons are found on the lower slopes, while the bird life is prolific. #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

We spotted a group of smugglers lower down on the other side of the old rangers hut. They had large hessian bags on their backs and were coming down into the valley. When they spotted us, they crouched down for some time. Once we started to walk along they got up and made their way in the opposite direction. Apparently they smuggle dagga/weed across from Lesotho. We also spotted a herd of Eland on the grassy slopes.

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix Selfie #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix Selfie #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains our group selfie!

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

It was a clear day, bit on the cold side with intermediate strong winds. The sky was very blue and clear. This however can change in minutes and without much warning the weather turns on you from, storms, hail, snow and white outs, but for now we were thoroughly enjoying our moment in the sun!

Always love this path as it means we are getting closer to our overnight spot at Centenary hut!!

In the Drakensberg hard volcanic rocks overlie soft sedimentary rocks. These volcanic rocks form the near vertical wall reaching 1600m in height. The elevations of this section of the escarpment in the far distance bordering Lesotho is much higher than elsewhere (3000m) because of the presence of large remnants of an ancient, much older land surface formed by the basalt lavas which I mentioned earlier to create the spectacular Maluti/Maloti Mountains.

The final leg along the contour path and long grass to Centenary hut. Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

When we arrived the hut was a bit dirty from the previous hikers. We had to sweep it out and collect all their rubbish to bury what we could not take back in our own bags. I never understand why people cannot take their rubbish back with them. You carried what was in the wrapper all the way here, then ate the contents making the wrapper much lighter. JUST TAKE YOUR FLIPPEN RUBBISH BACK PEOPLE!

My room for the night! Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

The kitchen after we gave the counter top a good clean Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Views from Centenary Hut as the long shadows of the sinking sun play. Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

The afternoon shadows were starting to warn of a soon fading light and the temperature started to drop rather dramatically. We were in for a rather chilly and very windy night.

Another epic fail in the perfect selfie!! Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

The beautiful golds of winter and contrast of new green shoots. In the distance was Ian coming back from collecting water for our dinner and breakfast. Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Winter skies and landscape around Centenary hut - Centenary hut in the backround.Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Winter skies and landscape around Centenary hut Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Back at the hut, there is a really nice spot where the wall curves to form a small courtyard of sorts, which is great for a wash and throwing on your PJ's.

Spot were we shop!! Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Sunset time at Centenary hut - Injisuthi Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Full-moon at Sunset time at Centenary hut - Injisuthi Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Dinner time - preparing our dinner - Centenary hut - photo fun Photo Credit Wendy Miller #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Dinner time - preparing our dinner and hot chocolate - Centenary hut
Photo Credit Kim Williams Samsung Cell Phone#adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

A bit of camera fun with the sunset before dinner! Winter skies and landscape around Centenary hut Photo Credit Kim Williams Samsung #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Camera fun with the Winter skies and landscape around Centenary hut Photo Credit Kim Williams Samsung #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

The berg always offers incredible sunsets and sunrises - Camera fun with the Winter skies and landscape around Centenary hut Photo Credit Kim Williams Samsung #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Camera fun with the Winter skies and landscape around Centenary hut. Photo Credit Kim Williams Samsung #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Breakfast oats on the brew in Centenary hut Photo Credit Wendy Miller #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Day 2 Centenary hut via Judges pass (3050m)to Upper Injisuthi Cave

( 3300m) 13 km.

The wind had howled the whole night and several times I thought the hut was about to be blown away. I was awake most of the night. The hut creaked and the wind battered it all night with a storm and a small shower of hail. We had breakfast and had to start looking at possibly abandoning the summit attempt for my 3rd time. The mist was thick and the wind was howling, strong enough to blow us off our feet, not something you want while we were scrambling up Judges pass with our heavy packs, a recipe for disaster. We decided to wait it out and see what happens and if need be stay another night here. As suddenly as the weather appeared to be all doom and gloom the mist lifted, the sun was warming things up and the wind was being reasonable. But it meant we had a late start and me being a bit of a tortoise at the best of times and the bulging discs (slipped discs in layman's terms!) in my lower back not helping, it meant we would be taking a bit of a chance that we would make it to Upper Injisuthi Cave before nightfall.

Leaving Centenary hut behind and taking the steep direct slog up Photo Credit Wendy Miller #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Leaving Centenary hut and taking the steep direct slog up to the contour path leading to Judges pass - man that was tough in the cross winds. Photo Credit Wendy Miller #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Winter skies and landscape now high above Centenary hut Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

High above Centenary hut, a hut in the middle of nowhere! Photo taken while being attacked by the howling wind! Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

We walked up the steep embankment to the start of the contour path. We followed this path in a southerly direction, this path eventually leads to Giants Caste.

