The towering basalt peaks of the Drakensberg Escarpment, forming the eastern boundary between Lesotho and South Africa, are incredibly rugged and beautiful. Formed some 180 million years ago, these mountains have captivated my attention. Mostly accessible on foot, the mountains hold many secrets I wish to discover and photograph in ways that portray the true essence of this mountainous wonderland. In the northern areas near Tugela Falls, sheer vertical cliffs drop off more than 800 meters straight down. Standing on these edges will make you feel like you are on top of the world. Ninety-five percent of the images I have captured from the Drakensberg have been through backpacking, walking endless miles, and wild camping to be in the perfect location to capture the dramatic features during the best times of day.

I have experienced the harshest and calmest weather imaginable here. I’ve visited in the height of mid-summer and frigid winter. I’ve been tent-bound for days due to excessive rain, held onto my tent for hours under severe storms, and witnessed waterfalls where waterfalls are never seen. I’ve experienced winter snowfall and relentless winds, incredibly dramatic cloud inversions, and stunning sunrises and sunsets. I’ve also experienced the quietest, calmest moments I have ever had in nature, where my ears would buzz it was so quiet.

The Drakensberg is a paradox of moments—immense, wild, and severe, yet also restful, healing, and refreshing.