Schalk Cronjé

Day 3 of our trip involved moving south across the Drakensbers's Mnweni escarpment. Much of the walking in these parts involves switching between side of the watershed and thus being either in South Africa or Lesotho. There are now border fences here and the border itself is only marked with cairns. This is free roaming at its best. One can walk where ever you want.

We woke up to a great sunrise with the blanket of clouds below us. Then
our day took us past many other passes, including Icidi, Madonna and Fangs. None of these are as hard and techinical as Ifidi Pass, but they should still not be underestimated.

We eventually made camp next to a river somewhere between Fangs and Rwanqa passes.

#drakensberg #southafrica #mnweni #hiking #wanderlust

Sociable weaver nest in a tree. Seen on the Naukluft trail.

#wanderlust #hiking #naukluft #namibia #birdsofmastodon

Normally it does not look this green, but the rains of April have turned this arid land into a green landscape with many plants in bloom.

This is my 3rd time down in the oldest canyon in the world, and this the first time I've seen it so green. It has been a spectacle.

#FishRiverCanyon #wanderlust #footpathfriday #hiking #Namibia

Footpath somewhere between De Valle & Tufa shelters on the Naukluft trail. This footpath brings welcome relief from the relentless boulder hopping and rock trails in the ravines that make up a great part of the 8-day route.

#footpathfriday #naukluft #Namibia #hiking #wanderlust

Just finished an amazing hike in the Drakensberg. We did most of what would be known as the full Mnweni traverse.

Our first two days were concerned with ascending to the escarpment to about 3100m using a classic, but difficult pass known as Ifidi. This also forms the most northern part of the Mnweni area.

The first day we walked to a cave which marks the approach to the pass. The second day was the hard day. There are few paths scattered around the area, most which seem to lead to bundu bashing or steep grassy slopes.

We eventually just returned to the stream bed and boulder hopped all the way up to the pass proper.

The latter is where the pass comes to its full "enjoyment" - all-fours in many places. Close to the top there is one place where we had to haul the bags and another where we just passed them up. The terrain at this point was wet and the scrambles became real short wet rock scrambles with the risk of injury.

We eventually topped out in howling wind (50-70km/h). It was cold enough that I had to wear my shell jacket over my puffer jacket. We eventually made our way to another rock overhang where we spent the night.

It was a hard day and we had to take many breaks, but it the kind of memories one can carry to the end of days.

#hiking #southafrica #wanderlust #drakensberg #mnweni

The freedom to camp in wilderness areas.

This is something Europe does not have. Wild camping is either outright banned or frowned upon by authorities in most parts of Europe. France, at least, is more lenient in the sense that one can put up a tent in a wilderness area after 7, but it has to be down by 9 the next morning. What if I want to explore an area and use the campspot as a base? No can do. They have their (justifiable) reasons, but this is PITA.

England (with the exception of Dartmoor) does not have the freedom to wild camp, although people do. Scotland has a lot more freedom, but extended stays are not usually possible.

People in the US & Canada seem to mostly have this kind of freedom. Although one is sometimes required to use a specified campsite, inmany cases you can set up camp anywhere along the trail. That is a lot of freedom.

Same down here in South Africa and Namibia. There are a lot of wilderness areas where you can put up camp and stay as long as you want (within the number of days your permit is valid for).

When one hikes down the Fish River Canyon, you choose every night where you want to sleep. If you want to stop at 2pm or 6pm it is up to you.

If one hikes the Drakensberg, you choose your route and your overnight spots - absolute freedom.

WDYT? Is Europe missing out on a primal human freedom?

#wanderlust #hiking #wildcamping #canada #usa #southafrica #namibia

#silentsunday #Namibia #naukluft #AloesOfMastodon

Viervingerrots ("Four Finger Rock") usually seen around day 4 when hiking down the Fish River Canyon.

It is possible to camp just before this at a set of two pools of which one is known as Barbel Pools. (And yes, it does contain barbels).

From here one can follow the river around a long bend, but most people opt for a shortcut to the right of this rock formation.

#MountainMonday #wanderlust #hiking #FishRiverCanyon #Namibia

Small waterfall near the top of Icidi Pass in the Mnweni area of the Drakensberg.

