Conquering the Giant in 2017

So we always knew that Giants 2017 was going to be about firsts. It sure wasn’t to be my first time to conquer the Giant (as you could see from a few other posts to this blog) … nor was it so for Matt Cremer, but for many years we’ve been so keen to give Steve a taste of ‘the Mountains’. So late in 2016 we put it to Steve that he should prepare himself for ‘a big hike’. He showed interest and was most keen. Then I got asked by Carl Smorenburg, one of the best berg hikers I know, to do an expedition to Fangs Pass and Mpongwana and down via Rockeries Pass for a 5 day Summer hike in early March, which nearly broke me but I did get some of my best photography and experiences in the Berg to date.

Soon after the hardship of that hike to the high peaks of the Northern Drakensberg had become fairly distant memories, I had then put it out to my friends to make a trip to the Berg for Winter. So the invite went out, including Steve and one of my oldest friends, Douglas, who had accompanied me on many hikes to the Berg previously but for some reason had never conquered The Giant. So we settle on a weekend in early July. Then, with a week to go, Doug had work commitments and Matt was not 100% health wise so we decided to postpone but needed a few extra recruits to make up a fun-filled party. I knew Blake would be a perfect fit for this expedition and then he indicated that his eldest son, at only 10yrs old, would be keen too as it was still in school holidays. I was so pleased as Blake could join us and Tom was also in and he would get to experience the high mountains of the Drakensberg at such a young, impressionable age. What an amazing expedition to conquer the Giant it was going to be.

The forecast was for some pretty cold weather on top on night 2 so we prepared well and made sure we had plenty of warm gear. The route was to leave Giants Castle Hotel at 9am and ascend the Little Berg along Giants Ridge to the contour path which took about 4hrs where we had a lunch stop before pressing on about 45 minutes along the contour path to the stream at the bottom of Giants Pass where we setup camp for night one. It was then up Giants Pass on day 2 and then on to Giants Peak before sunset. We would come back to Makhaza to camp for night 2 and then head all the way back down to the Hotel on day 3.

Once we had setup camp for the night at the bottom of the Pass after day one, the sun went down and it was rather cold but at least it was still and calm so I was able to get some good shots of the amazing stars that were above us. BUT this calm didn’t last long because from about 11pm, the wind picked up to gale force blowing straight off the Pass and battering our tents. Fortunately we had good quality accommodation from The North Face and they stood strong against the elements!

Waking up the next morning from minimal sleep and the wind still gusting, we had to make a big decision if we were to continue up the ascent of the Giant because due to the high winds we were worried about safety on the Pass. Steve was really tired from the day before and with very little sleep, had already decided he wasn’t going to be going higher. Matt kindly agreed to stay back and keep Steve company. Fortunately by around 8:30 am on Saturday morning the wind subsided almost completely and so Blake, Tom and myself packed up and decided to head for Giant’s Peak, which was our initial goal on leaving Durban.

We got to the Peak around 4pm and only had about 30 minutes up there to enjoy the views before we had to quickly descend back to Makhaza, the ice waterfall at about 3000m ASL, where we setup camp for night 2. A substantial breeze had already picked up and the temperature was dropping below zero so pitching the tent was a challenge. As soon as the tent was up, we all changed into warmer gear and then took refuge in the tent where it was a bit warmer! Cooking dinner was a challenge inside the tent but none of us really felt like eating after a hard day ascending the Drakensberg.

I was so pleased that the wind died down for long enough for me to go outside into the cold darkness and take some sensational star photographs and even a perfect star trail with the centre point in the middle of the image (this star trail was about 1hr).

The next morning we awoke to bitterly cold temperatures when anything liquid outside the tent started freezing within moments! The forecast was for -7C and I’m sure it was correct! It look us longer than planned to get packed up and heading for home but we eventually were on the trail just after 8 but still rather wrapped up as it was very cold. Once on the Pass and into the sunshine we warmed up very quickly and the layers came off. We eventually met up with Matt and Steve near the river at the bottom of Giants Ridge and both groups had plenty of stories to tell 🙂

Another epic adventure to the mountains with the Drakensberg being such a special place for me and it was so good to share it with great friends. Well done to all for conquering the Giant! Enjoy the pictures below.

The view into the heavens from our camp site with the Milky Way covering the Giant’s Peak

First light on the escarpment on Saturday morning.

As the peaks get lit by the first rays of the sun, we waited for the sunlight to reach our tented area to the right of the scene.

The start of the Giants Pass on day 2. Early on in the Pass so it’s still all smiles!

Half way up and time to take a snack break.

Blake and Tom arriving at the top of the Pass.

At the top of the Pass.

The view look into Lesotho from the top of the Pass.

We reached Makhaza, the ice waterfall, at about 2pm where we left our packs before ascending the Peak. We would setup camp here just to the left of the ice for night 2.

Reached Giant’s Peak by about 4pm. This Peak tops out at 3310m above sea level.

The smaller group on top of Giants Peak.

The view from Giants Peak to Cathkin Peak in the far distance.

The stars were incredible again on top and here we see the Milky Way ‘coming out’ of the Giants Peak.

Always wanted to get a star trail image from the edge of the escarpment where I could face the camera directly South. This is an hour photograph.

Packing up and getting going the next morning was crazy cold with an icy wind blowing at about -6 degrees C. We were pleased to see the sun!

Top of the Pass on the way back down. As you can see we’re very kitted still as I’m sure the temperature was hardly above zero!

Taking it carefully back down the Pass.

A last look back at The Giant for 2017. Blake and Tom just coming back over the lower hill.