RHINO. The Peak.

RHINO. The Peak. RHINO, The Peak is the planet's only mountain peak higher than 3000 meters named after one of its mo

The world’s only peak over 3000metres named RHINO is secured for the benefit of rhino conservation. Coinciding with World Rhino Day on 22 September 2015, a team of crack trail runners will challenge the mountain by running from a given starting point to the summit of RHINO, The Peak and back to set a new, certified Fastest Known Time (FKT). The runners will follow a wilderness trail ascending more

than 1200 metres through what is arguably the most spectacular and pristine mountain terrain in the world. The trail follows the Mlambonja river, past the famous Pillar Cave and up the precipitous Mashai pass to the edge of the Maloti-Drakensberg escarpment. From here they will run along the escarpment edge and reach the summit of RHINO, The Peak via a steep, rocky scramble. Welcoming them on the summit will be a team of hikers and rock climbers who summited the peak earlier in the day. The runners will return to the starting point and the one recording the fastest time over the distance will be credited with the first certified FKT. The Challenge will be captured on video and by photograph to populate RHINO, The Peak web site and its social pages. At the commemorative dinner sponsored by the Gooderson Drakensberg Gardens Golf & Spa Resort, a GOLD Certificate will be awarded to the athlete who achieved RHINO, The Peak Fastest Known Time. Inaugural certificates will also be awarded to the supporting trail runners, rock climbers and hikers who successfully completed the RHINO, The Peak Challenge on the day. Accommodation for the athletes is also sponsoderd by Drakensberg Gardens Resort. Following 2015 Rhino Benefit Challenge, dignitaries, trail runners and hikers from across the globe will be invited to register for RHINO, The Peak Challenge and contribute to rhino conservation. Its unique connection with its namesake and its natural beauty makes RHINO, The Peak a premier destination for international FKT athletes, hikers and tourists. To further contribute to rhino conservation and wilderness trail maintenance, a mountain triathlon, named Rhino Revenge and a family challenge, named the Rhino Romp will be held in the shadow of RHINO, The Peak in 2016. Part of the proceeds of every registered rhino challenge will be donated to rhino conservation and Maloti-Drakensberg wilderness trail maintenance. Publicity pictures are available for download from the GALLERY page at www.rhinothepeak.co.za.

The mists rise over a wintry Mlambonja River valley. The trail to Mashai Pass and Rhino Peak traverses this spectacular ...
28/07/2021

The mists rise over a wintry Mlambonja River valley. The trail to Mashai Pass and Rhino Peak traverses this spectacular valley. A stubby horn of the Rhino defines the skyline.

18/07/2020

Nearly a month after the winter solstice, when the ten hours of daylight barely warmed the frozen fields underfoot, we begin to see a subtle change... The willow fronds are turning red with moistening life and the grass, flattened by icy winds and the absence of rain are puffing and softening with every second added to daylight.

We who have endured the Underberg seasons look skyward for signs... high veils of cirrus clouds, a threatening push in the northwest wind, a hint of moisture, a feel in the gut. Our snowy season approaches. The hills will once again be white, the trees bow under a blanket of snow. Willow leaves will glow the colour of limes and cheerful streams will feed and quicken the slow, drowsy rivers.

This picture shows the Umzimkulu river at the Route 617 crossing with pastures leading all the way to Hodgsons Peaks on the snowy horison.

05/06/2020

Nicole Helene Myrla Esterhuizen sent us this photo montage with this celebratory comment...

25 years ago when my feet and ankles were still working I climbed Rhino Peak with my brother and a friend of his. That was half a life time ago!!!! Glad I did it then.

Engraved in my memory.

05/10/2019

...when a flush of summer colour returns to Underberg's beautiful mountains. Seen from the ridge above Drakensberg Gardens Resort, Garden Castle Nature Reserve.

13/09/2019

Looking up the Mlambonja River valley towards the Mashai Pass, a snowy escarpment and Rhino the peak. Mzimkulu Wilderness.

06/09/2019

💥 And the winner of our competition is Andrew van Rensburg (ticket number 155).🏆

Together, Andrew and Ryan Sandes will take on the 2019 Rhino Peak Challenge as Team Salomon. Andrew will also recieve R6,500 worth of gear from Salomon.

👉 We had a total of 159 entries (donations) in the competition and used Google's Random Number Generator to select a number.

Thank you to everyone who participated and donated! We raised R15,900 for the Rhino Peak Challenge. 🙌


30/08/2019

Good luck to the formidable Naomi Brand who is racing UTMB (170km) this weekend. ⛰✊

The race starts tonight at 6pm and will be live-streamed via Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc - UTMB Facebook and Website: https://utmbmontblanc.com/en/live

👉 Naomi is one of the elite runners for the 2019 Rhino Peak Challenge which is taking place on October 5th.

16/08/2019

💥 Competition Announcement!

Want to run the 2019 Rhino Peak Challenge alongside one of South Africa's BEST trail runners? You'll also get fully kitted out in this runner's sponsor's gear. 😎🙌

Keep an eye on our social media early next week for the elite reveal and competition details. 👀

Any guesses who the elite is...?

07/08/2019

The Southern Drakensberg in all its winter glory. ⛰👌


03/05/2019

Marlaine Lawrence constantly keeps her eye on Rhino, the peak. Today she posted this seductive picture, which expresses all the mystery, the majesty and the stunning beauty of our peak... the pride of the southern Drakensberg. Thanks for sharing, Marlaine.

For anyone planning to summit Rhino, the Peak this Easter weekend, take note of inclement weather arriving Saturday afte...
17/04/2019

For anyone planning to summit Rhino, the Peak this Easter weekend, take note of inclement weather arriving Saturday afternoon. The front will effect the peak all Sunday and there is a chance of snow falls on the high sections of the route on Monday.

It is the season for climbing Rhino, the peak. Total distance to the peak and back to the Garden Castle Rangers office is 21km, which includes some 1200 meters vertical ascent... and of course, descent. It is one of the finest and most accessible peaks in the entire Drakensberg. It is the only peak in the world over 3000 meters named after the RHINO.

The picture shows the route from just beyond Pillar Cave. This is the second and more challenging stage of the ascent to the summit. Some folks prefer to climb the peak over two days, spending the night in Pillar cave. Others do so in a single day while world-class trail runners have recently done the distance in just two-and-a-half hours.

Summer is the season to tackle this magnificent mountain. Book your overnight in Pillar cave or stay in a local B&B. But gather your boots and your back pack and get to Underberg.

Address

Main Road
Underberg
3257

Telephone

0728073700

Website

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