My epic day in the Drakensberg, S. Africa involved two of my favorite things: monkeys and mountains.

1. Monkeys and Mountains: My EPIC Day in the Drakensberg
monkeysandmountains.com /monkeys-and-mountains-drakensberg
My EPIC day in the Drakensberg, the highest mountain range in southern Af rica, involved two of
my f avorite things: monkeys and mountains!
It started with a hike to Orange Peel Gap, in the shadow of Cathedral Peak. There were incredible views throughout the
entire hike that kept my motivation up. It wasn’t easy though. There were times I wanted to turn around and quit. I was
tired, dehydrated and the hike felt harder than it really was. I preserved. Not even the odd cobra darting in front of my
path deterred me and I’m petrified of snakes. One of the reasons I love hiking so much is that it parallels life in a lot of
ways – sure it’s easy to give up, but then you aren’t going to get the sense of accomplishment (and the gorgeous view
when hiking). If you give up every time you get tired, or there’s a tough patch, chances are you’re probably not going
to accomplish much of anything – when hiking or in life.
I wearily pressed on for several
hours, focusing on each step I
was taking and not how far I still
had to go. Each step I took, no
matter how slow, or how small,
was getting me closer to my goal
of reaching Orange Peel Gap.
Eventually I made it. Our guide
was disappointed that it had taken
us two hours longer than
expected, but nevertheless I got
there. Better late than never! My
efforts were rewarded with a view
over the UNESCO designated
Drakensberg.
I was proud of myself. Not so
much for hiking to Orange Peel
Gap as I’ve done tons of hikes
that were longer or more
strenuous, but for preserving, for
Th e tr a i l to O r a n g e P e e l G a p a n d th e vi e ws o n th e r e tu r n .

2. not giving up even when I didn’t
think I could make it. I took an
hour to enjoy the reward. My
energy and spirit returned. And
the way down was much easier.
Two months later, I still feel a
sense of accomplishment.
Vi e w fr o m O r a n g e P e e l G a p – My r e wa r d fo r a l l th e e ffo r t!
Driving back to Didima Chalets where we were staying, we came across a troop of baboons, including a baby baboon.
Just hanging out, foraging, being baboons. I was in heaven. I am fascinated by primates (and even hold a B.Sc in
Primatology – the study of primates) and can watch them for hours, especially when they’re in their natural habitats.
Sadly, but not surprisingly the rest of our group couldn’t, so we hopped back in the van.

3. As we exited the van at Didima Chalets our guide noticed more baboons hanging out around the chalets. Our group
snapped a couple of photos then headed back to their rooms for a much needed shower, but missing out on a baby
baboon temper- tantrum. I stayed alone observing them until finally all I could make out in the darkening light were
shadows of the few remaining baboons, the rest having headed to the mountains for the night.
I gave a silent “thank you” to them for allowing me to observe them and take over 300 photos. I also gave a silent
thanks to the cobras whose paths I had crossed earlier that day. They had not harmed me and were as unexcited to
see me as I was to see them. Encountering them has made me a little less fearful of snakes. Finally, I said a thank you
to the Drakensberg. You showed me what I was really made of and what I’m capable of when I preserve. And nothing
is more epic than that.
Thank you to the South African Tourist Board for hosting me.