Catherine Scales Rhino Peak Challenge, Raising Thousands for Conservation!

Photo Credit: Supplied

Against the breathtaking backdrop of the Maloti-Drakensberg landscape, Catherine Kühn set her sights on the formidable Rhino Peak – and with grit and determination against harsh elements, she rose to the challenge and conquered it!

Maloti-Drakensberg Park, South Africa (30 September 2025) – The 3,056m Rhino Peak at the Maloti-Drakensberg Park was for Catherine Kühn to conquer, and she did just that!

This was her first time at the Rhino Peak Challenge (RPC), which proved to be a test of endurance that pushed her far beyond any trail she had faced before.

Good Things Guy caught up with Catherine fresh from her icy mountaineering trip, which she describes as the kind of journey that should “never be underestimated by any means”.

“This year’s RPC was thwarted by adverse weather, and on the actual race day, on the morning of Saturday, 20 September, 42 ambassadors began the gruelling ascent to reach the summit.

“Strong winds, rain and lightning meant that the race organiser had to make the difficult call to turn us all back about 3km before reaching the summit. The safety of the ambassadors came first, and it was indeed a good call. The rain made everyone freeze and soaked to the core; it made the scree slope, scrambling section very slippery and dangerous, and lightning in the Drakensberg is not something you take chances with,” Catherine recalls.

She shared that the most challenging moment was not being able to reach the peak after all her preparation, fundraising and training! However, this also led to her biggest highlight.

“I decided to go up the following day with two other ambassadors – my travelling arrangements meant that I had some time on the Sunday morning to attempt the peak.

“On Sunday, the weather was good and the three of us started up at 5am. At 08:45 we had reached the summit. The hike is tough, it demands endurance, stamina and dedication, but I was very grateful for my training, and I was okay with the altitude difference. The view is unbelievable from up there, and looking down from the top, you can see the very long hike back down to the base and believe me, it looks incredibly far!”
Related Story
Relive Sacha's Throwback Video Before His Springbok Record

Over the two days, she hiked a total of 38km and achieved an elevation of 2,645m.

The ambassadors collectively raised almost R1.8 million, exceeding last year’s amount raised for conservation projects aimed at protecting Cranes, Vultures and Rhino.

“As an ambassador for the Endangered Wildlife Trust, I was indeed thrilled to have been a part of this effort and managed to raise R39,500 thanks to my donors.

“There is a goal to surpass each previous year’s fundraising amount, and we managed to do this. And over the last 10 years of the RPC, since its inception, it has raised R10 million for conservation,” Catherine explains.

Asked whether she would do it again, the thrill seeker says the experience not only improved her fitness but also allowed her to be part of an important conservation purpose under the banner of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, where she is employed.

“So, in a heartbeat, yes, I would do it all again. I am already looking forward to next year’s event, and am already plotting my training plan, reviewing my race fuel, and looking into a more durable rain jacket (in case we get bad weather again!), but hopefully RPC2026 will be great weather!”