backpacking | Andrew Harvard Photography

On Tuesday morning, 24 March 2015 I woke up before sunrise and headed up the hill to the top of Mt. Thesiger at around this spot GPS: -31.603330, 29.527454 Port St John’s.

I set up my Canon South Africa camera from Orms (6D & 17-40mm L lens) and tripod in anticipation of the forthcoming sunrise. The river lodges were some 300 m or more below and could faintly see their lights through the mist or low clouds.

It was calm, peaceful and dead quiet except for the medium-size predatory birds that were circling the mountain and squawking at each other. Every so often they would fly fairly close and it was amazing to hear their wings “woof – woofing” through the air.

The view across to Mt Sullivan on the other side of the river was glorious to say the least for about three minutes or less at one point of the sunrise. The sun then “disappeared” but not completely, although there was no more golden light forcing through the somewhat thick clouds.

The accompanying photo is a panoramic-stitch of two separate photos, which takes one’s eyes in a westerly direction or so up the mighty Umzimvubu River, which I traced on a map all the way up to the Lesotho border.

The photo was originally going to be called Phillips’ View but was then changed to “Beyond the Gates of Port St John’s”. Settings F11, ISO 320 & 0.4 sec. Stitching done via LR export into PS. Outspan Inn
Where’s my backpack? Amapondo Backpackers Amapondo backpackers Port St Johns Cremorne Estate, Port St Johns, Port St Johns Spottedgrunterresort Port St Johns ‪#‎landscape‬ ‪#‎canon‬ ‪#‎canonsouthafrica‬ ‪#‎transkei‬ ‪#‎nature‬ ‪#‎hills‬ ‪#‎valleys‬

“The setting of Port St Johns is possibly the most dramatic in the country and the drive from Umtata to Port St Johns is one of the best journeys on the Wild Coast. The Umzimvubu River cuts a huge gorge right to the sea where it then squeezes between the river’s edge and the red stone cliffs of the gorge. Twin mountains, the Thesiger and Sullivan, lie on either side of the river mouth like bastions and are regarded as the gates of Port St Johns” ~ SA Venues

After the great seafood feast (prawn & calamari combo with chips and salad ZAR 85.00!!) and filter coffee at Amapondo Backpackers the previous evening, it was easy to get up before sunrise the next day for this photo shoot. PS – the hot chocolate is also super at Amapondo backpackers Port St Johns.

Canon South Africa 6D from Orms, 17-40mm, F11, 0.6 sec, ISO 320, 2 image pano stitch

Travelstart South Africa Where’s my backpack? SA-People – for South Africans in South Africa and expats #amapondo #portstjohns #transkei

Port St John South Africa