THE eShowe Ramblers club had an eventful weekend in Injesuthi Reserve in the Drakensberg.
While returning from a hike to Battle Cave on Sunday, they found their path cut off by a runaway veld fire, fanned by gale force winds.
The group sought refuge atop a 5m rock as they were not prepared to chance a possible wind direction change needing them to outrun the fire.
They also decided against heading for the river due to the thick smoke in the valley and the difficulty for the two toddlers who were with them.
After what seemed an age they were able to make their way down via the normal path which was now clearly visible.
Three other parties found themselves in similar predicament and using different tactics all made it back to camp.
One party, consisting of four young girls and two fathers, the Hockly brothers, previously from Zululand, only made it down well after dark.
The eShowe Ramblers have renamed the reserve Inje sootie.
