Tag Archives: exploration
Leqooa Ridge
Only three ridges in Southern Africa rise above 3400m. The northern two of these both contain country high points and are hiked more frequently as a result. If measured from the escarpment edge, in a reasonably straight line, to the point where the drainage basins these ridges separate finally combine, the Mafadi/Makheka Ridge and the […]
Groot Winterberg
When I first looked over the list of summits in South Africa with at least 1000m topographic prominence, my reaction was that the list was not worth attempting due to how remote some of the peaks were – in particular, Groot Winterberg in the Eastern Cape. With no major roads nearby, no information available online […]
Iron Crown Trail Race
One of my minor ongoing projects is to climb all nine province high points in South Africa. It isn’t something I have pursued with much urgency, it arguably started when I stood on top of Mafadi – the highest point in South Africa – more than a decade ago. Another of my ongoing projects is […]
Cockscomb
I first identified the list of mountains in South Africa with at least 1000m topographic prominence in 2020. I had realised my planned trip to Nepal wouldn’t be happening due to Covid travel restrictions, and had also realised that I would need to take some leave soon if I was going to use all my […]
Annapurna Sanctuary
Machhapuchhare is an unclimbed 6993m mountain in the Annapurna Region of Nepal. It’s name means “Fish Tail Mountain” and it is sacred to the people of the region. It is also a mountain that has been on my to-visit list for many years. When I compiled my “5 most beautiful mountains” list, it featured in […]
Everest Basecamp Part 6: Gokyo to Lukla
After enjoying a good lunch in Gokyo, I went to my room and lay down for a bit. Gokyo Ri was one of my main objectives for the trip, and having ticked every to-do list item so far, I wasn’t going to miss the last peak – but my legs were really feeling the strain […]
Everest Basecamp Part 5: Cho La Pass and Gokyo
Leaving Labuche, I was really feeling the fatigue from so many days of hiking. It had been 8 long and difficult days, and I had been above 5000m daily for the last 5 days, and had been above 4600m for the entirety of the last 4 days. Setting out from Labuche on a cold sunny […]
Everest Basecamp Part 4: Kongma La and EBC
I had enjoyed my time around Ama Dablam and below the slopes of the legendary Lhotse South Face, but it was time to tackle the first pass of the trip, Kongma La. Acclimatisation had gone really well, and with the 5550m summit of Chukhung Ri done, I was confident that Kongma La was doable. Both […]
Everest Basecamp Part 3: Nangkartshang and Chuckhung Ri
After two nights in Pangboche, with my “rest day” hike to Ama Dablam Basecamp – I was happy to start moving up the valley again. The objective for the day was simple – hike to Dingboche and head up the hiking summit of Nangkartshang for some extra acclimatisation and some great views. Walking out of […]
Everest Basecamp Part 2: Ama Dablam Basecamp
I woke up and took a look out my window. Kongde Ri was calmly waiting on the other side of the glass, across a deep valley. The scale of these mountains takes some getting used to! The usual first view of Everest had not provided a view the previous day, but I knew I would […]
Ghaznavid Hiking 
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