Wendy being blasted by the wind as we made our way along the contour path to the base of Judges pass. You can see how the long grass is lying flattened and in the top right corner is Ian.
Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

The extensive volcanic eruptions that occurred some 182 million years ago resulted in the accumulation of a pile of lava locally more than 1600m thick. This lava filed was extensive and is thought to have covered most of Southern Africa and completely buried the former sand desert. Most of this lave has been removed by erosion, but what remains forms the high mountains of Lesotho and our playground.

We are going there! Big Eish! Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Now why can we not go up this pass? They always look so much easier until you go up them and are hanging on for dear life and you wonder what the hell you are doing this for! Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

The Drakensberg-Maluti range is one of the best examples on the planet of erosional mountains. It is also the last remnant of the vast basalt plain that once covered the center of Gondwana, an ancient relic, shrinking inexorably as rivers ate into it on all side. Pretty epic I would say and worth preserving! The incredibly breathtaking majestic grandeur of the range leaves you in jaw dropping awe and standing here taking it all in it is not wonder that the dramatic landscape has earned the 200km long uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site status - uKhahlamba is a Zulu word meaning Barrier of Spears.

The leader of the pack and our Mafadi Expedition, Ian Miller! Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Before the break-up of Gondwana, the Lesotho mountain plateau at the top of the Drakensberg was part of a peneplain (a more or less level land surface produced by erosion over a long period, undisturbed by crustal movement) of continental dimension standing much lower that it is now. The great escarpment has withdrawn over 150 km from the present coastline and the rate of erosion of the Drakensberg is said to average 1.5 m per 1000 years of 1.5 mm per year.

The wind had its moments of gusting us almost off our feet and we took time to rest at the bottom of Corners Pass. This is also a rather step pass and not one to tackle during winter with all the ice. A rope is needed to pull the back packs up and at times you may need to pull up a hiker, none the less it is a really stunning pass and a quicker route to Mafadi.

Corner Pass the more direct route to Mafadi, this time around we were tackling the more traditional route of up the hectic Judges and down the very challenging Leslie's pass, both these passes were on by bucket list, so it was balls to wall to bag these two! Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #cornerpass

We finally arrived at our gateway to the escarpment, Judges pass. Standing at the foot looking up its one hell of a pass to tackle and from the bottom to the the top we will climb up a whole 1000 m in some 3.5 km.

Taking a break at the bottom of Judges pass looking down over the valley. Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass

Judges Pass behind us. Photo Credit Wendy Miller #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass

With heavy packs weighting us down and a bit tired from fighting winds we would have to us a fair amount of energy to push ourselves through the blades of the Barrier of Spears up onto the escarpment which would find us in the Kingdom of Lesotho. It was both terrifying and exhilarating!

Wendy at the bottom of Judges pass looking up at the monster pass! Photo Credit Wendy Miller #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix - Judges Pass #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass

The going was tough and we had to reach up, traverse and boulder across a lot of fallen rocks and balance on loose scree (an accumulation of bits of broken rock fragments found at the base of crags, mountain cliffs, volcanoes or valley shoulders).

On the "easier" part of the path - Judges Pass -what it doesn't show is the exposure - I would never think about coming down this pass! Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass

As mentioned I am afraid of heights and some sections of Judges pass were terrifying me and at one point I got myself in a spot and could not move up or down. I was stuck and just could not reach up and over the rock wall. I just hung on for dear life and had to breath. I just could not pull myself up the huge rock as part of my backpack seemed hooked on something and was sure I was going to fall to my death if I was lucky, as a fall here would be very messy and would most definitely result in terrible pain for hours on end or a very slow death, while waiting for a helicopter rescue swatting off the circling vultures. You are in the middle of nowhere, with no cell phone reception. It would mean one of the party would have to hike back until base camp or until by some miracle, cell phone reception was back. There are only a few spots that have reception. I yelled out to Ian who came back down to pull me up by my back pack. I collected several 'roasties' and broke many finger nails along "the Judge" as its fondly called. I most definitely left a DNA trail up Judges!

Nearly at the top of Judges pass. Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass

Some of the paths did not seem that bad until you were in them, then it became a whole new ball game. On the really hectic bits clearly no photos were taken as on many occasion I thought that judgement day had arrived on several occasions. Next time I do this I will have my Adrenaline Volkano action camera rolling. Will I be back? Hell yes now that I am back down and sitting here in-front of my computer.

