It is unwise to deliberately court danger when this can be avoided. When planning a summer backpacking trip, take flooded rivers and thunderstorms into account and choose a route that best avoids the dangers inherent to these.

Poisonous snakes

Foremost on most hikers’ minds when they hike in the Natal Drakensberg in summer is poisonous snakes. On average, around two hikers are bitten each year, almost always by a puff adder. There are no recorded fatalities. The risks are low, but to reduce them further:

• Learn to recognise the poisonous snakes of the Drakensberg.
• Wear proper hiking boots, preferably with full length gaiters.
• Be on the alert constantly and check carefully before sitting down for a rest.
• Do not interfere with or try to pick up any snake – even a snake handler can make a mistake and you can do without this in the wilderness.

Flooded rivers

Flooded rivers are the most frequently encountered risk in the Natal Drakensberg, especially in high summer. Plan routes that avoid having to cross large rivers. However, even small streams can turn into raging torrents, so:

• Learn and practice techniques for crossing flooded rivers.
• Some techniques require the use of a walking rope, so carry one with you.
• The heavier you are, the less likely your feet will be swept out from under you; youngsters are particularly at risk and may find the experience terrifying – the smallest may need to be carried across.
• If the risk is unacceptable, wait for the river to go down; provided it is not still raining heavily in the catchment area, rivers can often drop quite significantly in 2 hours.

Lightning

Lightning seldom strikes the highest point in mountainous terrain. This is very obvious from the many lightning scars that remain clearly visible on the ground for years after. These scars give a good indication of where not to be during a thunderstorm. Of all the risks in the Natal Drakensberg, lightning is by far the most frightening because it is so violent and unpredictable.

During a storm, a charge builds in the cloud. In response, an oppositely-charged “shadow” builds up on the ground beneath the cloud and even follows it. Eventually, charge in the form of a step leader descends from the cloud and charge in the form of streamers rises up from the shadow to meet it. The two connect and a discharge in the form of a lightning strike occurs. Anything that can facilitate this discharge due to its electrical conductivity and height will “attract” lightning.

Backpackers may facilitate a lightning strike because:

• They are the highest point in that area.
• Their backpacks contain metal bars or tubing, as well as other metal objects such as stoves, gas canisters and utensils.
• They may be using aluminium trekking poles.
• Their boots may contain a metal shank.
• Their tent poles are made of aluminium.
• Dry synthetic clothing may acquire a static charge of its own.

Lighting deaths and injuries can be caused by direct strikes, side splashes, contact injuries (e.g. being in contact with a fence) and ground currents. Victims can suffer severe burns, cardiac and/or respiratory arrest, transient paralysis, confusion and seizures. At close range, the explosive shock wave can also cause concussive and shrapnel injuries, and hearing loss.  The bright flash may also cause temporary blindness. You can be shocked a considerable distance from a strike by ground current, because this can travel through streams, rivers and earth saturated with rain.

There have been reports of “a bolt out of the blue” in the Natal Drakensberg – a single lightning strike on a perfectly clear day with not a cloud in sight. It is really bad luck to be hit by one of these! Generally, you will have some forewarning of lightning because of the weather report, your observation of gathering storm clouds, and the sound of distant thunder.

Sound travels approximately one kilometre every three seconds, so you can easily judge how far away lightning is striking from you by counting the seconds between the lightning flash and its thunderclap. For example, 9 seconds means 3 km, 6 seconds means 2 km and 3 seconds means 1 km. If the last strike is 1 km or less from you, the next strike may be very near you at any moment.

To reduce your chances of being struck by lightning:

• Plan your route and progress so you can be under shelter well before an afternoon thunderstorm. Summer storms usually start from around 14h00, but they can occur any time of the day or night.
• If your group is caught out in the open in the path of an oncoming thunderstorm, spread out. There is no safety in staying huddled together – entire herds of cattle are killed this way. If you are spread out and someone is struck, he/she will need immediate assistance, possibly cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and there will be someone left alive to do this and call for help.
• The warning signs of an imminent lightning strike are the following, so if you experience them you are now in the charge shadow and you should immediately crouch low with your knees and feet together:
  • The hair on your arms, neck and head stands on end.
  • Your skin starts to tingle.
  • You get a strange metallic taste in your mouth.
  • You smell ozone (household electricity produces the same smell when it sparks or arcs).
• If you are in a cave, crouch low at its deepest point. If you are in a tent, just crouch low! In both cases, distance yourself from your stove fuel and try to insulate yourself from the ground by crouching on a foam rubber mattress if you have one.
• Stay clear of rivers and streams, even for the purpose of collecting water. It is not uncommon to be shocked while filling a water bottle during a thunderstorm. You certainly do not need the additional risk of electric shock while wading knee-deep or higher through a flooded river.

