Aditya’s Giants Cup Trail – December 2010

Aditya Sinha – Ultimate Survivor

Aditya Sinha is a 12 year old Indian boy from Mumbai who emigrated to South Africa with his family 3 years ago. He is a big fan of Ultimate Survival and has been some time since he has wanted to emulate his hero. So a few weeks ago he decided to surf the internet to look for an adventure. He sent some emails around, one of which landed on my inbox. To cut a long story short he convinced the rest of his family and some of their friends to join me on a 3 day hike in the Drakensberg.

Except for Kili Legend Sandeep Khanna, none of them had done any backpacking in the past, so the Giants Cup Trail seemed to be the most suitable choice for them. This is the only established trail in the Drakensberg. The trail is in good condition, well-signed, scenic and overnights are in cosy mountain huts. Although rustic, the huts are clean with flushing toilets and some of them even offer a hot shower. A sleeping bag, some clothes and food is all you need. It doesn’t get any more comfortable but hiking with a backpack on in the Drakensberg is always tough. A distance of 10km can take you the whole day.

For Adi and his family the 3 days were very challenging but they managed fantastically and loved every single second of it. The Drakensberg is so beautiful at this time of the year! The summer rain fills up the rivers, the streams and the pools; the wild flowers are blooming and the grass is dark green.

If you would like to do this hike contact us at [email protected] or have a look at our website www.spanafrican-adventures.co.za for other exciting hikes.

On our way to Mzimkhulwana Hut – Having a rest on the first hill

Still fresh – The Giants Cup in the background

Pankaj and Aditya Sinha

Tortoise Rocks

Barely visible Bushmen painting at Bathplug Cave

Kili legend Sandeep Khanna

Grass lit on fire after being struck by lightning

Continuous breaks were necessay during the hot central hours of the day.

Siesta time for Kanika

Leena Sinha – One of our two superwomen

Last kilometers down to Mzimkhulwana Hut

7am: Leaving Mzimkhulwana Hut

That’s what I call a perfect hut for a summer hike in the Drakensberg! – Rakhi under it

Rakhi enjoying the wobbly bridge

Sandeep, our morale booster

Pankaj Sinha introducing Garden Castle

My group – An Indian delight

Protea Dracomontana

Refreshing at Boulder Pool

Lunch time by the most beautiful spot

Winterhoek Camp – 3rd hut in the Giants Cup Trail

Climb up Black Eagle Pass – The hardest section in the Giants Cup Trail

Superwomen on the steepest section

Some precarious spots on the Black Eagle Pass

Mzimkhulu Valley – Lake Navarone

Backpacks – first timers’ worst nightmare

End of the hike – Happy to be finished!