Storm clouds building along Judges pass making great photos but not really what you want to see while still a distance from your overnight camp. Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass

They say a picture speaks a thousand words.Every now and then when I was sure that I would not fall to my death and judgement day, I took a few seconds to take it all in and a rare photo at an odd angle, (truth be told I was to scared to look into the camera in case I lost my balance and fell to certain death), the huge towering cliffs that surrounded us, while listening to the birds chirping and the wind whistling though the gaps in the impressive rocks. Judges Pass. Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix - Judges Pass. #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass

The three of us had climbed (okay I had crawled up continuously repeating many Hail Mary's) and scrambled up a rather exciting and grueling 1030m to the top and onto the escarpment. Standing at the top of Judges I truly felt as if I was on top of the world, beside the fact that I was in one piece. I felt in that moment I had achieved so much that my heart swelled up with pride and I felt immensely satisfied and thrilled to be alive. As I looked around and down the pass I was rewarded with such breathtaking views from the edge. I could not wait for the sunset we would be treated to later and hopefully we would make the cave before this would happen. I was looking forward to the sunrise from our cave, something I had wanted to experiences for a very long time. it was on my bucket list!!

Wendy standing at the top of Judges - a photo speaks a thousand words.

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix - top of Judges pass #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass

A very tired and happy me at the top of Judges Pass Cairn Photo Credit Wendy Miller #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass

Just in case you missed the first photo here is another of a very tired and happy me at the top of Judges Pass Cairn Photo Credit Wendy Miller #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass

Wendy and I at the top of Judges Pass Cairn Photo Credit Wendy Miller #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix In on top of another summit along the way - you can see him holding up his GPS to find the highest point! #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #khulu

Ian ran up one of the peaks to bag another summit - one of the khulus which is a peak in the Drakensberg that sit at over 3300 metres above sea level. (show off - Ian and Wendy are machines - super fit from their hectic cycling) while Wendy and I started to walk along the uneven path towards upper injisuthi cave. For interest sake regarding the Khulus, there are dozens of them. If you go to the Mountain Backpackers Club Website,
http://www.mountainbackpackers.co.za/khulu-challenge-description-and-rules.html
you will find more details on this epic challenge. They are the mountain dudes that that initiated this great South African Khulu Challenge back in 2011. The competition requires that you summit all 27 peaks. Its really awesome to note that all the peaks are walk-able and that no technical climbing is required.

It is actually quite a long and unexpected slog that never seemed to end , especially when tired and all you want is your bed, kick off your boots and to put your feet up! We are often misguided in thinking that once you had reached the top that was it, but Mother nature can be rather rude at times and we still had to work hard to our overnight stay. Upper Injisuthi Summit Cave is actually the highest cave in the Drakensberg at an altitude of 3 300 m making it the highest cave to overnight in. I was super excited to be sleeping in it and could not wait another bucket list realization!

We found a partially frozen stream and took a lunch break here. There had been a bit of rubbish thrown in from the Basotho herders, which were sitting up on the ridge burning some of the bushes. A few of the sheep has also been drinking from here so we needed to get water a bit further up the stream to ensure it was clean and not contaminated - we had brought along purifying tablets and I had a tampon to use as a filter - before you shudder in horror, pulling the cotton wool apart to loosen it a bit then pouring water through it filters the water, I am sure Bear Grylls would be super impressed. Incidentally tampons when coated with Vaseline (petroleum jelly people duh!) make great fire lighters, I'm just saying! however please remember do not light any fires in the reserve only back at base camp - Injisuthi camp.

While we were sitting here we watched a few raptures dancing in the sky when suddenly a rather large white glider appeared over the ridge and swooped down past us. It was really incredible to be sitting up here in nature and all of a sudden man had intruded. .Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix Near Mafadi and Upper Injisuthi Cave #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Ian and Wendy packing out lunch it the best spot ever! Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Iced Streams - was so excited that we could stop here for lunch. What such incredible beauty!
Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Spectacular cloud formations against the bluest of skies, at the end of the ridge is the huge basalt wall and drop. We were having lunch on top of the escarpment. Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Wendy filling up water bottles of fresh, icy cold Drakensberg water - what a privilege it is to be able to drink water in its purest form. Note to Wendy's left (left hand) you can see the ice formed on the small pool of water. Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix - okay so I went a bit moggie taking lots of photos - blame it on the altitude #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

In this photo you can spot the spoor/track of sheep and herding dogs in the river sand Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

The herders also watched as their cattle and sheep grazed on the short grass about 200 m from us. We also spotted several dog paw prints once we were back on the trail and in the distance we could see the dogs, they are huge and I was pleased we did not have any close encounters with them. As we moved up the ridge towards the cave the herders moved off back over the Lesotho border to find shelter for the night pretty much what we were about to do.

