via ferrata - Magaliesberg Adventure

Magalies via ferrata, South Africa

Ok, so those of you who know me know that I have a fear of heights, actually I think it is more of a fear of not been in control, something I have to be when I work as a paramedic. This is why I love adventures so much as it really takes me out of my comfort zone and throws me into a situation where I am not in control, not in charge but at the mercy of Mother Nature and the elements, something that actually both excites and terrifies me, but none the less brings me back time and time again for that thrill of the unknown. In my job if I give up or fail someone dies and in adventures often its the turning back or "giving up" that keeps you alive and allows you come come back and try again until you succeed. The real adventure is the journey while making your way to the top, if you get there and then back down in one piece to live the tale and sit around the fire place one day telling your captivated audience of little grandchildren how daring and crazy their grandmother was in her day!.

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

How magnificent was the sunrise and cloud formations as we made our way to another urban adventure in Jozi.

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

So it was with all of this in mind that I booked my sister, Tracey - on her birthday I might add - and I for this crazy event and dragged my old friend Vaughn Patterson along who is always game for an adventure, who told his wife that he was "going hiking with Kim". I have known vaughn since 1999 and was his Sports Therapist when he was competing at National level as a Duathlete and has remained very fit an active, I battle to keep up with him!!

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

I fetched my sister and we made off to Vaughn's place. We then drove off to the majestic and ancient Magaliesberg mountains to a spot known as shelter rock close to one of my favorite hiking jaunts Rustig, that offers a range of hikes and some rather tough ones to get the blood going and fitness levels up. We took the N14 and turned off at Pine Haven petrol station and made for the hills.

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

Once in the village of Hekpoort we then drove along the R560 towards Skeerpoort for about 10 kilometres before turning left on the provincial border. Turn left again onto the D401 at the T-junction. The entrance to Shelter Rock (a farm gate) is one kilometre down the road on the right hand side.

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

We were meeting up with Kennedy Tembo from Micro-Adventure Tours . I had meet him previously when I had booked a tour with my daughter to the 1904 Dale Lace mansion, Northwards in Parktown, which incidentally has magnificent views of the Magaliesberg. Kennedy runs several tours in and around Johannesburg, cycle tours as well as hikes up Sani Pass. You can go to his link above to book for your via ferrata adventure. The Via Ferrata is currently closed and the only way to tackle this adventure is through Kennedy. It is very popular and has taken me 2 years to be able to get my spot so don't delay it is well worth

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

Once everyone had arrived, we were briefed by some of the guys from the Mountain Club of SA. Safety was paramount and all the equipment was laid out, checked and checked again, once we had put our harnesses on. We would also be wearing a hard hat which is more for the potential of a loose stone or rock coming down and wacking you on the head, this would not be good. When going up the chances that someone may dislodge a stone with their boots can happen. We also had the option of wearing gloves, but to be honest the problem with the gloves is that they do end up dulling your sensors somewhat and from a personal safety issue I though it would be prudent to go without. From the years of being a Sports Rehabilitation Therapist my hands and grip were not at its best so I did not need any more barriers to feel!. However if we were to abseil back down then I would wear gloves to prevent the rope burn that often happens with abseiling.

Image may contain: 2 people, shoes and indoor

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, standing and hat

It is important to note when you book for your spot on the Via Ferrata Magalies stairway, that it is not recommended for children younger than 10 years of age or anyone that is less than 1.2 metres in height. There is also a maximum weight limit of 120 kilograms.

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

Ok, so where did this idea come from and where did it originate from. So here comes a little history lesson. I was fascinated to find out that the Via ferrata had been around for a long time and was originally used as a stairway anchored to the side of the mountain to move troops rapidly up and over the Alps during the world wars. Via ferrata in Italian actually means Iron Way. It was developed in the Pyrenees by the soldiers.

Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

A little more research and I discovered that there are more than 300 known Via Ferrata routes around the world and its apparently the fastest growing outdoor sport in Europe. The Via Ferrata is made up of ladders, steps, rungs, bridges and cables that help to aid the climbers, allowing even the less experienced climbers to also experience first hand extraordinary views normally only witnessed by experience climbers. Not for the fainthearted though, they offer a rather vertiginous system of metal pathways and bridges which range in length from a few metres to several hundred metres, routes that can be quick or take several hours to complete. In some of the bigger mountain ranges around the world you can even complete linked routes for a rather exciting muli-day, high-altitude climbing experience.

Image may contain: 6 people, people smiling, people standing, tree, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

As I already mentioned it is a growing sport in Europe and the following top 10 Via ferratas are considered to be among the best in world. So if the bug bites you can add these to your bucket list! Incidentally I found that we have 2 known via ferratas in South Africa the other one is in the Eastern Cape. This via ferrata climbing route is suitable for both the complete novices and the more experienced adventurer and is found at AfriAbseil, in The Crags between Tsitsikamma and Plettenberg Bay. There has been talk of installing one in the Drakensberg.

Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, people standing, sky, tree, grass, child, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

In no particular order but I decided to start with Italy first as this is the origins of the via ferrata! Also note I only took my cellphone will me to take photos as I did not want to risk taking along my Nikon coolpix, I was not sure I would be able to hang on, cope with the exposure and still take photos without dropping my already ailing camera, which has been on one too many mountain adventures and is need of repairs. So Kennedy kindly gave me permission to use his photos so there is a mix of mine and his which I have given him photo credits for.

Image may contain: one or more people, grass, tree, sky, mountain, child, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

No 1: In Northeastern Italy you will find the Dolomites via ferrata, home to some rather famous and challenging routes. It was here that during WWI the Italian soldiers built these routes so their troops could move quickly and safely over the mountains. Of all the now tourist designed via ferratas, this one in Italy carries with it an important moment in history and today as you make your way along the route while still finding epic relics of trenches and dugouts. Preeety cool I would say!

Image may contain: 3 people, people smiling, people standing, tree, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

No 2: is found in Africa, Mt Kenya to be exact. The Mt Kenya via ferrata is found in the famous Mt Kenya National Park in East Africa. It is the worlds highest via ferrata with incredible views. For those that don't know, Mt Kenya is an extinct volcano with very deep gorges, ridges and sharp peaks that have climbers all over the world adding it to their bucket list. This via ferrata sits at an impressive 4,985m/16,355ft and holds the record for the worlds highest via ferrata knocking Mt Kinabalu's via ferrata at 3 800m/12,500ft off the list. It was officially opened on the 9th July 2012 and provides a safe passage on the Northwest approach to Point Lenana via Austrian Hut and also from the south side - Shipton. Fondly known by locals as "Olonana". I will be adding this one to my list!

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

No 3:This one looks more like my scene on Mount Ogden in Utah. It is open for guided tours only as it is on private property and even has a training wall for beginners and scaredy cat like me! The route is up sheer rock faces found in Waterfall Canyon and apparently the views are quiet stunning and overlooks Antelope Island, the Great Salt Lake and the huge ski country below.

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

No 4: Chang Kong via ferrata found in Shaanxi Province in China: Apparently if you can survive a trek up the nearly vertical "Heavenly Stairs", which is only a plank walk over rickety wooden boards with a single chain rail nailed to the side of the mountain, it is said that you will be rewarded greatly at the end of this death-defying via ferrata. This route is found on the beautiful sacred mountain named Mount Hua Shan. I have seen many photos of this via ferrata and not sure if I would ever have the really big balls to tackle this one. At the end of the path is an ancient Taoist temple and traditional tea-house. If you are brave enough then this is definitely one for the bucket list.

