Mountaineers complete the nine peaks
Two of the six men who set out to climb the highest peaks in each of the nine provinces of the country have completed their adventure.
Morehill resident Burns Maclear (68) and Rynfield resident Koos Bouwer (66) submitted their last mountain early last week, in KwaZulu-Natal.
They climbed Mafadi, the country’s highest point, which stands at 3 451m – completing 22 401m in the seven months it took them to climb nine peaks.
Maclear initiated the Nine Peaks for Northfield fund-raiser last year, and received support from five of his long-time friends, who decided to accompany him on his mission.
Maclear and Bouwer told the City Times on Friday that they were saddened that Trevor Long, Dave Inggs, Fred Ashton and Rob Beardsley were unable to climb all nine peaks with them.
The four men fell out at various stages, due to the toughness of the feat and work commitments.
The two Benonians were, however, determined to complete their mission, despite losing their friends along the way.
“I didn’t have a doubt that we would complete it,” said Bouwer after they completed the final climb.
“I thought we’d manage to do it as a team and I’m disappointed we didn’t all make it, because when you are a team you support each other.”
The duo told the City Times, at the Northfield Methodist Church, that their last climb was by far the toughest of them all.
Bouwer said he was determined to complete the ninth mountain, despite he and Maclear having to pull themselves up a stretch of the mountain by holding onto vegetation.
“I have to do it,” Bouwer said to himself en route to the top.
“Even if I drag myself through, I have to get myself through to the summit – I just have to do it.”
Both men said it was extremely arduous, but their tenacity ensured they achieved their goal.
Maclear and Bouwer said all the climbs taught them to never throw in the towel and they also realised the true beauty of the country and its people.
“I discovered some of the amazing beauty of this country that I never knew existed,” Bouwer explained.
“You will never know the beauty in this country unless you do those climbs.
“There are so many places that we are not even aware of that exist in South Africa.
“We also found amazing help and support from all sorts of people along the way.”
Bouwer added that the scenery at the Western Cape climb was more beautiful than the Grand Canyon or God’s Window (which he has seen with his own eyes).
Both men thanked everyone who supported them in their adventure, including the Northfield Methodist Church staff and congregation.
People have until Sunday to pledge a minimum of one cent submitted, or any amount which they choose to donate.
A total of R50 000 has been pledged thus, far which will be used for the church’s missions.
