Champagne Castle, Mountain summit in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Champagne Castle is a mountain summit in the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg range in KwaZulu-Natal that reaches 3,377 meters. The climbing routes wind through narrow valleys and across rocky terrain, where climbers encounter steep slopes and scattered boulders.
The mountain was named after a champagne picnic held by British officers at the summit during wartime. The Keith Bush memorial near Mhlwazini River marks the memory of a climber who perished while ascending these slopes.
The surrounding area contains numerous San rock art paintings, representing the largest collection of such ancient artworks found across the African continent.
The trek begins at Monks Cowl Forestry Station and runs through the valley to Blind Man's Corner. From there it continues over Grey's Pass to reach the summit, though weather can shift rapidly at any point.
The mountain experiences dramatic weather shifts with summer blizzards occurring despite its location in South Africa's subtropical zone. These sudden conditions make it one of the more hazardous peaks in the region.
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