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

No5: ... and its off to France we go! Here we find the Mer de Glace via ferrata in Chamonix. Most of the usual via ferratas require some hiking of varying degrees of fitness to reach the start of the climb, but here in the town center of Chamonix the ladders start at the train station. In fact the ladders descend from the train station and you cross over the glacier and eventually to Refuge du Courvercle, a rather aptly named hut and camping ground, but not before you have climbed 30 ladders first to get here. You can also camp here to take in the views and I would think you would be treated to a majestic sunset and and sunrise to boot!.

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

No6: Ok, now its off to Telluride in Colorado for the Telluride via ferrata which is apparently one of the newer one found in the USA. This route is found in the Gargantuan San Juan Mountain Range and it runs along the Ajax Peak. The path follows an actual old mining trail, which sound really cool just on its own and then you get to see Telluride, Bridal Veil Falls and the towns famous box canyon.

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

No7: The Honister via ferrata found in the UK, in Keswick to be exact. You will find this adventure at the Honister Slate Mine in Cumbria's Lake District and the route follows old mining trails. You can warm up on the classic version and once you have aced that you can tackle the extreme route which exposes you to more vertical climbs, some edge exposure, a Burma bridge and then wait for it.... apparently a fun cargo net crossing. hmmm.

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

No8: finally off the Valais, Switzerland to their very own Aletsch via ferrata. Now we are told that Aletsch is the largest alpine glacier in the Alps covering a mind boggling area of 46 square miles, that is roughly just over 119 square kilometres to be precise. A glacial lake was dammed to create the Stausee Gibidum reservoir where the route circles and add to this the many traverses over rather steep cliffs, some hiking and for fun included on this route is the longest suspension bridge in the Alps just to complete what sounds like a hectic but exciting via ferrata!

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

No9: brings you Iceland, where exactly? In Isafjordur, you will find the Coldback Mountain via ferrata. All the more reason for making Iceland, the land of fire and ice, onto your bucket list. It is Iceland's only via ferrata and requires some hiking along a narrow ridge and a traverse of the Coldback Mountain and then into the Skutulsjordur fjord and you will be rewarded with spectacular Iceland views!!

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

No10: is the Sacred Valley via ferrata found in Peru at a place called Ollantaytambo! Some consider this to be the the most beautiful via ferrata of them all. It boasts a 984 ft/300m+- vertical climb up steel rungs. You will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Scared Valley and Urubamba river. The fauna up on the rock faces are apparently really beautiful and the adventure does not stop there, they offer a zip-line descent!!

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

Back now to our very own Magalies via ferrata adventure. We now had about a 4km walk to the base of the via ferrata. The first part of the hike to the actual large fallen rock, named Shelter Rock is really easy going.

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

This is nearly 1000 years old - looks like an old Fig tree similar to the 1000 year old one at Wonderboom. Pretty cool and I did take lots of photos!

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

I found this rather funny, Kennedy pointed out a golf course with a twist of course, this was Africa after all. This particular course is played not using the common golfing irons, but rather with a traditional African "Knobkerrie". For you golfing enthusiasts this should be on your bucket list!!! Below for my overseas readers it was a "knobkerrie" looks like

Four Swazi/Zulu/Nguni Knobkerries, South Africa

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

Image may contain: one or more people, tree, plant, outdoor and nature

Photo credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, tree, outdoor and nature

Photo credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

We came across a car wreck that was placed there by Rustig - create a great talking point and we came up with many ideas as to who it got to rest in this "donga" only to get closer and see the signs!!

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

Image may contain: one or more people, tree, outdoor and nature

Photo credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

Super excited to have come across this spoor and Vaughn put his hand next to it for scale. It has 4 claw marks with the toe nails turning inwards it looks more like a Servel Cat track rather then a jackal?

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

Above is a photo of a Servel cat, which are commonly found in South Africa

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

The section from Shelter Rock to the base was a little harder and requires some fitness. Near the big fallen rock is a rock called Little Rock, of course, with a mini via ferrata and I thought hmmmm if I can do this I can face the big one!! In comparison the big one is well....muuchos bigger, but it was fun anyway and good to feel the ladder rungs between my hands and under my boots. It does give you a bit of an idea of the techniques you will need to use to get to the top by practicing to use both the safety harnesses and “cow tails” in a secure environment.