#Drakensberg #southafrica #mnweni #hiking #wanderlust #waterfallwednesday

#silentSunday #Namibia #fishrivercanyon

Day 4 of our Mnweni traverse in the Drakensberg and we woke up to a cold morning after a sub-zero night. Most of this day involved navigating around a very deep mountain cutback known as the Mnweni Cutback. The wind was tough in any exposed area, especially where the path we took went into the South African side of the watershed.

We had lovely lunch on a slope which was protected from the wind and then proceeded to take water from the source of the Orange River. The latter is the buggest river that flows through South Africa and originates from Lesotho where it is known as the Senqu. Although the river originates as a series of small streams in the basin between the Mnweni and Rockeries passes, we think we found the highest the best flowing stream this time, which in our opinion could be considered the true origin.

We eventually made it to our overnight spot - another rock overhang known as Ledger's Cave. And to see the sunrise from this cave, see this posting: https://loops.video/v/fntoop6eJk

When the clouds lifted from the valley below in the very late afternoon, we were afforded some amazing views over the northern parts of the Mnweni range, but we could even see the flat-topped hills of Harrismith in the distance.

It was a bit of a sentimental time too as I have the feeling that there are parts of this mountain range I would not get to see ever again from this side.

#drakensberg #mnweni #southafrica #hiking #wanderlust

Standing at the top of Madonna pass. The Madonna and her Worshippers are the set of fluted basalt columns emerging from from the pass.

Further back are two prominent peaks known as the Mnweni Needles. In the distance there are some rounded peaks known as the Puddings.

To the right of the Needles a plateau is visble. The big, prominent column behind the plateau is called Mponjwane. It is connected via small neck quite some scramble down from the main escarpment. It is a classic rock climb on basalt rock.

Some smoke arises from the steep edges about one third down. This is probably due to a lightning strike igniting dry brush.

#MountainMonday #hiking #wanderlust #drakensberg #mnweni #southafrica

It's been a week since I finished my first First River Canyon hike of '26. How does one describe it in just four photos?

This is the greenest I have ever seen it, especially since the very dry '24 hike. There has been a lot of rain in April, causing the season to open late. Somebody said we crossed the river 24 times. I didn't count, but I probably had to remove my shoes about six times, where I could not dance across the rocks.

There was a lot of water available and no need to filter. Day temperatures were around 31-33⁰C at midday. One say I measured 37, but I think the sun shone directly of my measuring device. I did however consume between 2.5-3lt every day during walking hours.

Sleeping on the sand in the open was a treat as usual. You open your eyes at night and you stare at all of the stars.

This is the most enjoyable hike in the FRC for me to date. Whether it was hopping over boulders, tracking fast over flat terrain or climing dry short cuts in the heat of the day, every moment was enjoyable.

What wasn't to be enjoyed was finishing. Coyld really stayed more nights, but this is how it goes.

In a month's time I plan to be back again. This is no longer a bucket list item, but rather a spiritual journey of being connected to nature and the ancient geological history that lies with the oldest canyon in the world.

#FishRiverCanyon #hiking #wanderlust #Namibia

Day 5 of our Mnweni traverse and I had to make a call. We were scheduled to walk for 7 days, but bad weather was moving in which included high winds again as well as the possibility of driving rain.

The decision was made to descend from the escarpment using the well-known Rockeries pass and camp further down at the Nguza campsite,m where we should be sheltered from the wind.

Thus we left Ledger's Cave and in the drizzling rain made our way over to Rockeries pass. Luckily this pass is one of the easiest in this area. We got to the campsite at around 10:30 and had some elevensees. Instead of setting up camp in the drizzling rain, we decided to continue on for another 3h and walk out.

We struggled to reach the local transport that was supposed to pick us up two days later to reschedule - there is basically no mobile reception.

However by a stroke of luck we arrived at the pick up point near to the time that the locals school finished and shortly after our driver arrived with a bunch of school kids that he had to drop off. Voila! We had a ride back to where our car was parked at the Mnweni Cultural Centre.

What an amazing trip in such an amazing place in the world.

#drakensberg #mnweni #southafrica #hiking #wanderlust

Wildlife on this morning's walk in an urban nature reserve. Saw springbok (pictured), zebra (pictured), blesbok and bosbok.

#hiking #wanderlust #southafrica #moreletta #pretoria #wildlife #antelope

#silentsunday #pyrenees #wanderluat #catalunya #spain

Heads or tails? Two zebra on this morning's walk at the Klapperkop Nature Reserve.

#wildlife #wanderlust #southafrica #pretoria #hiking

Quiver tree, Naukluft, Namibia.

