The Branberg Mountains - situated in the heart of the Namibian
desert - threw every challenge it could at us and lived up to
its notorious reputation: at 2.600 metres high with temperatures
in the 40's and rucksacks loaded with 35/40 kilos – the weight
of a typical under-counter family fridge – it posed a challenge
to the team that bordered on 'impossible'. The team of 6
business leaders with a leadership team of mountain and medical
specialists took on the challenge with courage and
determination. Over a period of 5 days, they toiled together to
cross the mountain range up a route that had rarely been
visited. Their resilience was to be tested to the full and the
expedition medic had his work cut out to keep the guys in one
piece so that they could complete the challenge and return in
one piece to safely.
At one of the toughest stage, the team struggled to find a way
throughout giant boulders blocking the gorge which was their
escape route off the mountain. Fortunately, the British Mountain
Guide – Harold Edwards – was able to move into action. With
slick rope work, he was able to bring his many years of mountain
experience to the problem and lower the team to safety before
abseiling off a block to escape himself.
Just as they thought their troubles were over, a leopard sprung
out in front of them from the track that they were following and
narrowly missed taking one of the team to an early grave.
The team were euphoric on attaining their goal and amazed about how much
adventure you can cram into one week. Their survival was testament to
great team work and an utter determination as a team to succeed.
A great example of a high performance team in action.
In the words of one of the team -
"I loved every minute of the expedition. I’m still struggling to find
the right word(s) to describe the experience. Hike , trek, climb,
expedition…….none of them impart the extreme nature of the experience
that we all shared. People at work ask the same questions: “what was it
like and would you do it again?” My answers are simple: “it was
everything I’d hoped it would be, only much, much harder” and “yes, I’d
do it again in a heartbeat.”
Kobus the Namibian Mountain Guide
"How much we grow will depend not only on the quality of our experience, but will depend on the quality of our reflections upon these experiences" - Beyond Adventure, Colin Mortlock
