Dear Philip and Christeen,

Happy New Year.   I hope this e-mail finds you well and enjoying summer.  It's a bit chilly here, but the sun is shining.  Jeff and I are well and still hiking.   We've been reviewing our adventures in 2007 and our time in the Southern Drakensberg was top of list.  We've had fun recounting our adventures at the premier's trout fishing camp, hiking through the snow, horseback riding among the interesting rock formations, the young Lesotho shepherds and coming upon Philips 'garden spot'.  What a grand adventure! 

Take care and best wishes for 2008.  Hope you have the opportunity to share the beauty of the Southern Drakensberg with many others.

Nancy and Jeff

Dear Philip,

Just a quick note to tell you that we had a safe journey home and are now back in Hamburg. It'll be a few days before I can write to you more extensively, but I thought I'd drop you a line so that you know that we haven't forgotten you - how could we! It was such a marvellous day we spent up in the mountains - clearly one the highlights of the entire trip to ZA. Thank you again for your masterly guidance and untiring willingness to explain everything to us, from flora and fauna to the history of the Basotho, the current situation of your host country etc.

When I get round to it, I'll mail you some of the photographs we took although I am sure you get swamped with snapshots from many of the people you go hiking with.

Lots of love from Niels & Maike

Dear Philip,

I hope this message finds you well and rested. The three of us have arrived home safely and are catching up on the week's work. I was so delighted to find the hiking report this morning when I checked my email. Thank you so very much for that. I also hope that James will take heed of your advice at the end of the report. :)

As for you my friend- I must tell you that you are one of the most amazing guides I have ever had the privilege of meeting. You are simply a magnificent human being, friend, guide, and teacher. I know that journeys such as the one we made can be the trip of a lifetime or can be the worst experience of your life depending on whether you have a guide that is knowledgeable, compassionate, and motivating- and you broke the record at all three.

I will always have a deep love of those mountains and fond memories and photos to see. You gave us one of the greatest gifts by sharing with us the beauty and magnificence of the mountains and the Basotho culture. You also reminded us all of what life is really about. And for that Philip, I consider us all to be better people for.

I hope that our paths should cross again someday. I also hope and pray that I can live my life in a way that allows me to embrace the lessons and insights that you helped me discover during my few days with you.

I also hope to find myself with your stamina, good nature, and love of life too.

Take care of yourself,

Pinky

Hi Philip,

Just dropping you a line to express again my gratitude for an absolutely amazing 3 days we spent in the Berg about a month ago! It was definitely one of the highlights of my holiday. I thoroughly enjoyed being in nature and I also really enjoyed the conversations we had with the three of us. I cannot stop raving about it to my friends really. On my trip in SA I have recommended you to several people, hope they have contacted you.

I will definitely come back some day to undoubtedly have another amazing experience! Thanks so much

Carla.

Hi Philip,

Its Kim, remember me? You took my friend Emily and me into Lesotho, back in May. I’m the one who had just come from climbing the Column.

I just wanted to write and say hello, and to thank you for such a wonderful trip. You truly made that trip meaningful for me, and provided such great information, conversation, and company!

I’m back in the US now, and although it’s good to be back in the familiar, I miss Africa and all the wonderful memories I made there. I hope to make it back in the future, and would love to get back into the Drakensberg!

Hope the winter is bringing generous snowfall and fun adventures!

Thank you again! Cheers

Kim