Cederberg trials

We set out this morning with the ideal blue skies to put a nest camera up in the Cederberg. After a three hour hike to reach the base of the nest we gave our legs a short rest while we swallowed lunch and then headed up again. Lucia Rodrigues based herself in the valley to watch the behavior of the eagles and our progress while we bundu bashed and scrambled our way up a ravine to get to the top of the nest cliff for the abseil.

On our way up we were rewarded with a quick peek at our target as the incubating eagle stayed on the nest while we passed on one section of the hike. After a further two hour upwards journey we were greeted at the top by the unexpected … snow! Of all the obstacles and overhangs (and hangovers?!) which we had anticipated I did not predict that we would have to battle the elements quite so harshly.  After weighing up our concerns for the viability of the eggs and the safety of the climber we made the decision to abort todays camera mission and retreated down the mountain. Happily we put on our warm clothes and accepted the Cederberg Gods would not let us continue. Now I’m sitting by a log fire hoping for better conditions tomorrow…

Climber Mark Cowen enjoying the snow