With still a fair amount of light left, we finally made it to the cave. It was huge and had a large mouth that created a really neat and cosy abode for the night. The cave has a large chamber, then a few smaller ones as well as many small tunnels that we would soon find out housed a few of the little critters of the drakensberg.

There is a tradition of laying down thatch/straw to lie on and I was very happy to see that on our sleeping spots there was indeed a thick layer of straw which we would throw our groundsheets over, followed by our mats, then sleeping bags. Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Ian went off to collect water while Wendy and I prepared our "pozzie". Straw is laid down in the areas that hikers would sleep on. With the fading light, we had to work quickly to set everything out. Wendy is an expert at setting up camp, she should run workshops!

Finally an epic buck-list event to tick off. My high-berg Upper Injisuthi sunset. WOW. Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Finally I got my Bucket List wish - a sunset from upper Injisuthi cave. What a privilege WOW! I cannot begin to explain how excited and exhausted I was!

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix - Sunset from Upper Injisuthi Cave #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Ian had just got back when we could hear the calls of a jackal and its babies. The hikers over the years have built up a bit of a rock wall to keep the wind at bay and we could see the mom's big ears and little head peering over into the cave. Clearly they had been using the cave as their home and as nightfall approached she had come back to settle in for the night and found us here. She cried out a few times then her and her cubs moved to one of the outside tunnels and for a while we could hear the echos of their cries and movement deep in the cave. It was such an incredible privilege to have witnessed this and I could not help but feel a little guilty that we had intruded on her little life. however I was not about to sleep out in the open on top of the escarpment, luckily the cave and its "catacombs" are huge and many so we could all co-habitat.

Then of course a little camera fun with the sunset from Upper Injisuthi Cave - it gives you an idea on how wide the mouth of the cave is. Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

We were treated to an unbelievable sunset of pinks and lilacs. The mist started to roll in and of course with it the howling berg winds. The mist lifted and we had a really clear night. I was so surprised that even though we were so deep in the wilderness we could still see the lights of the villages and little towns dotted around far below us. We could also see several fires snaking their way along the valleys. Soon several people with head torches and vehicles moving at speed responding to the fires and panic seemed to have set in as we watched. We later found out that the fires got really close to Injisuthi camp, where our car was parked. Ian told me about the time when the rangers had to drag the parked hikers cars with ropes and tractors, when the fire came into camp. Luckily our cars were safe this time. So tonight I got to sleep in Injisuthi cave, watch a sunset - tomorrow a sunrise - and watch the nightlife down below. It was pretty epic.

My alcove kitchen which was visited by the mountain rats. Upper Injisuthi Cave. Photo Credit Kim Williams #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Ian cooking his and Wendy's dinner of noodles! Upper Injisuthi Cave. Photo Credit Wendy Miller #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

My room with a view - I had nodded of already!! Upper Injisuthi Cave. Photo Credit Wendy Miller #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Photo Credit Wendy Miller - upper Injisuthi Cave #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

I was really tired and after eating - I was not very hungry - I fell asleep to be woken up by my pot falling. Ian and Wendy burst out laughing as a huge rat was sitting in my pot with its massage butt hanging out, probably its rat balls!. It had knocked the lid off. I am not really a fan of rats and during the night I was woken up a few times with them running around me and even over me. This was the first time that Ian had seen rats here, they were however the wilder mountain rats not the ones we find downtown Johannesburg.

Photo Credit Wendy Miller - Dinner is served Upper Injisuthi Cave #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Photo Credit Wendy Miller - Upper Injisuthi Cave #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Great cup of Coffee, snug in my sleeping bag and time to watch the sunrise from my bed in the cave! Pretty epic I would say. Upper Injisuthi Cave. Photo Credit Wendy Miller #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

I woke up in the morning to ask Wendy and Ian to look at what is sleeping on me. I could feel something heavy. It was a flippen rat that had taken up residence on my sleeping bag for the night. Cheeky bugger. Other than the Jackals and the rats we had no other encounters with wildlife. We had coffee in bed while we watched the sunrise. The wind was blowing once again and after breakfast we made up camp.

