Spitzkoppe
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Spitzkoppe and the Pontok Mountains
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Spitzkoppe from rear |
Early morning summer clouds over
the Gross Spitzkoppe and Pontok Mountains |
Welcome to Spitzkoppe |
About
25km west of Usakos traveling on the B2 road to Swakopmund you will see
the Spitzkoppe rising an impressive 1728 m above the
surrounding gravel plains. Most
self drive tourists are unaware of the attractions of the
Spitzkoppe area and
speed right past. You need to budget at least 4 hours, with a planned
overnight camp being the ideal, as the best times for photographs are
following sunrise and just before sunset in the summer months when the
sun is well on the south side of the rock formation. The rocks reflect
deep reds with sharp contrasting shadows.
The formation of Spitzkoppe happened about 130 million years ago during a time when the ancient
continent of Gondwana
was separating to form the continents of
Africa and South America. Many areas of Namibia experienced volcanic
activity and it is at this time that the intrusion of magma to
become known as the Damaraland Rock Complex thrust its way upwards
through the older Damara Sequence that had formed between 760 to 460
million year ago. At the time of the magma intrusion and cooling
within the surrounding rock, the peak of the Spitzkoppe would have
been below the then ground-surface-level. The ongoing erosion
of 130 million years have reduced the level of the surrounding, and
softer rocks to present day ground levels. This process is called Inselberg formation and the Spitzkoppe area has many of
these worn into interesting shaped rock forms.
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Sapling rooted in cracks |
Whale ashore |
Chimney |
Fingers or toes? |
Rock arch |
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The
surrealistic rock shapes at the Spitzkoppe are on a massive scale. The
sand-laden desert winds have, over millions of years, sculptured
and polished the shapes which make for an unusual selection of
pictures, and there's plenty more. And
in the midst of all of this apparently harsh and strange world you
will find an abundance of life forms that have adapted. You will find
places where trees grow seemingly defiant out from the thin cracks in
the rock faces. their fine root systems penetrating deep into the rock
fissures where they collect moisture.
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And next ? |
Perfect frame |
Rock bridge |
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There is a
secluded area nestled about one hundred meters up on the eastern
end of the Pontok Mountains known as 'The Bushman's Paradise'.
There are lengths of chain fixed to the sloping rock face to
assist climbers while making their way up the smooth granite
surface. The view from the top across the desert plains is
reward enough, but if you're lucky and your visit coincides with
the rainy season you will be treated to an understanding of why
this place is named so. You'll see mini waterfalls and pools
which are such a luxury in a rocky desert. Trees and flowers
bloom and the wildlife will have some respite from the heat and
drought, and you climbed and saw
it all. Sadly many of the Bushmen paintings in this area have been vandalized. The
below selection are from what is referred to as 'The Small
Bushmen's Paradise' which is easy to access and is to the north
of the Pontok Mountains by the Spitzkoppe. It's well signed and
the rock overhang allows for an amount of shade allowing for
good photographs.
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View from the shelf |
After the rains |
Hunters ? |
Rhino |
Camp Site |
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Third
Rock from the Sun? The local Damara Community manage the site. For a reasonable fee you can camp over night at designated areas amongst the
rocks. It's quiet and remote and as you sit down and watch the setting sun
light-up the rocks, you'll know that you really are on the 'third rock
from the sun'.
Acknowledgements and further reading: G1, H12, P1
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Local Area Attractions
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►
Bull's Party
►
Philipp's Cave
► Paula Cave
► Karibib | Usakos
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