Second and third degree burns on day five of a Drakensberg Grand Traverse did not mar an amazing experience for Howick teenager, Daniel Jonck, a Grade 11 student at Treverton College.
Dan spilt a cup of hot water, burning the top of his foot. That night he endured significant pain, at this point many people would have conceded victory to the mighty mountains, but Dan remained committed to the rest of the planned 15-day journey. By loosening the dressing, he found he could manage the discomfort and with his group of ten, continued to clock almost twenty kilometres daily. They finished the entire 250 km journey in 13 days, in good weather broken briefly by a hailstorm and subsequent 50 to 60 knot winds.
‘When he arrived home, he had to soak his foot to get it out of his sock.’ said Dan’s mom Claire Perrett.
Happily, the burns healed well, and Dan looks forward to a 40km run this coming weekend in the Mweni Mountain Marathon.
‘The sheer magnitude of the Drakensberg mountains, compared to the massive drops between them and walking over them day after day reminded me of how small I am.’ said Dan of his traverse experience.
Along with his school mates Kai Broom and Jarred van Alphen, Dan is planning a coastal hiking adventure soon.
Born for adventure to a family who love hiking and sailing, Dan chose sailing lessons over an eighth birthday party. Since then, he has completed the instructor’s course and makes time for training and racing. This passion for sailing may in part have inspired Daniel’s aspiration of studying Marine Technology in the Netherlands after school.
Lotus FM listeners will hear from Daniel today (Tuesday, 2 May 2023 at 16h30) when he will be interviewed live on radio.
You can learn more about this epic Drakensberg Grand Traverse when the documentary flights around mid-May. With footage recorded by one of the hikers, Ethan Lundy, Barry Smit is compiling this film. View the trailer here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri23cQ3YFVk
Read Shaun Robertson's account of this 250 km Drakensberg hike; https://howickvillage.co.za/news/3628-treverton-college-kids-complete-the-250-km-drakensberg-grand-traverse
Pictured above: Daniel Jonck (Image credit Jen Townsend)
Pictured below: Drakensberg landscape (Image credit Kean Broom)