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix - Sunrise Upper Injisuthi Camp #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Day 3: Upper Injasuthi Cave - Leslie’s Pass (about 15km)

Thankfully the wind eventually died down enough so we could start our walk to Mafadi. I could taste the summit. I had waited for 3 years to have this incredible moment to stand on the highest point of South Africa. I had twice stood the top of Africa and today I would finally stand on top of South Africa thank you to the efforts of Ian and Wendy Miller. Mafadi peak (3451m) was a short walk from the cave. We made our way up past Injisuthi Dome (3410m) and along the ridge to the flat plateau of Mafadi.

Me walking up towards the plateau of Mafadi behind me my right is Injisuthi Dome (3410m) the second highest point in South Africa Photo Credit Wendy Miller #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Photo Credit Wendy Miller #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Wendy stayed on the ridge, so that we could leave our heavy bags with her. Ian and I made our way to the summit, even though we had beautiful clear blue skies the wind was pumping. Ian used his GPS to find the highest spot and we marked it as such.

Ian on the summit of Mafadi checking the GPS readings. Mafadi 3458m Photo Credit Kim Williams Samsung #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

I am final on top of the highest point in South Africa - Mafadi. My first Mafadi selfie. Mafadi 3458m Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Photo Credit Kim Williams Mafadi 3458m#Mafadi #Injisuthi
#Adventurekimcom

Photo Credit Kim Williams #Mafadi
Mafadi 3458m#Adventurekimcom

Photo Credit Ian Miller Samsung Mafadi 3458m #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Note the full moon behind me. I am holding my pink Adventure with a Purpose flag. Mafadi 3458m Photo Credit Ian Miller Samsung #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Finally Mafadi was in the bag third time lucky!! Its registered at 3451m but we got 3458m. At 3451m Mafadi equals three Table Mountains on top of each other. We took our photos and video footage of both of us holding onto our South African flag (this flag has been on the top of Kilimanjaro twice, Mt Elbrus in Russia, Mt Anios - European ultra - Kefalonia, Barcelona Spain, with me on the 9 Peaks, Italy and on a few SA high points) and my pink Adventure with a Purpose flag (Russia, Greece, 9 Peaks).

Note the full moon behind me. Mafadi 3458m Photo Credit Ian Miller Samsung Mafadi 3458m #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Photo Credit Ian Miller Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Photo Credit Ian Miller Nikon Coolpix Mafadi 3458m #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Note the full moon behind Ian Miller on the summit of Mafadi 3458m. Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix. Ian Miller on top of Mafadi 3458m #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

An awful selfie of me - big Eish, but who gives a shit, its on Mafadi at 3458m nogal!!. Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix Ian Miller on Mafadi 3458m #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon
Coolpix Ian Miller on Mafadi 3458m

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix. Ian Miller on Mafadi 3458m #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

...and last one I promise. Me on Mafadi 3458m, The highest point in South Africa. Whooopi! Photo Credit Ian Miller Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Photo Credit Ian miller Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix Ian Miller #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Wendy Miller and I. You can see the real Mafadi in the background!! Photo Credit Photo Credit Ian Miller using Volkano Adrenaline Action Camera #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

We then made our way along the ridge and came across a very large cairn that another team taking part in the SA 9 Peaks challenge had built. They they had put a plaque up saying Mafadi, but they were a bit off the mark. This did prove however, that other people had in fact been climbing the 9 peaks a lot longer than others, who claim to be the first had been. The SA 9 Peaks are the highest points/peaks on each of the 9 Provinces. The 9 provinces where formed in back 1994. I would love to find out who the first person/people where that attempted and/or completed the 9 Peaks between 1994 and 2008/9. Social media was not as it is today and as such those recorded moments may never be found and they more than likely climbed for pure enjoyment and personal achievement, not for ego or glory as it has now become.

Standing at the false Mafadi summit cairn. Photo Credit Ian Miller using Volkano Adrenaline Action Camera #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

Photo Credit Ian Miller who found this flag still in excellent condition in December 2008 on a large Cairn near Mafadi. Another flag but rather weathered was found on Seweweekspoort the highest peak in the Western Cape and part of the now popular SA 9 Peaks Challenge. This proves that other people had already come up with the idea and were tackling the 9 peaks long before others who are claiming to be the first and to have originally come up with the idea. These mountains are our heritage and open to all South Africans who want to climb it - tackling it their way.

Ian and Wendy Miller actually found this cairn with a flag stuck on back in 2008. Another young man doing the 9 peaks found the same flag recently, a bit weathered on Seweweekspoort, the highest point in the Western Cape. I guess people need to be careful and very sure when they claim to be the so called first or that they came up with the original idea of the SA 9 Peaks. Some climb mountains for pure enjoyment and the physical challenge it offers, while others climb for ego and accolades. Each to there own,but I have recently come to realize that there are some really nasty people within the hiking circles,that need to prove their worth. That seem to have lost the plot and aim to tear others down who try to educate and showcase what our beautiful country has to offer. Very sad but they are the ones who have to live with themselves and their spin.