Hail

Small hailstones of even 1 cm in diameter hurt. Large ones can kill by blunt force trauma. The Underberg district of the southern Drakensberg frequently experiences golf ball-sized hail, and hailstones the size of grapefruit have been reported. Large hailstones are associated with especially violent thunderstorms, but small hailstones can fall without a thunderstorm being present overhead and this happens quite often in the Natal Drakensberg. Bare skin is especially vulnerable. If you are caught in hail:

• Shield your ears, nose and face with a brimmed hat or beanie, or pull a rain jacket hood over your cap, or pull a groundsheet over yourself.
• Seek shelter under a rock overhang, walking bent over and using your backpack for extra protection if necessary.
• Huddle on the ground under your backpack with a ground sheet tucked around you if you cannot find an overhang quickly enough.

Approaching hail – when there is a lot of it – makes a curious sound in the open as it strikes grass and rocks. Recognising this “white noise” in the background may give you a little lead time to prepare for the arrival of the hail.

Please also read the post titled White Squalls.

Hyperthermia

Normal body temperature is 37 °C. Hyperthermia refers to a group of heat-related conditions characterised by an abnormally high body temperature, defined as being greater than 37,5 °C. It is the opposite of hypothermia. 

Backpackers often experience mild dehydration in the Natal Drakensberg due to the huge exertion of the sport. This is compounded by a hot summer day and can lead to severe dehydration which manifests itself firstly as heat fatigue, followed by heat exhaustion if this is ignored. This progression can happen very rapidly – within the space of an hour – especially with athletes who are able to push themselves through pain and discomfort barriers.

Although there is an abundance of drinkable water in the Natal Drakensberg in summer, some ridges and passes may not have any streams. Backpackers need to keep themselves well-hydrated at all times, so if you expect to be spending a lot of time in the sun ascending a dry ridge or pass, carry extra water with you and have plenty of rest stops.

As the body attempts to cool itself by sweating, the sweat removes water and electrolytes, causing dehydration. Mild dehydration results in minor symptoms such as headache and muscle cramps. This can be treated by drinking more water, to which has been added a specialist electrolyte replacement such as Rehidrat, but most sports drinks contain some electrolyte replacements. A small amount of ordinary table salt can provide almost immediate relief from muscle cramp, but it must be taken with a large amount of water. Magnesium salts are a healthier option but they are far too slow-acting.

Severe dehydration can strip the body of its ability to cool itself. The first stage is heat fatigue.  Symptoms include muscle cramps, light-headedness, headache, nausea, physical exhaustion and flushed (red) skin. The resting heart rate may be elevated.

To treat mild to moderate hyperthermia:

• Get out of the sun if possible (you can use a groundsheet and trekking poles to make a sunshade).
• Stop physical activity.
• Sip an electrolyte drink.
• Loosen or remove excess clothing.
• Cool off in a stream or wet your shirt and hat or cap.
• Lie down and relax.
• Do not resume activity until symptoms have gone away.

Seek medical attention if heat cramps last longer than one hour. Medical attention should also be sought for general symptoms that do not improve within 30 minutes of rest and care. The victim may need to be placed on a drip and provided with some relief for excruciating muscle cramps.

If the symptoms of heat fatigue are not dealt with, heat exhaustion can very quickly follow. The most obvious symptoms for an observer are cold, pale, wet skin. Vomiting and diarrhoea may occur, and there may be mild swelling of the feet, ankles, fingers and hands. The most alarming symptoms are a fast, weak pulse accompanied by temporary fainting or loss of consciousness.

A body temperature of more than 40 °C is defined as severe hyperthermia or heat stroke, which is a life-threatening condition. The skin is hot and flushed again, but this time it may be dry because of extreme dehydration. Breathing is fast and deep. Confusion, disorientation, blurred vision, lack of coordination, irritability and mood swings indicate that the condition is starting to have a neurological impact. Seizures, organ failure, brain damage, coma and death can follow.

Sunburn

The thinner air at altitude allows more harmful ultraviolet radiation to penetrate the atmosphere through to ground level. There is very little shade to be found in the Natal Drakensberg, and it is hikers’ lore that you will spend the hottest time of the day climbing the steepest hill with the least shade.

In summer, even on an overcast day, the UV Index in the Berg is very high (8-10). Use sunscreen on exposed skin, and safer still, cover up with technical, UV-protective long-sleeved shirt and long-pants. A hiker’s tan is not the most flattering anyway! Always wear a cap or hat, and watch out for getting the tips of your ears and nose burnt. If you stop to swim, be especially careful to not expose bare skin for too long. Carrying a backpack over burnt shoulders and back is very uncomfortable.