Day 11 – The Challenge of Sungubala Mountain

40 days – 40 hikes – Walking 4 Education

Education is the movement from darkness to light . ~ Allan Bloom

Temperatures had dropped a little but we awoke to clear skies. We met our hikers on the front lawn, handed out the lunch packs, and began our walk through the Fern Forest, along Bushbuck Ridge to Sungubala Camp where we met our guide for the day, Godfrey.

We hiked along the old jeep track until we reached the property fence and then it was up, up and up some more. This is a hike done only by a handful of folk so there isn’t a well established path but the higher one goes, the more expansive the views and the shorter grasses make bundu-bashing a little easier.

Once we almost at the cliff line the path headed to the right and then up the Juluka Pass. Juluka is to sweat. And the steep climb means you sweat hard, you sweat tears and just when you think you’re at the top, you discover there is more to come!

After three and a half hours of climbing we summited Sungubala. The party split, one bunch heading for the lunch spot and the rest of us to the highest point. There was also talk of “talking rocks” which made us a little inquisitive… The large iron stones rock on windy days which makes a banging noise. Could be rather scary on a cold windy night!

We ate lunch and basked in the gorgeous sunshine before we began the slog home. And a slog it was! Bundu-bashing on uneven terrain behind Hlolela, then Battleship and finally to the top of Sugar Loaf Gap. We were pleased to see The Cavern buildings!

A great hike, a bit harder than I remember and definitely an excellent option for those that are looking for a challenge in the great outdoors!

An update to our progress so far…