Photo Credit Photo Credit Photo Credit Ian Miller using Volkano Adrenaline Action #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #judgespass #Khulu #upperInjisuthiCave

We walked along the top of the wall and along the Dragons Spine. Every now and then I got a little brave and peered down some of the really hectic passes. These were very technical and some I am not sure if they can be climbed up.

As was the case yesterday,we could hear the bells from the cattle and sheep ringing in the valleys, the sound carrying across the mountains. Every now and then I thought we might bump into Heidi and her mountain goats or Julie Andrews and singalong "the mountains are filled with the sound of music"! We were walking quiet literally on the boards of SA and Lesotho. The views of the Greater and Lesser Injisuthi Buttresses are remarkable. Walking along the Dragons spine and along the top of the Trojan wall have been long on my bucket list dreams and finally I was actually here, walking with the Dragon.

I love this shot, it gives you an idea of how high we are as we look down from the top of the Drakensberg Mountains along the top of the wall. Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #Lesliespass #Khulu

We stopped for a snack break just before the opening that heralded the start of Leslie's pass which sits at a impressive 3050m . This is a hectic pass to come down and in a short hair raising 3km we will descend an impressive 1200m. Some of the parts of Leslie's pass had been taken out by a recent rock slide. This pass is a long and rough hike and takes several hours to complete. from the top of Leslie's down the pass then traversing along the contour paths and following the three hills, then finally down to Leslie's camp site below. From the top of Leslie's pass back down to Injisuthi main camp site via Marble Baths, we would have descended a whole 1670 m in about 12 hours. Pretty impressive I would say.

Wendy and I coming down Leslie's pass - again the photo does not do justice as to how steep and uneven the paths are. Photo Credit Ian Miller using Volkano Adrenaline Action camera #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

Photo Credit Ian Miller using Volkano Adrenaline Action camera #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

Slowly does it down the steep Leslie's Pass. This gives you a better idea of the steepness.
Photo Credit Ian Miller using Volkano Adrenaline Action camera #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

Coming down the pass you are surrounded by huge towering basalt walls. Most of the time you have to concentrate so hard not to wipe while carefully watching every step that you make that taking the views in is not always an option! Photo Credit Ian Miller using Volkano Adrenaline Action camera #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

We had to do a lot of scrambling over boulders and side step many stiff shrubs that rip at your skin and clothes. In some parts of the path we had no choice but to just sit on our butts and slide down to avoid going over the edge. I was so impressed that my First Ascent hiking pants did not tear, they still looked new! I took a bit of a tumble and hit my left arm on a rock, rather that than my head! I gave myself such a "lamie", initially my arm could not move much and I was worried I might have broken it, but I was relieved that I had not gone over head first. I was using my son's much bigger pack and really battled to get it balanced right. It kept wobbling all over the place and coming down Leslie's I was so off balance that I was moving a lot slower than I wanted to. Thank goodness my arm improved enough that I was able do use it effectively despite a bit of discomfort from time to time.

You can just make me out with the orange top to the right of the photo, this gives you the proportions of just how big some of the boulders we had to negotiate around and over.
Photo Credit Ian Miller using Volkano Adrenaline Action camera #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

The huge rounded peak sticking out to the right was shaped like a sitting baboon. We could see a clear silhouette of the baboon as it stood guard over us at our camp at the bottom of Leslie's Pass
Photo Credit Ian Miller using Volkano Adrenaline Action camera #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

We were going to stop at the stream crossing for lunch. Ian went on ahead of us and dropped off his pack. He then came back up and carried my pack for about the last 100 m. He said the pack was terrible and horribly off balance. We tried again to fix it and we seemed to get it to be a bit more stable. During the trip I had repacked and adjusted the pack several times to no avail. My son Jordan finds this pack very comfortable and supports his back, but I was not having the same luck and wanted to kick myself for not using my ladies, smaller pack. I really struggle to get my backpacks to fit comfortably as well as find the perfect pair of hiking boots!!

We stopped at the river crossing to refill our water bottles and to eat our lunch before we crossed over the boulders and climbed up to the step grassy path and up onto the exposed contour lines. My pack was sitting a bit better after some more readjusting, because of the over exposure I lent to my left so if I lost my footing I would fall into the embankment and not roll down the drop.