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

Once we had arrived at Shelter rock it was time for something to drink and for a little bouldering fun and to try out the little mini via ferrata.

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

The bouldering was epic and about 3/4 of the way up it suddenly dawned on me that I still had to get down!

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, standing, tree, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: one or more people, sky, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: one or more people, sky, tree, child, outdoor and nature

Image may contain: one or more people, tree, sky, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: 2 people, tree, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, people standing and outdoor

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Zonocerus elegans grasshopper taken at Klipriversberg
copyright Kim Williams

We had spotted a tree filled with hundreds of green grasshoppers known as "elegant grasshopper" or its proper name Zonocerus elegans. What I find rather interesting is that most of the colourful grasshopper found in South Africa are poisonous and that bushes that are infested by them, are bypassed by livestock and animals and here we were trying to shake the tree to get them to fly up and spread their red wings for a photo opp! Well we did shake the tree and I think they are a more intelligent that we give them credit for. They remained in the tree and so did our epic photo! I posted a photo of one of them from another hike I did. We find these all over our Jozi hikes.

Image may contain: 2 people, people standing, tree, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

We then gather up our bags and gear and headed off for the uphill zigag towards the start of our via ferrata and the closer we got the more the excitement and adrenaline started to mount up.

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, mountain, sky, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: mountain, sky, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

We had now arrived and another safety check and then a brief on how to use our equipment and a demonstration. I was hoping that I was taking all this in and trying not to look up and freak out. My palms were sweating and I needed to pee right now, I was not thinking about how this exercise was going to improve my eye, hand and body coordination, listening skills and conquer my fear all in one! Apparently you will rediscover yourself and feel different at the top. Well right now I was deciding this might be a really bad idea and that I was about to make an ass of myself and burst out crying or worse pee in my pants! Usually it is at this point I convince myself how big my balls actually are and that I am a female paramedic working in one of the worlds most dangerous cities all alone, day and night, have survived an attempted rape, guns pointed at me, assaulted and being concussed and yet I still report for duty, "so there chick pull yourself together and lets do this, big girls panties on"! We are told that "Instructors will give you ample opportunity to gain enough confidence to enjoy the experience." I was about to put that statement to the test.

Image may contain: one or more people, plant, tree, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

I had also been told by our mountain guide from MCSA how they installed the via ferrata and the many challenges they faced. Some of the fun stories too. This epic adventure was put together so we as mere mortal would be able to get a slice of this heaven and also experience being perched up on a rock face, high above the ground and I was also hoping that a crow would not poop on my head and I would make it to the top of the summit, without any incident and "frozen to the wall" situations to experience for myself the magnificent 360 panoramic views.

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Once we had seen the demonstration and had our final brief we were off. So went the two safety guides, one up front and one at the back, followed by Kenneth then me leading the pack, which was a good thing as I would need to hold my bladder together and not pee on everyone below, it was time to be responsible now and there are no pee places along the way, especially on an exposed rock face, so either you go before hand or just hold it in.

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, outdoor

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

I hooked my two cow tails/quick-draws onto the wire cable and so started my epic adventure. You need to climb up beside the wire and slide the karabiners along as you move, this is made easier by putting the cow tails over you hand as seen in the picture below, then it does not get tangled around your legs. The wire is bolted into the mountain at regular intervals so if you fall you will not fall far, in order to fall you would need to have unclipped both your cow tails and that should not happen if you paid attention to the safety rules and demonstration!. When you reach a bolt, you unclip the top karabiner and place it onto the next wire above you, once you have checked it is clipped in properly, then you will undo the second karabiner and clip it next to the first one. REMEMBER YOU MUST ALWAYS HAVE ONE KARABINER ATTACHED TO THE WIRE AT ALL TIMES.