#wanderlust #aloesOfMastodon #wanderlust #naukluft #Namibia

Aloe from this morning's walk. I don't know the know the specific species.

#magaliesberg #hiking #wanderlust #pretoria #southafrica

Hiking in the Magaliesberg - water and rock features. This very old mountain range runs east-west cutting through Pretoria and extends further west than east. It is on the western side where it is most interesting with many kloofs (ravines) in the mountain. This mostly quartzite mountain range is very interesting in the sense that it is actually a mountain lying on its side after a massive magna upheaval billions of years ago.

The day hike was inside and next to a ravine called Grootkloof. The name itself means "big ravine". The sides of the main ravine have tall rock faces offering many rock climbing routes all using natural protection.

PS: The land is owned by the Mountain Club of South Africa and access is only by permit for visitors. See the Magaliesberg section of the MCSA's website for information.

#hiking #southafrica #magaliesberg #wanderlust

Seen on the road next to the turn-off to Vilaspesa, Aragon, Spain.

#Fensterfreitag #venstervrydag #aragon #spain

I came across this article today - all you would like to know about tent stakes and more.

https://slowerhiking.com/shelter/tent-stakes-for-backpacking-what-you-need-to-know.

#wanderlust #tents #whatsinyourpack #hiking

Many times I hear or see the question about what are the best shoes to buy for hiking. For me this is a question incorrectly asked, because many people think buying the "right" shoes will solve their foot discomforts. In reality the answer lies in a bigger ecosystem which includes:

- Good socks.
- Custom insoles.
- The technology in the sole of the shoot.
- The amount of ankle support required.
- The amount of breathability/waterproofing required.
- The shape of the feet of the person asking.
- The amount of hiking a person will do.

I cannot stress the positive impact of custom insoles. It reduces rolling of the feet and inappropriate angles in legs. Overall that also reduces fatigue.

Good socks are important. A good mix of merino and some silver threads are some of the best features. Silverlight and Darn Tough are the top brands in this space.

Then it comes to the shoes themselves. Personally, I only look for shoes nowadays that have some Vibram sole on them. I have found most other soles not to be durable enough. Therefore I eliminate any models from my search that doesn't fit criteria. Then only do I actually look for fit.

What does your criteria look like, or how would answer the question when someone asks you?

#whatsinyourpack #wanderlust #footwear #trailshoes #hiking

On a recent trip I took two groundsheets to try out - a Polycro and a Tyvek.

Polycro is lighter, but that is where its advantage ends. It is not as durable as Tyvek and it seems to attract moisture and dust a lot more.

The UL fanatics can keep ranting about Polycro, but I would rather use two Tyvek groundsheets in future.

#whatsinyourpack #hiking #sleeping #wanderlust #tyvek #polycro

The Dragon's Head by Jerkeo Gear is a useful little gas canister stabilizer at only 9g.

No only does it keep the canister off the ground, it also allows for adjustment on uneven ground.

https://www.garagegrowngear.com/collections/cookware-accessories/products/dragons-head-fuel-stand-by-jereko-gear

#whatsinyourpack #hiking #wanderlust #cooking #jerekogear #garagegrowngear

Waterfall at picnic area in Arinsal is busy with all the melting snow.

https://loops.video/v/eikYw9fBHs

#waterfallwednesday #watervalwoensdag #arinsal #andorra

Electronic I am taking on my next multi-day hikes:

- Mobile phone. I keep it in a pocket in my Forclaz trousers.

- Garman Fenix 6 smartwatch.

- Petzl Swift headlamp. I prefer the stronger beams that this offers as I use for walking in the dark and not just for camp cooking.

- Iniu powerbank. 20Ah. I am not taking my older Anker power bank as the Iniu has the capability of both usb-c and usb-a power out.

- usb-c to usb-c charge cable.

- usb-a to usb-c charge cable.

- usb-c to micro-usb adaptor (for charging headlamp).

- usb-c to garmin adaptor (for charging watch).

- 4lt Ultra-sil drybag from Sea to Summit for keeping everything together. This bag goes in the backpack as I don't normally need it in the day.

Not included in this list are camera equipment, spare batteries and chargers for cameras.

This time around I have cut some grams off the base weight by using shorter cables and then the adaptors instead of extra cables.

