Silent Hiking for 7 days in South Africa and Lesotho

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📖 TRAVEL GUIDE for this trek: https://store.harmenhoek.com/products/guide-backpacking-the-drakensberg-south-africa-2-10-days
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Full film available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTnaRL49Q_Y.

ABOUT THE HIKE
In March 2022 I solo hiked for 8-days in the Drakensberg mountains on the border of South Africa and Lesotho.
My route started in Cathedral Peak in uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. I hiked up to the escarpment via Organ Pipes Pass where I headed north towards the Mnweni area. I got down the escarpment via Rockeries Pass for resupplies and back up (bushwacking) via Fangs Pass. North at the top of Tugela Falls in the Amphitheater of Royal Natal National Park I met up with my dad to spend one last night up the escarpment. We got down via the infamous Sentinel Ladder.

Favorite hike in the world. The weather, terrain, views, people and remoteness make this hike really unique. Also the most challenging hike to date.

GEAR
Camera: https://amzn.to/31aQofa
Lens 12-35: https://amzn.to/3jJN4ht
Lens 7-14: https://amzn.to/3GrLyu5
Lens 40-160: https://amzn.to/33Z1nKc

Drone: https://amzn.to/30XYeZl
Tripod: https://amzn.to/3vOW2ik
Spare batteries camera: https://amzn.to/3nBDv6k
Camera quick release plate: https://amzn.to/33PdKbk
Camera slider: https://amzn.to/3KRWDG6
Tripod head: https://amzn.to/3nEKlHU
Variable ND filter: https://amzn.to/3AgQIGy
Satellite communicator (SOS device): https://amzn.to/3HGWGDa
Phone: https://amzn.to/33pRaGJ
Running GPS watch: https://amzn.to/3KrOZmE
Earphones: https://amzn.to/3IiQZeT
Headlamp: https://amzn.to/3tGULec

Tent: https://amzn.to/3t3xnXK
Tent footprint: https://amzn.to/3nHn48i
Backpack: https://amzn.to/3BgTRoM
Rain cover: https://amzn.to/3rvyg9o
Water bottle with filter: https://amzn.to/3pZzvi3
Water bottle: https://amzn.to/3bivrRb
Water sack: https://amzn.to/2XSsiVf
Air mattress: https://amzn.to/3pIKSKO
Pillow: https://amzn.to/3CoSoOE
Cooking kit: https://amzn.to/3FR7j50
Stove: https://amzn.to/3vPUp3K
Shoes: https://amzn.to/30XZ4VZ
Coffee drip: https://amzn.to/31vqdAf
Sleeping bag: https://amzn.to/3t84gmo
Summer sleeping bag: https://amzn.to/3r0BTUi
Socks: https://amzn.to/3Gmr7hX
Hiking Poles: Decathlon Forclaz MH500
Shirt: North Face Summit Series Futurefleece
Down jacket: https://bit.ly/3Ip5Fcs (women: https://bit.ly/3KxC2Yj)
Rain jacket: https://bit.ly/3GHQevD (women: https://bit.ly/3GRImYw)
Knife: https://amzn.to/3KtgrQL
Thin gloves: https://amzn.to/3KnxV15
Winter hiking boots: https://amzn.to/3tEtDwa
Snow shoes: https://amzn.to/33QOWQd

This is an ambient film without dialog.

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:38 Day 1 - Thunderstorms from a cave (17km, 2400m gain)
4:23 Day 2 - The shepherds (20km, 1200m gain)
7:55 Day 3 - Storm down to Mnweni (22km, 900m gain)
11:53 Day 4 - Mnweni children (11km, 300m gain)
14:15 Day 5 - Bushwhacking up the escarpment (24km, 2300m gain)
17:01 Day 6 - Where the Lesotho shepherds live (15km, 800m gain)
20:04 Day 7 - Hi dad! (18km, 800m gain)
22:30 Day 8 - World's tallest waterfalls (19km, 600m gain)
25:35 Outro (photos)

#drakensberg #southafrica #solohiking #southafrica #hiking #solocamping #silentfilm