Image may contain: one or more people and outdoor

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

The bolts in the rock face will stop you from sliding all the way back down the wire if you fall off. So, to break your fall early, it’s best to clip in as far forward as you can – even above the next bolt if you can reach. If you slip near the top of a wire, you’ll fall the length of the wire before the via ferrata kit kicks in. This is potentially a huge fall factor, with the chance of bouncing off the rock on the way down, so do it properly and you will be safe. It is for these reasons you should not be drunk, on any medication that you should not be using any machinery during this time or driving, nor should you have just smoked a joint before hand, nor should you be high on anything else! This is dangerous but has been made as safe as possible, just follow the rules, simple and you will have the incredible privilege of being exposed to a really new and exciting and growing sport of via ferrata.

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, tree, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

I made it up to the first small section and I was already deciding where would be the best place to turn back! I was pooping myself. I now had to traverse a chunk of rock sticking out and just could not reach around, due to fear, strength, short legs or the fact that I was shaking so much, but the guides were fantastic , continuously encouraging me and came down to were I was stuck to assist. To my defense the crows were circling and I just knew that they were eyeing me out as their next meal ! Having this in mind I had a choice to either "buckle up cupcake "and do this, turn back and cause a major jam for everyone below me or become crow food. I had in reality reached a point were you just cannot turn back and the only way out was up. This is actually a good thing!

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Once around this first tricky bit and my knees had stopped knocking together, I got myself into a rhythm and created a system to follow. From time to time I got really brave and looked around and once or twice I did look down, my new found bravado was really to give the circling crows the finger and let them know I was not going to me their next meal. I was having the time of my life, if truth be told! I felt free and alive and rather the adventurer or rather the old mountain goat!

Image may contain: plant, tree, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, sitting, child, grass, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, child, tree, plant, grass, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

There were one or two more tricky bits where longer legs are an advantage. We had had some recent rain so one bit was a little tricky and the footholds a little slippery. But once you know you can trust your safety system and your confidence in working them grows, so does the enjoyment of the experience and the challenges seem that less daunting. It would however not be a good idea to be up here during high-veld storm, while being exposed on this mountain ridge, on a chunk of rock, with no escape routes, hanging from a long metal wire...you do the math..

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, child, grass, plant, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, child, hat, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Somewhere up the 100m rock face you will find yourself perched on a ledge. This ledge is actually where a big chunk of rock broke off and fell below us. This chunk of rock is now what locals call Shelter Rock where we had been bouldering earlier. It is safe here to take a few photos, but please don't be an ass and unclip yourself from the cables, by now you will be feeling confident and this is when accidents happen, just listen to your mountain guides, they are still alive for a reason! We sat up here on the ledge for a while, drank some water and jelly babies to take in the magnificent views. It was really incredible, so quiet and peaceful, even my heart had slowed down and stopped beating in my throat. It was a great time to sit and reflect for a bit and watch the birds and clouds while the wind gusted around us. A time to rest and catch your breath and be thankful for the privilege of being able to do this.

Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, mountain, sky, child, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, mountain, sky, shorts, child, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, standing, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: shoes, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

Once we had rested up and taken photos, it was time to move along. We would now continue to ascend into an apex and upwards to the summit. I took some time to chuckle at a green sign attached to the rock face "Exposure F Major". I looked up to the guide and told him what I though the F really meant or should mean. I was right, it the exposure up here on this rock face was F@#%ing Major and I was up here, loving every minute, no longer about to pee in my pants, long forgotten I needed a pee, enjoying the feeling of freedom and power this experience was unleashing on me. What a feeling it was and for a moment I was worried I might burst out in song singing " .... the hills are alive with the sound of music", but luckily I did not and instead just took in the incredible views of of the hills and horizons, valleys and skies and refrained from throwing in a yodel or two. Besides the crows might think it as a signal that I was about to croak and come in for the kill.

