Post #2411771

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