[blindza] Article about the drakensberg hike which also had that blind guy
- From: "Jacob Kruger" <jacobk@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "BlindZA" <blindza@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2007 21:38:47 +0200
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Subject: Hikers conquer Grand Traverse
Hermanus Times, South Africa
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Hikers conquer Grand Traverse
By Kerry van Rensburg
31/05/2007 12:01 PM - (SA)
Four tough women from Hermanus have recently returned from the Drakensberg
mountains after conquering the Grand Traverse which is regarded as the
Comrades
of hiking.
Starting at the Sentinel in the north on 22 April, Michelle Lawrance,
Christene Hibberd, Heleen du Toit and Antionette van Vuuren, together with
eight
other hikers, spent the next 13 days climbing at an average height of 3000 m
in often icy conditions. Wind storms, rain, hail, snow and temperatures of
-11°C were just some of the extremes they had to contend with.
Antionette says: "We had to carry all our own supplies and we slept in
tents, not in chalets or parks."
The four local hikers joined a team from the Roodepoort Hiking Club and, in
association with the South African National Council for the Blind (SANCB),
the whole aim of the gruelling adventure was to raise awareness and funds
for visually impaired people in the workplace.
Participating in the hike was legally blind Jaco Lubbe, a 30-year-old
desktop support officer for an IT firm, who proved to the world that blind
and partially
sighted people can accomplish physically, mentally and emotionally demanding
tasks and are equal to the challenge.
Members of the group took turns to lead Jaco and he used two walking poles
for balance.
One of the highlights of the trip was reaching Mafadi Peak which at 3 450 m
above sea level, is the highest peak in South Africa.
Also on the hike was 74-year-old Walter Mossner, who is the oldest man ever
to complete the traverse.
Along the way - all 260 km of it - with ascents and descents, the group
experienced nature at its grandest in the form of Cathedral Peak, Tugela
Falls,
The Bell, Chessmen, Organ Pipes, Giants Cup and Sani Pass.
They ended at Bushmans Neck after 13 days of cold, blisters and magnificent
frozen waterfalls.
Summing up her experience of the traverse, Christine Hibberd said: "We were
prepared but it was very tough. It's tough because it's so long and sleeping
in tents for 13 days in such cold temperatures was trying. It was physically
and mentally demanding but the four of us were very focused. It was also a
very deep spiritual experience ? you feel so close to God and creation."
The team from Hermanus, who had to pay their own way, have conquered one of
the most challenging hikes in the world and in so doing have contributed
significantly
to SANCB's worthwhile mission.
http://www.news24.com/Regional_Papers/Components/Category_Article_Text_Template/0,2430,486-658-672_2122215~E,00.html
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