Image may contain: one or more people, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: one or more people, sky, tree and outdoor

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: mountain, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: sky, mountain, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

The last bit was a little tricky and you were faced with two option, the easier tricky mini traverse bit or going up the harder challenging tricky bit - straight up, here the ladder rungs are further apart making it that much harder and challenging. I oped for the tricky mini traverse, only tricky as it was a bit slippery from the recent rain, but once up and off the safety wire I was on top of the summit, on top of the grand old ancient Magaliesberg, alive and free as a bird. and yes I did feel a bit different that I had conquered my fears, tackled something I never thought possible, but did it anyway and now I was reaping the rewards of an epic experience.

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

Image may contain: 1 person, standing, sky, cloud, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

While we waited for everyone to catch up, we took in the views. Tracey and I had been up here before, many times in fact and little did we know that just below us waited this epic adventure.

Image may contain: 1 person, standing, sky, tree, plant, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: 1 person, standing, sky, cloud, child, mountain, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, sky, mountain, ocean, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, sky, mountain, child, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: 2 people, people standing, sky, mountain, cloud, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Once we were all together we made off to the large cairn area, where people had come up to lay down and add their stone to a growing pile. Nearby is a beautiful Spire garden with incredible rock formations that will leave you in awe. We sat here and had something to drink, eat and time to reflect about life. We were sitting in what was left of an old Boer war fort. It was quiet and eerie and the crows were back!

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures - Check the waving hand out!

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, mountain, sky, outdoor, nature and water

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, child, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, sky, cloud, ocean, outdoor, nature and water

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, shoes, child and outdoor

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, sky, cloud, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: 1 person, ocean, outdoor, nature and water

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, mountain, sky, cloud, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

We now made our way back down going past another Boer war relic, a look out point.

Image may contain: cloud, sky, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

All along the ridge and up here you will find many Boer war relics. These hills saw much bravery and bloodshed and you can almost feel their presence, you can see the history and just imagine the battles and what life must of been like up here at that time. Today it is so different, peaceful and quite and for some of us we come up here to do battle of another kind, to get away from the rat-race, to sit up here and fight the demons in our heads, to clear and sort out our problems before we go back down, feeling braver and wiser to do just that. The photos below are of the Boer war trench was taken during a winter hike up here.

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, sky, cloud, mountain, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, cloud, sky, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

I had wanted to tackle this via ferrata for a very long time now. I had seen fantastic photos and it looked really scary but epic. The problem with photos is that they do two things one; they show the Berg passes to look really easy when you took 3 hours to scramble up 1.5km or they make the smallest chasm or bridge look more extreme that they really are and put people off. Truth be told this is high and its 310 steps up, and you face a vertical rock face, - called Exposure F Major, and a high traverse but it is doable,

thanks to some really special people that created this via ferrata for us and I urge you to put this onto your bucket list. Will I be back, damn right you are. I will be back again, so will Tracey and Vaughn, it was one of the most exciting things I have ever done and if I can you can!!

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: one or more people, mountain, sky, cloud, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: sky, mountain, cloud, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: one or more people, mountain, sky, tree, cloud, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: one or more people, sky, mountain, cloud, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Photo Kim Williams #Viaferrata #Magaliesberg #Adventurekimcom #urbanadventures

Some things to bear in mind - no previous climbing experience is required. For most of the people attempting this, it will be their first via ferrata experience. It is best to wear loose fitting clothing, closed shoes, like takkies or hiking boots - no sandals or slops people. Rather tie up long hair and wear a cap if you can and lots of sunblock, you will burn up there. It is best to bring along a small backpack to put in your camera, phone, car keys and water bottle (2l should be enough - you need to hike back too - total hiking distance is 8km)

Image may contain: one or more people, mountain, plant, grass, sky, tree, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, tree, grass, mountain, sky, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Micro-Adventure Tours

On our way back we were treated to a thunderstorm and a magnificent double rainbow close to the Sterfontein Caves. A great way to end an incredibly fun filled day.