Take a hike with young Georgina
Thompson said that she absolutely loved all the views from the top of the Drakensberg and it felt like a totally different world up there and she just couldn't get enough of it.
Olivedale-based Georgina Thompson became one of the first two schoolgirls, along with Karijn Kooy, to complete the 250km Drakensberg grand traverse as a part of the school’s hiking team.
Thompson explained that it was her love of the mountains, as well as the idea of a challenge that inspired her to join the team. “I was also inspired when some schoolmates completed it last year. Seeing the photos and hearing about their experiences made me want to have this experience too.”
She added that it feels great to be one of the school’s first girls to complete the hike.
“It was cool as I was hiking to know that Karijn and I were doing something new and unique. Being able to be the first schoolgirl to complete it makes me feel so fortunate and grateful for the unique opportunities that our school offers us.”
There were some physical challenges, such as hiking through the strong winds and hail, sore feet and tiredness, and being cold and out of our comfort zones. Thompson definitely found out early on that the traverse is a mental game.
“The biggest challenges for me were mental. The feelings of anxiety that I experienced in the last few days when we all were just wanting to get home. I overcame my challenges through my faith in God and trusting God to keep me safe and get me through it.
She added that it also helped to have the support of all the others. The people who were always looking out for her as well as knowing that her family, friends and fellow learners back at school were all rooting for them.
Thompson and her group of four schoolmates and three staff members expected to complete the trip in 15 days. However, they put in a few extra kilometres at the end of each day and managed to complete it in 13 days.
“It feels really good knowing that I set my mind to something and was able to accomplish it. I feel glad that I did this and that I can now look back on it for the rest of my life with no regrets.”
“I loved the rawness of the mountains. How it’s so isolated from civilization, so clean and natural and beautiful. I also loved seeing all the different birds, the stars at night, the sunsets and sunrises and the rivers and waterfalls,” said Thompson.
Related Article:
Meerkats, mountains and memorable moments in the Klein Karoo