#FishRiverCanyon #drakensberg #southaftica #namibia #whatsinyourpack #hiking

My travels are starting in less than a month, and I've now gained an opportunity to hike a trail that I've never done, but was on my bucket list - The Naukluft trail in Namibia.

This is an 8-day trail in arid desert country, but it is mountainous country, rather than the sand desert of the Namib that borders it. It is a tough trail. Overnight points are fixed in basic shelters.

I'll be doing it in the southern winter - it will probably be hot ny day and cold by night.

I tried to find a short video that describes, but could only find one from 2016. Of course, if this triggers your interest you can watch long and more detailed videos on YT.

https://youtu.be/F1Bje1MFvh8?si=totPVyRb4FKcyTgG

#naukluft #hiking #namibia

Lyo Food: Crema Catalana

Pros: Tasty, even better than some of the real crema catalana that I have eaten in restaurants. Real bits of orange peel make the difference.

Cons: None. (It is not going to look like a real crema catalana tartlet, but you are on trail).

Verdict: If I want to take a dessert on trail, absolutely yes. I would even take two ginger biscuits to round it off.

https://lyofood.com/collections/desserts/products/crema-catalana

#trailfood #whatsinyourpack #hiking #lyofood

Interested in buying a Thermarest inflatable pad, but not sure which one? Well, the good folks at Ultralight Outdoor Gear has made a great blog post with a graphic.

https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/blog/thermarest-neoair-sleeping-mat-ranges-explained/

#thermarest #ultralightoutdoorgear #whatsinyourpack #hiking #sleeping

Lyo Food: Moroccan Stew

Pros: Tasty. Really like that they use polenta instead of cous-cous. Includes pumpkin seeds and chick peas. Subtly spices, definitely not bland.

Cons: None.

Verdict: Definitely a yes for the trail. Although instructions said to add water to line 1, I think adding up to line 2 works well enough.

(@b3rgdw3rg@mountains.social seconds this outcome).

#trailfood #whatsinyourpack #hiking #lyofood

As far as hiking goes, I was for a long time an avid user of Osprey backpacks + Osprey hydration bladders.

I have however come to realise that I now have come prefer the UL-style packs with the two large side pockets in which I can place water bottles. It was using the LiteAF 46lt full suspension pack that has driven this transition.

So much so that I am now thinking of getting a smaller pack around 30lt for multi-day hikes where stoves, tents and sleeping bags are not required.

This is also leading to the point where I am considering selling off some of my Osprey packs. (I still a big fan of Osprey though and will continue to use some of their other products).

I do like looking into UL packs where I can order customised as much as possible. This is not a cheap option, but neither are Osprey packs. If I'm going to spend money like that, it surely is better to have something that is customised to me.

The one thing that niggles is that using a UL-style pack does not really work for the occasional snow hike. Bottles on the outside will freeze. UL packs are not really meant for carrying skis and snowshoes.

#whatsinyourpack #hiking #backpacking #ospreypacks #liteaf

Lyo Food: Chilli Sin Carne

Pro: Tasty. The best in the series of food tested in Feb & Mar '26. Using polenta makes a big difference.

Cons: None

Verdict: Currently the first choice to take on trail.

#trailfood #whatsinyourpack #hiking #lyofood

Adventure Food: Vanilla Dessert

Pros: A simple dessert.

Cons: Finding the measuring line is hard - there are only two markers; not a solid line. Packet needs to be flattened out at the bottom before stirring. Difficult to avoid clumps even with a lot of stirring.

Verdict: No for me. OH says yes. Try at home first, before taking on trail.

#trailfood #whatsinyourpack #hiking #adventurefood #dessert

Adventure Food: Chocolate Mousse

Pros: Contains real pieces of chocolate!

Cons: Needs a lot of stirring to prevent clumps.

Verdict: After 4 days on trail, I am not sure this is exciting enough to cheer one up.

#trailfood #whatsinyourpack #hiking #adventurefood #dessert

After just two proper trips, printing on the Mazama M!GO bottles is coming off.

I did not expect this. The only abrasion that they were exposed to is the act of insertion and retrieval of two of those bottles next to each other in the same side pocket.

#whatsinyourpack #hydration #hiking #mazama

I have more 15%-off vouchers from Hilltop Packs than I can practically use.

So if you have been following me since BEFORE March 2026 (I know who most of you are), AND you could really use it, send me a private mention.

(My offer expires by Friday night).

@adnw are you sure you replied to the correct post?