TOUGHEST Hike in SA Tugela Falls (Unexpected challenges Drakensberg Amphitheatre Sentinel Peak)

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00:00 - Introduction
02:38 - Hiking from Witsieshoek to the parking lot
04:03 - Official start of the hike
06:33 - Viewing Point of Sentinel Peak
08:59 - Chain ladders
11:20 - Exploring the Plateau, Tugela Falls
14:33 - Descent via the Gulley
15:48 - Wrap up

We were on a quest with ‪@FindYourAdventureSA‬ to reach the world’s tallest waterfall, the majestic Tugela Falls and conquer the heights of Sentinel Peak and the Drakensberg Amphitheatre.

The road trip from Johannesburg to the starting point of the hike, Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge, is 350km, a 4 hour journey. There is an overnight hiking fee of R110 per person. The original plan was to take a 4x4 shuttle from the lodge to the official start of the hike, but we soon learnt that we were too late. The group made a brave decision just before midnight to hike 6km from the lodge to the start of the hike.

We finally reached the official start of the hike. Covering a distance of 6km, we were immediately greeted by the mountains towering over us. After an initial moderate incline, we reached the zigzags.

We soon after reached an incredible viewing point of Sentinel Peak in the distance. We continued and the famed chain ladders emerged in the distance. The wind howled around us and as raindrops began to fall, we climbed the vertical cliff edge.

After the exhilarating climb, we trudged along a short hike on the plateau towards a humble rock hut. Pitching tents seemed like an insurmountable task in our fatigued state. Instead, a collective decision was made, we unrolled our sleeping bags in the open with a surreal mist hovering above us.

Despite our initial hopes of witnessing the majestic Tugela Falls, the thick cloud cover that shrouded the plateau obscured our view. Faced with the prospect of impending thunderstorms, heavy winds, and low visibility, we make the bold decision to hike back down through a steep gorge.

This meant that we covered a total of 20 kilometers in less than 20 hours, all while battling extreme weather conditions.

Brand Partners:

Fenix Lighting

https://fenixshop.co.za/

Zoku

https://www.zokuhome.com/

Mama Alles

https://mamaalles.com/

Mercedes-Benz South Africa

https://www.mercedes-benz.co.za/passe...

All our First Ascent hiking gear was rented from Go Camp:

https://www.gocamp.co.za/