Pieter Both, Mountain summit in Moka Range, Mauritius
Pieter Both is a mountain summit in the Moka Range, on the island of Mauritius, rising to around 820 meters. A large rounded rock sits naturally balanced at the very top, giving the mountain a shape that stands out clearly against the sky.
The first recorded ascent took place in 1790, when Claude Peuthe and a porter reached the top using specialized equipment. That climb is considered the starting point of organized mountaineering on the island.
The mountain appears in local stories about supernatural beings said to live on its remote slopes. These tales are still passed down today and shape how people on the island talk about and relate to this place.
The route starts near a football field in the village of La Laura and passes through sections that require safety equipment and some climbing experience. Going with someone who knows the trail well is a good idea for anyone attempting it for the first time.
The rounded rock at the top is nearly impossible to spot from directly below, but from a distance it clearly resembles a head resting on the mountain. The angle from which you look at it changes the shape quite noticeably, which is why many visitors prefer to photograph it from further away.
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