Mountaineering and culture at heart of youth event in South Africa

The Global Youth Summit event took place in South Africa's "Dragon Mountains" between July 11 and 19. Organised by the Mountain Club of South Africa, the event was a gathering for young mountaineers to come together and trek in the Central Berg region of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Taking part were 20 participants from the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy and South Africa.

Based in the Giants Castle Reserve, the participants were in an excellent location to explore the surrounding area. The reserve is home to the some fantastic flora and fauna, including bearded vultures and some great terrain for climbing.

The group’s accommodation was a tent camp with only minimum facilities available to participants. The meet administrator, Jenny Paterson, had wondered how they would cope with it. But, as she said, “cope they did and quite honestly, I think they enjoyed it!” The first day was spent settling in and getting to know each other. They had the opportunity to explore local caves, view historical rock art and learn about the native San people.

Over the next five days, the group had aimed to climb to the Langalibalela Pass, traverse north and descend through the Bannerman Passes. Unpredictable and changeable weather on the mountains meant they had to adapt their plans and abandon some routes for safety reasons. Despite this, the group managed some adventurous trekking and exploring in the region.

Climb chimney

The final day saw the group climb Chimney Pot and do some bouldering, before packing their bags and preparing for an early departure. While the event’s main focus was on mountaineering, participants also experienced new cultures, rock art history and developed an appreciation for the natural environment. Most of all they accomplished the aim of bringing together young people from around the world, improving mountaineering techniques and making new friends. Jenny Paterson also commented on “How wonderfully this group bonded”. A full report of the event can be found on the Mountain Club of South Africa website. Or check out this picture gallery. 

The Global Youth Summit (GYS) is the name for UIAA Youth Events that promote peace and cooperation between countries and the protection of the environment. They centre on certain themes, including crag development, local ethics and traditions, improving individual performance and environmental awareness. More information on GYS events is available here.