Photo Credit Ian Miller using Volkano Adrenaline Action camera#adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

We followed the steep contour narrow foot trail. It was hard work with grass getting tangled around your feet and very steep exposure on our right. The mountains surrounding us were huge and we felt very small in the bigger picture!

The shadows from the towering mountains almost hiking Wendy and I along the contour path.
Photo Credit Ian Miller using Volkano Adrenaline Action camera #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

We were now walking along the top of the 3 hills. The exposure here was not so bad and the path was a bit wider which allowed us to pick up some speed and catch up on time we lost coming down Leslie's Pass. Photo Credit Photo Credit Photo Credit Ian Miller using Volkano Adrenaline Action camera #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

We had followed the crude contour paths along the mountains to the right. Photo Credit Ian Miller using Volkano Adrenaline Action Camera #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

Photo Credit Ian Miller using Volkano Adrenaline Action camera #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

Once we had come down the last of the three grassy narrow ridges,we had to sit down and slide once again on our butts,as the last stretch was very steep and parts of the paths seems to have been washed away. it was a bit more comfortable here and less exposed. We had picked up speed and made our way back down to Leslie's Camp site.

What an amazing experience to sleep out in the upon under the stars with a full moon during Winter at the bottom of Leslie's Pass. Photo Credit Wendy Miller #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

Dirty hands and blisters on my feet covered with duck tape. Photo Credit Wendy Miller #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

After dinner we lay in our sleeping bags, drinking hot chocolate and looked up at the stars. The sky was incredibly clear and we had a very bright full moon that lite up the camp like our own personal night light. The huge Ape Rock towered over us and as already mentioned it looked more like a huge male baboon doing a great King Kong impersonation, sitting above us, you could make out the shapes of its hind legs. It even had ears on either side of its head. It was incredible to think that here we were in winter, camping out in the open. We were warm, well feed and it was time to hit the sack. I could hear the putter patter of little feet on my mat from time to time. The little field mice had come to play. Working in the inner city slums I have treated many children with rat bits on their faces so I was a little worried I would fall pray to some rodent who might like my large nose to snack on so I buried myself inside my sleeping bag and eventually fell asleep waking up every-now and then when I could hear a rustle in the long grass or as a gentle breeze moved the vegetation around us. Some chops had made a camp fire which we buried and covered up. Think people!!

Day 4 Lesley's camp to Marble Baths (1800m) back to Injisuthi Camp (12km)

Jeez I look knackered and my face a swollen but love this photo Wendy took none the less, the sun-rising and the backdrop is just breathtaking. Photo Credit Wendy miller. #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

We got up before the sunrise, had our breakfast and made up camp. We still had a bit of a challenging walk along the river bed over boulders to negotiate before we got to Marble Baths. We had planned to sleep our last night in Marble Baths caves but did not want to negotiate the paths in the dark and risk a twisted ankle and with the great weather we had last night camping at the bottom of Leslie's pass was the right choice and another bucket list for me to sleep out in the open under the stars in the Drakensberg, the full moon was an added bonus.

Ian was doing a fantastic job in navigating the newly made path that avoids the walk along the uneven riverbed which is rather natorious and was the only root for many years between Leslie's pass camp and Marble Baths.
#adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

Ian had heard that a new path had been made and that it was well used and would be easy to find. We found the path and it was fantastic. It kept to the left of the river bed the whole way to Marble baths, this path cuts the time in half and within 1 1/2 hours we were at Marble baths as the group ahead of us were waking up and preparing breakfast in their camp. We stopped for a while to chat to the group. They had also climbed Mafadi and were making a little documentary of their trip for their own hiking club.

Ian and I standing by one of the many large Cycads we found along the way. We were treated to a magnificent sunrise. The bush we walked through was a little damp and it was really chilly, but is soon warmed up. Photo Credit Wendy Miller #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

Wendy at Marble Baths Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon Coolpix. #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

Marble Baths Injisuthi Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon coolpix. #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

Marble Baths Injisuthi Photo Credit Wendy Miller #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

I was super excited to be finally at Marble Baths. My uncle had frequented this place for most of his life and had told me so much about it. I had always gone on other walks and hikes and this was another Berg Bucket list for me and here I was. I took lots of photos - obviously, and the water was crystal clear, the rock surfaces are so smooth and the many pools are just glorious. The sun was still rising in part and this created amazing sunbeams across the landscape and made the water really sparkle. The water was too cold to take a dip so I will be back. We are planning a trip to overnight in Marble caves and explore the area a bit more. The breathtakingly beautiful natural rock pools here really deserve an overnight stop to take them in and the cave is only about 60 metres up the slope from the pools.

