PEAK HIGH Mountaineering

A 1.5 DAY HIKE IN THE CENTRAL DRAKENSBERG

A hike and easy scramble up a small but prominent peak topping out onto a small summit. The hike starts and ends at 1680m. The highest point is 2973m at the summit. The total distance is 16kms to the summit and back.

The hiking is all on trail. On the summit day there is steep hiking including some easy scramble sections. The guide takes a safety rope for this. You could see wild animals including antelope, baboons and the rare Bearded Vulture. We hike to base camp and stay in small mountain tents at the foot of the peak and then do the climb the next day and return home.

We guide this hike at any time of the year. Summer is between November and March and is hot and humid. Autumn and winter have warm days and frosty nights down to minus 8C. Porters are available on request.

SANDSTONE CLIMBING AT GARDEN CASTLE, SOUTHERN DRAKENSBERG, SOUTH AFRICA

3 pitches
Trad (natural protection)
Grade F3
Climbing – All year round
Over all feel – non committing, fun climbing to a tiny summit

A pinnacle on Garden Castle mountain ending on a narrow rock summit followed by an airy abseil.

The approach hike is 2.5 hours. You must be able to belay properly with double ropes and abseil without a safety rope. Some prior rock climbing experience is essential. Peak High has a policy that clients will belay the guide only with auto-locking or assisted breaking type devices. (e.g. GriGri or ATC Pilot) We provide these if clients do not already have them.

NAMBIA

Granite desert peak
Trad & Sport (natural protection & bolted)
Mainly multi-pitch climbs
Overall feel – unbelievably beautiful scenery, friction and crack climbing on sun kissed granite.

The main summit is a full day route of grade 16 on some pitches. (USA 5.8 or UK HVS 4c). There are many other routes to climb. Spitzkop is the main peak and there are several other peaks, all with climbs on them. There is a lot to do and it’s best to go for at least 3 days. Camping or rustic chalets. Nearest airport – Windhoek

You need some prior rock climbing experience. To get the most out of your trip its worthwhile being fit enough to at least climb the Standard Route on the main peak. 7 pitches and lots of hard scrambling. All day outing. Most clients have climbed with Gavin Raubenheimer on mountains prior to Spitzkop or shown proof of prior experience. Peak High has a policy that clients will belay the guide only with auto-locking or assisted breaking type devices. (e.g. GriGri or ATC Pilot) We provide these if clients do not already have them.