A Short History of the GT

The first ideas of a Grand Traverse of the Natal Drakensberg  must have originated with Lawrence Bates in the 1970’s. He led hikes for the Durban Ramblers Hiking Club. One of the first stepping stones towards a full traverse was a “mini-GT”, and Lawrence led one from Bushman’s Nek to Giant’s Castle Pass in 1977.

Lawrence established the Durban-based Mountain Backpackers Club in 1987 and led the first recorded Grand Traverse that year. Since the mid-1990’s, the Grand Traverse has become the most important and most anticipated annual event in the Mountain Backpackers Club fixture list. It has always been a whole-club affair, because it has become a tradition for other members to carry resupplies up to the GT team and spend a night on the escarpment with them. The GT leader normally does a presentation at a club social soon after the conclusion of the traverse. This shared experience has encouraged other members to participate in subsequent GTs.

The leadership and logistical support offered by the Mountain Backpackers Club for its Grand Traverses is one of the reasons the club has become a popular go-to point for foreigners who have become inspired to do one themselves. The biggest attraction for them is that they can do a GT without incurring the cost of a local guide, they have safety in numbers, and transport is arranged for them. As a result, the club’s GTs attract backpackers from around the world.

This does not mean that the Mountain Backpackers Club has sole ownership of the Grand Traverse. To the contrary, it is pleased to see other clubs and individuals taking up the challenge, and the club’s GT leaders are always willing to offer advice.

Presented by Landlubbers Adventures