Marble Baths Injisuthi Photo Credit Kim Williams Volkano Adrenaline Action Camera Screenshot #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

n clear weather you will be blessed with awesome views of the peaks and turning into the valley where Marble Baths Cave lies in, you are greeted with a view of the Old Woman Grinding Corn and the Ape and as you round the corner Leslie's Pass lies before you

variety of medium-sized pools and chutes which cut through sandstone bedrock, so there is also plenty of room to stretch out in the sun

The water ran from pool to pool then plunged into the many bigger pools. This placed looked like it belonged in the set of Lord of the Rings. I had such fun filming the water with my action camera. We stopped here for a while to have some snacks and to fill up our water bottles for the final leg to base camp. We planned to arrive before 12h00, shower and head off to Thokozisa centre for lunch and to pick up Ian's bakkie.

The trip from Marble Baths to Injisuthi camps is a very scenic one and meanders along contours down steep embankments into valleys close to the river. The valley was shrouded in mist and the rock formations below looked eiry and I half expected captain hook to bellow out some command to the Lost Boys and Peter Pan!

Marble Baths Injisuthi Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass Ian pointing to a pine tree on the opposite side of the river where Wendy and him had climbed up onto and ring-barked. Wendy and Ian are part of a group of people who volunteer to cut down alien vegetation and clean up the berg for all of us to enjoy.

The rock formation on the right of the photo looks a bit like a cobra ready to strike, my son Jordan and I call this rock "the Sphinx of the Berg! Injisuthi Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

A closer look at our Sphinx of the Drakensberg rock formation. Injisuthi Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

This stretch of trail is known as 'Stacey's path". When my daughter Stacey who was five years old at the time and is now 30, came along with me to see Battle cave, where a treasure trove of San bushman paintings can be found. This was the first but certainly not the last time, she had seen the paintings. She tells me years later this ignited a passion for history and art in her. She is now a high school HOD teacher in History and Art as well as a music teacher and University Lecturer. She has left full time teaching to go back to Wits to complete her second degree, this time in Archaeology and will work up towards her Phd. This is the very path we had our first snake encounter. Two berg adders were well, making baby snakes and I interrupted A green and a brown Berg A Injisuthi Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

This place is fondly called Pixie Forest named after my daughter who is tiny in frame and Pixie is one of her nicknames bestowed on her by her dad, my husband. A great place to rest, in the shade and come winter and summer you will always find some water here to refill your bottles. One year it was a bit low (month of July) and my son Jordan had to do a Bear Grylls move using long sticks to funnel the small trickle of water into our water bottles. The different mosses and ferns here are really a treasure. Injisuthi Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

Selfie in Pixie Forest Drakensberg Injisuthi - Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

Known simply as the Tree in the Rock - this is an iconic Berg landmark that has stood millions of years and a reminder that the end is near , base camp Injisuthi is around the "corner" and hot showers await your arrival. Injisuthi Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains #lesliespass

The huge sandstone cliffs where lots of caves hide from view, and below is an area that my son Jordan and I refer to as the Graveyard. Hundreds of huge rocks are strewn all over this area, it is almost as if a giant in a fit of rage threw his toys out the cot and they landed here. These rocks for me seem to lay tribute to all those souls gone before us, it is an eerie but peaceful place. Injisuthi Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

A close up of the huge sandstone cliffs from the photo above. From a distance the "honeycomb" effect the weathering and erosion has left creates this Ancient Egyptian writing is known as hieroglyphics ('sacred carvings') writing look on the walls. Injisuthi Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Guarding the "graveyard" lies this huge rock that Jordan and I over the years have named Leopard rock. Injisuthi Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

The final crossing over the river then up the embankment to follow the final path along the river to the bridge and hot showers!Injisuthi Photo Credit Kim Williams Nikon coolpix #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

Wendy took this final photo of all our poles and me looking filthy deity but rather chuffed that I had made it up to the top of Mafadi and what an epic 3 nights and 4 days out in our beautiful mountains and country. At that moment nothing except a hot shower would top my feelings!! Injisuthi Photo Credit Wendy Miller #adventurewithapurpose #mafadi #adventurekimcom #drakensberg #injisuthi #hiking #9peaks #ninepeaks #SA9PeaksChallenge #SA9peaks #WorldHeritageSite #UNESCO #MalutiMountains #MalotiMountains

The Team Zodwa Project ™

Member: FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa)
Member: Vincent de Paul Victory Park (St Charles Catholic Church)

Photo Credits: Kim Williams Copyright

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