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Mountain Ranges, Drankensberg Situation, Geographical Extent This mountain range is located in the central area of the Republic of South Africa. Located west of the range is the small land locked country of Lesotho. The range forms a natural International border between Lesotho and the South Africa. Access Considerations The Berg is accessed via a good network of highways and district roads. However entry points for climbing & hiking can sometimes be confusing and time consuming if on a first visit. You can contact the Kwazulu Natal Nature Conservation Service (KZNNCS), who manage most of the Drakensberg Park, and controls access to most peaks. In order to enter these areas it is necessary to obtain a permit from the office of the ranger in charge of the relevant area. Rescue registers are located at all offices and must be completed. Unless you intend to be staying in one of the many KZNNCS hutted camps, you will need to carry your own shelter or tent, (unless you are using caves or the huts in Giants Castle area), food, sleeping bag, cooking equipment, and clothing for any weather type or temperature. The weather can change very fast and it is common to experience four seasons in one day in the Berg. The recommended minimum party size is three to four persons and a walking rope should be carried. Even on day walks, rivers can cut you off when the Berg storms cause the rivers to swell so prepare in case you need to spend the night out. Weather Conditions Most of the time the weather is good. Many days can go by with perfect sunny weather. However it should be noted that the Drakensberg lies in the summer rainfall area of Southern Africa (October to March). During this time thunderstorms, accompanied by sleet and hail, could occur several days in succession. From September to April it is also usual to get periods of several days of rain and mist shrouding the summits, making climbing & hiking very unpleasant, if not impossible. Daytime temperatures can become very high and may be accompanied by high humidity. From May until August is certainly the best time for climbing & hiking, with long spells of mild, stable skies. These fine periods are broken by cold fronts moving in from the south west of the country, bringing rain and often-heavy snow falls even to valleys of the little Berg. Dangers Blizzards can occur for many days, making travel at high altitude impossible, with temperatures well below freezing. Prominent Peaks and Features The basalt formation of the Drakensberg expresses itself in a variety of structures; peaks, buttresses, pinnacles, needles, spires and so on. Southward from Mount Aux Sources (3282 m) are such well known peaks as Mponjwane ( 3117 m), the saddle between North Peak (3153 m) and South Peaks (3153 m ) . Champagne Castle (3248 m) a rounded dome set some hundred meters inland from the edge of the escarpment . Giants Castle (3314 m), where the berg turns its direction southwards. The two Hodgson's peaks (3244 m and 3256 m) Several stand out from the general line of the escarpment, including the Sentinel (3165 m), Outer and Inner Mnweni Needles at 2890 m and 2905 m respectively. The giant Cathkin Peak (3149 m) is a huge free-standing block of mountain completely separate from the escarpment. Cathedral Peak (3004 m) is another example. The highest peak in the Drakensberg escarpment is Injasuti at 3459 m. The highest peak in Africa, south of Kilimanjaro is on the Lesotho side of the watershed, and therefore not a true Drakensberg peak, known as Thabana Ntlenyana, recorded at 3482m above sea level. Rock Climbing The outpouring of molten lava formed the upper Berg, giving rise to what is today called Stormberg Basalt. Many climbs tend to have rock located between broad grass ledges. The rock is also formed into rounded overhangs, blocks and gullies, making the climbing often quite awkward. The would-be Berg cragsman must also bear in mind that, in addition to the general hazards of rock climbing, these are large mountains with the usual dangers of rain, snow, lightning and rockfalls. Climbers should be equipped physically, mentally and technically for the challenges they could encounter. Hiking The Berg is a hikers paradise. There is a good net work of paths from the lower altitudes up to the 8000ft level. Above this level the vegetation is usually quite short making for easy cross-country trekking. At high altitude one can do multi day treks along the escarpment edge in a true and beautiful wilderness area. Other Things to Do Horse riding, Trout Fishing, Bass Fishing, Paragliding and Hang gliding, Ornithology and Botany, Mountain Biking, 4 x4 drives, Bushman paintings viewing, Golf and sports, Helicopter and light aircraft scenic rides, Anglo Boer War Battlefields trips. Emergency Assistance Medical emergencies in the Drakensberg fall under the authority of the Provincial Ambulance and Emergency Medical Service (AEMS). However, due to the hazards and technical difficulties encountered in the Berg, the Kwazulu Natal Section of the Mountain Club of South Africa carries out rescues. Helicopters from the South African Air Force support the highly efficient and well-equipped rescue team. In the event of an accident or death, the nearest Parks Board ranger or police station should be notified as soon as possible. They will make the rescue call. Phone 10177 anywhere in Kwazulu Natal.
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